MATTHEWS BARN
[this section describes the barn in 1981]
From the front, the barn appears to be like many another old, black wooden building, but the view from the rear is truly surprising, for it is obvious that it dates back from centuries ago. It is typically Suffolk in character, with its pitched roof and great high door. Inside, it is divided into two halves, with steps leading up from one half to the other. It is constructed of marvellously strong, old oak timbers, one of which has a carving on it.
The outbuildings, also at the rear of the house, again provide much of interest. The stables, which are unchanged, are divided into three - one for storing hay, one a manger and the third a stall. In the manger there is a strong old feeding trough which runs the length of the wall, and in the second an old, wrought iron hay rack. The floor of the stables is made of small-hewn, oblong bricks, again a sign of the age of the building. Nearby, there are other outhouses, including a work- shop and a brew house. The workshop contains many interesting items - several pairs of shears with different shaped handles, oil cans, a large kettle stand, a scythe with its original thick» strong handle, obviously made from a branch of a tree as it still retains this shape, and a double Beatrice burner; this is really unusual - it is a kind of mini portable oil stove, used for cooking - the original of the present-day Belling stove. The brew house was used years ago, when everyone in the village came to brew their own beer if they wished to do so. In the yard there stands an old pump in perfect working order.
The whole building is constructed of intricate King Posts. The barn has three small, high windows at one end. The whole of this building is quite enchanting for it is in its perfect, original state.
In about 2006 the barn was converted to a private home
From the front, the barn appears to be like many another old, black wooden building, but the view from the rear is truly surprising, for it is obvious that it dates back from centuries ago. It is typically Suffolk in character, with its pitched roof and great high door. Inside, it is divided into two halves, with steps leading up from one half to the other. It is constructed of marvellously strong, old oak timbers, one of which has a carving on it.
The outbuildings, also at the rear of the house, again provide much of interest. The stables, which are unchanged, are divided into three - one for storing hay, one a manger and the third a stall. In the manger there is a strong old feeding trough which runs the length of the wall, and in the second an old, wrought iron hay rack. The floor of the stables is made of small-hewn, oblong bricks, again a sign of the age of the building. Nearby, there are other outhouses, including a work- shop and a brew house. The workshop contains many interesting items - several pairs of shears with different shaped handles, oil cans, a large kettle stand, a scythe with its original thick» strong handle, obviously made from a branch of a tree as it still retains this shape, and a double Beatrice burner; this is really unusual - it is a kind of mini portable oil stove, used for cooking - the original of the present-day Belling stove. The brew house was used years ago, when everyone in the village came to brew their own beer if they wished to do so. In the yard there stands an old pump in perfect working order.
The whole building is constructed of intricate King Posts. The barn has three small, high windows at one end. The whole of this building is quite enchanting for it is in its perfect, original state.
In about 2006 the barn was converted to a private home
