A Pound formed an essential part of village life in early times.  Not everyone may realise that the area immediately to the right of the village hall once housed the village Pound.  

The Pounds was circular with stone walls and was an enclosure for detaining stray or trespassing cattle, sheep and horses - and for keeping such cattle or goods until redeemed.   Any such seized animals had to be redeemed by their owners with a fine.

In the Compton Pound the pound-keeper or "Pinfolder" (a person in charge of a public pound), would have impounded any straying local animals found wandering the unmade roads of the day, and made a charge for their release.

The stream may have been crossed by stepping stones so that walkers could avoid the deep and mud filled ruts of the village. 

In all probability some nearby shanty would have been the pound-keeper's home where he lived.  

The Pound was most likely still in use in the 19th century. The pound is a treasured historical centre piece and today it provides an ideal location for the village Christmas tree to be displayed.