19th century shelter shed at Peyton Hall (EHER 49231)

An eight bay open-sided timber-framed implement shelter with one closed bay added to the north, dated to about 1800.

January 2019. Level 3 building survey. An eight bay open-sided timber-framed implement shelter with one closed bay added to the north. Bays 1-5 (about 1800) form a coherent frame, albeit made from several other frames each with different characteristics and a selection of carpenter’s marks. Bays 1 to 5 are randomly numbered but all the marks are roman numerals. Most of the truss posts have jowls but not all and there is a variety of tie-beams and braces. Unlike the frame, the fully hipped roof structure is of one design with paired elm rafters pegged at the apex and collars morticed into the principal rafter pairs. Map evidence suggests that the building was not in place in 1777 but may have been in 1805 when an enclosure is shown on the Ordnance Survey map. The 1840 Tithe Map shows two buildings while there is only the present one by 1876. Bays 6 and 7 are definitely added and are marked up with completely different carpenter’s marks. This would mean the roof was partly disassembled and the hip moved to Bay 7. In the same period but later than Bays 6 and 7, Bay 8 was added. The original hipped roof was boarded over, probably to create a secure store but also to strengthen the roof which was originally thatched. Bay 8 had a pole roof. Pole construction was very popular in the Victorian High Farming period. The building was extensively repaired in 1986. The thatched roof was replaced with an Onduline covering with many new rafters and new battens. The western wall was boarded out with reused vertical boards and old stable doors. The roof was supported with additional V braces. Bay 2 had the top-plate removed and a curved one installed so that the 1967-9 Nuffield tractor could get in with its cab on. Bay 2 was laid to concrete for this purpose. <1>