The Humble Stone Trough: From Useful Work Aid to Ornamental Design.

The stone trough is a familiar sight in many gardens, but its history and uses are surprisingly varied. These troughs were originally used for watering livestock, but they have found a new life in contemporary gardens as planters, birdbaths, and even water features.

Stone troughs are made from a variety of materials, including granite, limestone, and slate. They are often simple in design, with a rectangular or oval basin.

Stone troughs were once an essential part of any farm. They were used to provide livestock with water to drink, and they could also be used to mix feed or to bathe animals. With the advent of modern plumbing, stone troughs have become less common in agriculture.

However, stone troughs have become increasingly popular in recent years as a garden feature. Their timeless design and natural materials make them a perfect complement to any garden style. Stone troughs can be used in a variety of ways in the garden. Here are a few ideas:

• Planter: Stone troughs are a great way to add height and interest to a flower bed. They can be planted with a variety of flowers, herbs, or even small shrubs.
• Birdbath: Birds need a place to drink and bathe, and a stone trough can provide the perfect spot. Just be sure to add a few stones to the bottom of the trough so that birds of all sizes can easily reach the water.
• Water feature: A stone trough can be used to create a beautiful and relaxing water feature in your garden. Simply add a small pump and some aquatic plants. The sound of bubbling water can be very soothing.

Stone troughs are a versatile and attractive addition to any garden. With a little creativity, you can find a way to use a stone trough in your own garden.

The 2 pictured below can be found near the township of Warley, in the suburbs of Halifax, West Yorkshire. The lions head trough now more of a garden display than a useful watering aid is on the roadside of Stock Lane heading in to Warley from Highroad Well. The second trough is on Water Hill Lane heading down from Warley towards Sowerby Bridge.

The pictures were taken with a Nikon d3300 SLR on the 9th June 2024. Clicking either of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green photography store on Zazzle.

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A Silent Witness on Stocks Lane: The Forgotten Horse Trough of Luddenden

In the charming, ancient village of Luddenden, a small stone structure on Stocks Lane tells a story of a world long gone. At first glance, it might look like a simple, overgrown planter built into a stone wall. But this is no ordinary garden feature; it is a stone horse trough, a silent, weathered monument to the days when horsepower meant exactly that.

Before the age of the automobile, these troughs were a vital part of the landscape. They were strategically placed in towns and villages across the country to provide water for horses, dogs, and sometimes even cattle. Today, most have vanished, removed as they became obsolete. The fact that a dozen or so still survive in the Calderdale district is a testament to their enduring construction and a poignant reminder of a time when the rhythm of life was measured by hoofbeats, not horsepower.

When the photos were taken in October 2013, the trough on Stocks Lane was a perfect example of this forgotten history. It was largely overgrown, with soil, bushes, and plants reclaiming the space where water once flowed freely. The trough was no longer fed by a steady stream, its purpose having faded into memory. But look closer, and a fascinating detail emerges. Tucked away at the back of the trough is a worn stone engraving. It is a tribute to William Patchett, a local carpenter and undertaker. The inscription also includes the year 1861 and the word "surveyor," leaving us with a small historical mystery. Was the inscription a memorial to a man who had passed away that year? Or was it a thank you to him for providing such a crucial resource to the community? We may never know the full story, but the inscription adds a deeply personal layer to this forgotten structure. The stone horse trough on Stocks Lane is a beautiful and simple piece of local history. It's a reminder that even the most ordinary objects from the past can hold compelling stories, if only we take the time to look for them. It stands as a quiet tribute to the animals that once worked these streets and the people who built our communities, one stone at a time.

Clicking on the images below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green photography store on Zazzle.

Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Clickasnap and Photo4Me using the links below. Your support means a lot!

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.