Nineteenth century wheat barn, Roundbush Farm (EHER 81690)

A mid 19th century timber framed 'wheat barn' on a brick plinth of unusual dimensions. The building is weatherboarded and covered in modern corrugated metal. The frame is of six bays, with a wider threshing floor in the third bay from the west, which has large doorways front and back. The building abuts EHER 81691.

January 2001. Heritage assessment. A mid 19th century 'wheat barn'. This, or a building of the same size, appears in its present position on all the 19th century maps, and possibly on Chapman and Andre's map published in 1777. It is described as the 'Wheat Barn' in the insurance valuations of 1822, 1825 and 1845. In 1822 it was valued at £250. In 1825 the insurance value had increased to a startling £400 (though more or less in line with the other valuations), and was still £400 in 1845. Throughout this period it was described as timber and thatched. An earlier insurance policy, dated 1783, refers to the wheat barn as tiled (and worth £100), although this may relate to an earlier barn on the same site. The present barn is of light-scantling machine-sawn timber, built on an unusually high plinth of 13" brickwork, narrowing to 9" immediately under the groundsills. It is weatherboarded, with some secondary brick and board infill. The present roof covering is corrugated metal. The frame is of six bays, with a wider threshing floor in the third bay from the west, which has large doorways front and back. The wall-framing is in the usual 19th century utilitarian style, and in the apex of the west gable is a vertically-barred vent. The importance of ventilating stored crops, especially if they were not very dry, was well-understood: the 1783 insurance policy covers against fire, but specifically exempts 'any Loss or Damage that may arise from the natural heating of the Hay Straw or Corn'. Essentially the barn has survived intact from its first construction, but there have been a few alterations. The east end has had its tiebeam and some of its original wall-framing replaced. A ledged and boarded door has been inserted high up in the north east corner, for access to a now-missing inserted loft. Two openings of different widths have been made at ground level, piercing the brick plinth, both leading into the mid 19th century engine building EHER 81691. Elsewhere, the hanging knees of the large north doorway have been replaced by straight braces and the south doorway now has modem sliding doors. There is a small fixed window in the south wall. The floor is of concrete and the roof covering of corrugated metal. The carpentry features are consistent with a 19" century date, but it is difficult to be more precise. The construction methods suggest a mid 19th century date. <1> See photos <2>.