Historicaleigh: The Churchyard Well

December 12, 2016 by Carole Mulroney

In 1932 a deep hole was discovered in Leigh churchyard which at first was thought to be the entrance to an old vault and some even thought might lead to an underground passage used by smugglers.

However, neither suggestion was true, it was in fact the old well that in days gone by had been the ordinary water supply for the folks of Leigh. There was a time when that particular part of the churchyard was the site of the parish pound and the stocks, and the well was there to water cattle.

The well used to be about 20 feet deep but eventually became filled up. When it became disused it was covered with a stone top but this had disappeared when the hole was found. After the discovery of the hole it was covered again so as not to present a hazard.