Building record 111/1/4 - Animal shelter

{1} A long single storey range of squared coursed limestone with occasional ironstone blocks that is open on the south side, the building was used as an animal shelter. The western gable end is fairly plain, though has a short ragged join close to where it meets the threshing barn. There is also scarring of the roof of a removed lean-to structure that previously backed on to the barn. The northern elevation is naked and the eastern wall is plain except for a pair of straight joins defining the location of a blocked window. A series of five brick piers support the open-fronted southern elevation. These piers are constructed of late handmade brick, including bullnose bricks to provide rounded corners. Internally, the building is split into two cells. In the east wall of the eastern cell is the blocked window, evident on the exterior. However, here on the interior, the blocking is of machine-made brick of mid-late 20th century date. The cill beam for this window extends southwards from the window and, beyond the window, the underside of the beam is roughly chamfered, probably denoting that it originally formed a lintel over another opening, perhaps a door. Separating the northern cell, which is 2 bays wide, from the four-bay southern cell, is an inserted partition wall of timber and corrugated iron sheet. Along this wall are remnants of a feed rack. Beyond the partition, the western cell is mostly empty. There is a series of posts, probably for tethering animals, alongside the north wall. The straight join between this building and the barn is evident at the western end of the range. Alongside the straight join is a small ragged join, as also observed on the exterior. Roof trusses are formed from tie beam and collars which support a red pantile roof. Plans and photos.

Probably towards the end of the 19 century two long ranges were constructed on the north and south sides of the courtyard. The northern range was probably constructed immediately after the southern range was constructed. This was also open-fronted but here the stanchions were of late handmade brick of late 19th century date. This was an animal shelter and has some tether posts within. The pantile roof may make use of tile salvaged from another building. Scarring on the west side of this range indicates there was previously a lean-to structure in this area. This removed lean-to, and the arrangement of buildings as recorded, is as depicted on the 1886 and later Ordnance Survey maps.
Alterations were made in the mid-late 20th century. A window was blocked and a partition wall inserted to divide the shelter shed into two cells.

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

Record last edited

Apr 25 2012 1:02PM