The Horsehair Jack Trod

Distance: 9-miles (circular)
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If you were a plough boy out on the Wolds the last Ranger you would want to see trudging down the farm track was Horse Hair Jack, named so because the lad’s much coveted collection of horsehair was probably very unsafe!  

Upholsterers in the nearby towns of Malton and Driffield would pay up to 18d in old money for a pound of good horsehair.  The plough boys would comb the shire horses manes and tails and collect the hair to sell on, it was one of the very few perks of a hard life on the farm. Horse Hair Jack would spend hours meticulously searching the stables and saddle rooms for the secret stashes of horsehair hidden away by the plough boys, if unlucky, months of careful collections would be gone in an instant and Horse Hair Jack with them, off to Driffield to sell to the upholsterer!  

Winter was hard for the Rangers and no less for Horse Hair Jack, however, his remedy was to ensure a winter break at the pleasure of His Majesty and quite regularly arranged an offence, usually the illegal procurement of a goose, during the coldest months of the year.  However he usually managed to avoid the local bobby until after he had roasted his ill gotten goose at the Drumming Up, the regular communal feasts enjoyed by Rangers as they would cook and share the fruits of their poaching! 

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History

Wold Rangers Way