LEADER Grant News

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As we approach the end of the year, we’re preparing to go into hibernation ready for the start of the building works on Winterbourne Barn, its two ranges – the South and West Barn, and the outbuildings. We’re very pleased to announce the news of a grant from LEADER of £42,837, as part of the project to transform the Victorian cow byres and bring them back into use for local micro-businesses. The units will be let to small ventures including artisan trades, and this rental income will help secure the future of the whole Medieval Barn complex. LEADER is a fund jointly provided by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

 

We’ve been reflecting on a busy autumn here at the Barn. The ever popular Orchard Harvest Day saw 1200 visitors, enjoying the ferret racing, morris dancing, shanty singing, and all the other attractions, food, and drink. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make the day a great success once again. The Cartshed has seen a range of activities including a lecture from Jon Cannon on Cathedrals as Time Machines, a felting workshop with Felt by Fi, an evening Owl Prowl from the Hawk and Owl Trust, and local school St Michael’s joined us for two workshops on medieval life.

 

Orchard Harvest Day 2018

Orchard Harvest Day 2018

There’s still time to visit the barn before the end of the year with a host of festive activities seeing us through to December. See the Events page for more information.

 

We might be hibernating in the main barn but we certainly won’t be taking a holiday. We’ll be making full use of the recently renovated Cartshed to keep a programme of workshops, lectures, and nature walks alive throughout 2019. Keep an eye on the event page or our social media pages for up to date information. We’ll also be using this time to develop our education offer, and expand our volunteer team.

 

We are still fundraising to support this ambitious project, head over to the Fundraising page to see how you could help.

 

Barndoor Spring 2018

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The Barndoor Bulletin Spring 2018 can be found here with information on our current activities and events

Refurbishment Project

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Latest News

In March 2018 Winterbourne Medieval Barn was awarded £936,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a major refurbishment project that will secure the future of this iconic building for generations to come. The £1.76 million project will conserve and refurbish the historic barn and its adjacent buildings, enabling us to realise the full potential of this iconic building as a true community asset.

Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust (WMBT) is delighted with the funding provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as by other major funders including South Gloucestershire Council, The Garfield Weston Foundation, The Architectural Heritage Fund, The Country Houses Foundation and Hobson’s Charitable Trust. Smaller grants have also been received from a further 11 organisations and private donors, and a Crowdfunding campaign in 2017 raised £10,900 towards the project.

Next Steps

Work is now continuing to raise the remaining money needed to ensure the project is fully funded. Anyone interested in donating to the project or joining the volunteering team should contact us by emailing suep@winterbournebarn.org.uk or clicking the Support Us button.

When all the required funding has been raised, building work is planned to start early in 2019, with the redeveloped site expected to open the following year. Activities and events will be run both at the Barn and in the community whilst the building work is taking place, to enable visitors to continue to learn about the history of the barn and its surrounding environment as well as stay in touch with the project’s progress.

Our Vision

Our vision for Winterbourne Medieval Barn is to create a multi-purpose rural heritage venue which will celebrate the history and heritage of this extraordinary site and its environment, making them accessible to people of all ages. Past and present will come together through a range of memorable and diverse experiences and opportunities to participate.

Our Proposal

The project aims to restore the Winterbourne Barn, its two ranges – the South and West Barn – and associated outbuildings, creating new viable uses for the site through:

❖ preserving and providing access to a building of unique historical and architectural significance;

❖ establishing an outstanding visitor experience which captures people’s imagination by reconnecting them with their past through telling stories of the community, its buildings, crafts and traditions;

❖ creating a centre for education and learning about rural crafts helping keep these skills alive;

❖ reinstating its authentic use for “…theatricals, wedding feasts and all manner of rustic festivities” by creating a venue for conferencing, functions and celebrations;

❖ expanding its income-generating potential to secure its long-term future once and for all

Community Benefits

The refurbished Barn will become a focal point of the community, offering a range of activities designed to appeal to everyone. We are proposing to run learning sessions for schools; family-focused history themed events and children’s activity sessions; rural craft workshops;  music and theatre performances.

Cart Shed

The Cart Shed has recently been refurbished to create a Reception and Education Centre with the generous support of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.