Copyright: Conservation Team, Northumberland County Council

Conservation Team, Northumberland County Council

1575



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Pin Well


Description:  Wishing well. (1)
A wishing well whereby if a crooked pin was dropped into the water the wish would be fulfilled. (2)
According to ancient custom lovers go to the well at midnight and, after bending and throwing a pin into the water, they wish for a speedy marriage or some other lover-like wish.
A custom in connection with this well took place on May Day when a procession was formed and marched from the town to this spot, where a halt was called and each of the processionists dropped a crooked pin into it, wishing a wish. (3)

Site status:

Country:  England

County:  Northumberland

District:  BERWICK UPON TWEED

Parish:  WOOLER

Named Location:  Pin Well

Grid Reference:   NT986270

Map Reference:  [EPSG:27700] 398600, 627000

Period:  UNKNOWN

Subject:  STRUCTURE, WELL

Identifiers: 
[ADS] Depositor Id: 1575
[ADS] Import RCN: NSMR03-1575

People Involved: 
[Publisher] Conservation Team, Northumberland County Council

Bibliographic References: 

  • Monthly Chronicle 1888 (290) (3)
  • Balfour and Thomas, 1904. County Folklore, vol 4. (6) (3)
  • Henderson, W, 1866. Folklore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders (1973) (2)
  • Newcastle Daily Journal, North Country Notes, 26-Jan-1893 (3)
  • OS 1:10,000 1979 (1)