Inside look at dovecote

The 'doo-cot' dates from the mid 1800s and was crumbling when it was rescued from Wilstrop Hall, Kirk Hammerton, and rebuilt at the museum in 1984.

Since then, it has mainly been used for storage. But now its curators have been struck by the historical interest in the interior and are cleaning it up for public access.

The draft information for it says: "In Britain, there may have been dovecotes during the Roman period, though it is widely accepted that they rose to prominence around the 12th century, after the Norman invasion.

"Doves and pigeons were kept as much more than pets; as well as laying eggs for food they were a source of fresh meat throughout the year.

"Their feathers were used to stuff mattresses and even their droppings were useful! As well as being in demand for fertiliser, the manure was used in the tanning of leather and, from the 16th century, to provide saltpetre which was used to make gunpowder.

"During the 18th century, the introduction of root vegetables (such as the turnip) meant food could be kept in storage to sustain livestock throughout the year. Consequently, dovecotes were no longer as important and their use began to decline."

The Yorkshire Museum of Farming is at Murton Park. See www.murtonpark.co.uk/ or call 01904 489966.

CW 19/6/10