Picket well

Hi Nigel,

I was intrigued by this as well when I saw it a few years ago. As Pete says picket is a military thing and another definition relates to a rifle bullet conoidal in shape but I think a well being named after a bullet is taking it a bit far.

Any chance it could be a corruption of piskie, pixie or something similar? Again it’s a long shot but covering a well to guard it from the little people makes more sense to me than any military connection.

Is Hampshire a superstitious county?

Found this image of it online

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/417413

Interesting a google search brings up a Robin Hood Picket Well in Yorkshire (but with no image) although a search on Robin Hood Well shows that one of them does have a cover but different to yours.

http://britannia.com/tours/rhood/rhwella1.html

Phil

Phil Carlisle

Data Standards Supervisor

English Heritage

National Monuments Record Centre

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Swindon

SN2 2GZ

+44 (0)1793 414824

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-----Original Message-----
From: Issues related to Historic Environment Records [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Iles, Peter
Sent: 03 October 2007 09:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Picket well

Nigel,

Could the site be associated with horses, the military or a county militia and the name be related to use rather than form?

'Picket' is a military term used for an outlying sentry or watch group, outpost, etc. This presumably derived from the use of the word as 'a peg to tie your horse to' and related to the use of mounted soldiers to do this duty (presumably so they could gallop back to camp, fall off and shout 'injuns' before expiring with several arrows protruding from their torso - sorry I couldn't think of an equally facile European example). Equally it could just be where folk tied their horses up so they could try and make them drink ...

Pete Iles

-----Original Message-----
From: jill hind [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 03 October 2007 09:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Picket well

I have never come across the term, but there area couple of wells in south Oxfordshire which sound similar in design. I would be interested to see your photo and could provide some if they are alike.

Jill Hind

[log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: Issues related to Historic Environment Records [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Pratt, Nigel
Sent: 02 October 2007 14:34
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Picket well

Hi Folks
Has anyone ever come across the term 'picket well'? The structure in question is about 8 feet high, made of brick and conically shaped (not unlike a bottle kiln) with a small wooden door at the bottom. It first appears on the third edition OS map, which in this part of Hampshire would date it to pre-1925.

Does the term merely mean a protected well or is there more to it? I haven't actually seen it but can email a photo to anyone interested.

Any help gratefully received.
Many thanks
Nigel

Nigel Pratt
Historic Data Manager
Archaeology & Historic Buildings
Landscape Planning and Heritage Group
Hampshire House
84-98 Southampton Road
Eastleigh
Hampshire SO50 5PA

E-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/landscape-and-heritage/historic-environment.htm

Tel: 023 8038 3433 Fax: 023 8038 3353

Please note that I will be leaving Hampshire County Council on 19th October. General enquiries by email should be sent to [log in to unmask]

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