Building record 111/1/1 - Threshing barn

{1} A tall barn of squared coursed limestone with occasional ironstone blocks, with two large opposed doors in its longer sides - served as a threshing barn. The eastern elevation contains a large central entrance, almost to the eaves. Flanking the entrance is a pair of butresses. To the south of this doorway are two triangular vents, and another to the north of the entrance. North of this latter vent is a blocked doorway, of normal height, with a timber lintel. The southern elevation is fairly plain except for two ventilator slits, one low, the other high in the gable. To the east of this higher ventilator are straight joins which might mark the former position of a small window or owl hole. Only the southern part of the western elevation survives, but this had a large entrance opposed to that in the eastern side of the building. In the remaining section of elevation are two triangular ventilation holes and an X-form iron tie plate Within the fairly plain northern elevation are two ventilation slits. The lower of these is just below the eaves line, while the upper is in the middle of the gable. Internally, the barn is of five bays, separated by 4 roof trusses. These trusses are simple tie beams and collars, the central pair, flanking the opposed entrances, being chamfered with run out stops. The trusses support a Welsh slate roof. Empty sockets for rafters are present in the purlins, indicating their re-use. The blocked doorway in the east wall, evident on the exterior, is also visible on the interior. Alongside this entry, to the north, is a small rectangular niche. Plans and photos.
Forming the west side of the complex, the earliest constructional phase is represented by a tall threshing barn. This is in traditional style, probably mid-late 18th century in date, with large opposed doors flanking a central floor for hand threshing, and storage bays to either side. Original features of the threshing barn include the triangular and slit ventilators and the chamfered beams flanking the threshing floor. Straight joins alongside one of the ventilator slits high in a gable may mark the former location of an owl hole, to provide access to this bird which fed on rodents. The buttresses either side of the barn entrance on the courtyard side may originally have supported a small canopy. Towards the northern end of the barn, on the east side, is a doorway, now blocked. This may have provided access to the end of the barn when the storage bays were full. A small niche alongside the door may have been to accommodate a lantern or candle.
Perhaps in the later 19th century the threshing barn was re-roofed. Some of the tie beams (those that are not chamfered) may have been replacements and the purlins were re-used or relocated and no longer had the rafters mortised into them. The use of Welsh slate for the roof also suggests a later 19th century date for this operation. The doorway in the barn may also have been blocked at this time.

<1> Taylor, G., 2011, Historic Building Recording at Shortwood Farm, Shotley, Harringworth, Northamptonshire, 2011, (checked) (Report). SNN107730.

Record last edited

Apr 25 2012 12:59PM