THE country’s only remaining 14th century storage barn is set to be transformed into a medieval mecca for artisans.
Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust is planning to revitalise the ancient building, which dates back to the time of the Great Plague, by inviting local crafters to run courses on site.
The barn would become a skills centre of traditional techniques such as carpentry, weaving and pottery making it once again a hive of activity in the village.
Ali Dent looked around Winterbourne’s ‘best kept secret’.
IF the recession has brought any good tidings in Britain, it has helped us to draw on our own resources.
Strapped for cash, we have started thinking what we can make for ourselves or grow on our own using methods reminiscent of a forgotten era.
Winterbourne Medieval Barn has the space and setting for people to learn these traditional skills and the trust which runs it hopes the historic building will become as important now as it was in its heyday.
Trust chairman Richard Spalding said: "We aim to breathe new life into the barn.
"We want to get the place working again. It will never be a working farm again because most of the land has been sold off but we are looking to create a centre for rural regeneration.
"We are turning full circle thinking of the local potential of growing things and resources, which more and more people are interested in during the current climate."
The trust has planning permission to rebuild six craft units in outbuildings and it is hoped people with skills from a bygone age, such as potters, woodworkers and weavers, will use the facilities.
The barn is now recognised as one of South Gloucestershire’s most important buildings but it has taken more than two decades of campaigning to save the structure.
Gloucestershire County Council put the barn up for auction and it was bought by developers who wanted to convert the building into modern apartments.
After Avon County Council dissolved, South Gloucestershire Council and English Heritage restored the barn and it has now been taken off the ‘at risk’ register.
Trustee and campaigner Kathleen Marsh said: "Having a historic building on the ‘at risk’ register brings shame on any local authority.
"We shamed the council into doing something and now we want as many people to come here as possible and discover Winterbourne’s best kept secret."
The barn itself was thought to be the largest of its kind when it was built in 1342 by the De Bradeston family, who owned neighbouring Winterbourne Court.
The agricultural barn was used to store wheat and barley and for cider production.
"Every other barn like this one collapsed, for whatever reason, but because of the grade 1 soil here, this barn stayed standing," said Mr Spalding, a geography teacher at the University of the West of England.
"It is a fantastic building and it would have been a tragedy if it was turned into houses.
"This is a building of national importance."
The trust is also planning to launch corporate community volunteers, which will see local businesses send staff on workdays at the barn to learn new skills and lend a hand.
The barn is now open for the 2009 season, which will include the first Winterbourne Medieval Fair on Saturday, June 27 (2-9pm). Re-enacters will help set the scene for a traditional craft and food fair with fun for all the family.
Other events include heritage open days in September, a harvest day in October and a talk by church historian Sally Badham on the Bradestons at Winterbourne Church next month.
The first event to take place is a basket-making workshop on Tuesday, April 28 (9.30am-4.30pm). Call 01454 778436 to book a place. th
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