Joseph Foord (1714-1788) was a farmer, surveyor and engineer, born in Fadmoor, and who is best known for constructing a series of water races that brought fresh water into a series of dry villages on the limestone hills. Foord realised that it was possible to construct gently sloping water races that could bring water from freshwater springs on the high moors to the north into these villages, and in around 1747 he built his first experimental water race. Foord’s great skill was in the choice of route, which eventually saw him construct seventy miles of water courses, many of which remained in use into the 20th century.