Mid to late 20th century stables and loose box, Hyde Farm, Gosfield Road (EHER 80330)

Two brick-built mid to late 20th century stables with split doors and a third divided space to the SE, probably used as a loose box. The Northernmost stable is now used for cutting and storing wood. The Southernmost stable was most recently used as a workshop. The walls are lined with shelves, spot lights, tool boards, nails used as hooks and an old Milford grinding machine with electric motor.

December 2018. Heritage assessment. It is apparent that the whole farmyard was given over to stabling in the mid to late 20th century. Two brick-built stables with split doors were added along the Southern perimeter, infilling the remaining space in the yard, and creating a third divided space to the SE, probably used as a loose box. These have low pitch corrugated roofs. A former exit to the South has been closed off with blockwork. The historic mapping indicates that the units were preceded by a brick-built structure on the site of the existing brick stable (adjacent to the pond), which was built between 1897 and 1924 and was in place until at least 1971. It was demolished and replaced by the existing units, most probably in the 1970s or early 1980s when horse riding was very popular and affordable, to provide space for more horses. The wood store. Originally built as a stable, this cell shows evidence of having been used to keep pigs, owing to its timber walls having been 'armoured' with corrugated steel. None of the original stable fittings remain, and the building is now used for cutting and storing wood. The wood store abuts the South elevation of the listed 'West stable'. The workshop. Originally built as a stable, this cell was most recently used as a workshop. The walls are lined with shelves, spot lights, tool boards, nails used as hooks and an old Milford grinding machine with electric motor. A solitary Stanley knife hangs on the North wall which is composed of offcuts of late 20th century machined timber and plywood, and is shuttered with corrugated iron. There is the remains of a corner manger and a galvanised tethering ring. The unit occupies the original South entrance to the farmyard. It is bound to the West by a 19th century flint and brick wall, to the South by the farmyard's blockwork perimeter wall and to the East by a short wall of red bricks bonded in hard grey cement which creates the loose box. A second section of brick wall projects Northwards to form the East elevation of the wood store. <1>