South Gloucestershire Council, in partnership with Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust, has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to help restore Winterbourne Medieval Barn.
Development funding of £165,000 has been awarded to help South Gloucestershire Council and the Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust (WMBT) progress proposals to apply for further funding before December 2017. The total amount of grant funding applied for to support the project will be £1,045,000 (including this initial development funding).
Winterbourne Medieval Barn is a building of national importance and is Grade II listed. Built in 1342, the barn is a unique survival of the medieval agrarian economy. It was commissioned by Thomas de Bradeston, who was Lord of the Manor of Winterbourne from 1328 until his death in 1360. After the accession of Edward III he became attached to the royal service, taking part in all of Edward’s military campaigns as well as frequently serving in parliament.
If the bid is successful, the funding would be used to restore, refurbish and find new uses for the 14th Century Court Farm Barn and associated outbuildings, ensuring its long-term sustainability in the heart of the local community. A heritage education centre would also be created to demonstrate the history of the barn and its architecture as well as information about the local area. Overall, the complex would provide flexible spaces for a variety of community, educational and commercial uses.
Communities Committee Chair Cllr Heather Goddard said: “We are grateful for the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund to fund the development of this exciting project which will help preserve the buildings and create educational opportunities.
“It is great to know that we are now a step closer to renovating the barn so that future generations can continue to enjoy it.”
Sue Parsons, Chairman of WMBT, said: “Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust is delighted with the award of the HLF Development Grant. It will help us to secure the future of this magnificent building. It will also help us to develop the complex into a valuable Community Asset and during this important development phase we would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in the project. The Trust needs to raise an additional £400,000 to see the project through to completion.”
Nerys Watts, Head of HLF South West, said: “Winterbourne is one of England’s great surviving medieval barns that can tell us a lot about the history and development of this area. Thanks to National Lottery players, today’s investment will help develop plans to breathe new life into this historic building and marks the start of an exciting journey to bring the barn into much wider community use. We look forward to seeing how the project develops over the coming months.”
The barn is an outstanding example of a raised-cruck construction, one of the largest and earliest of its kind, and the original roof structure remains largely intact. The barn, church and hamlet were designated as a conservation area by South Gloucestershire Council in 2005.
