Archive for History

Cosworth revs up the Tithe Barn

April 8, 2015 History Comments Off on Cosworth revs up the Tithe Barn

TitheClean7It was fantastic to welcome a volunteer team from the company Cosworth; to help with the spring clean of the Landbeach Tithe Barn (pictured right; I am the one with the red broom!)

We were very fortunate to be blessed with good weather and the transformation over the day was wonderful. One long standing visitor to the Tithe Barn said it was the tidiest he had seen in 30 years!

Tithe Open DayThis is ahead of our open day this Saturday, the event link can be viewed at; www.facebook.com/events/1543588452589433/

Our working group (the forerunner to a Trust) is working hard with the District Council (who own the building) to ensure this building is saved and restored. Especially as it is the last remaining Tithe Barn in Cambridgeshire and the only one in the UK with it’s original brick floor.

There is still a long way to go in securing the long term future of this building, but we are certainly going in the right direction.

 

Tithe Clean 12TitheClean4

Saving Landbeach Tithe Barn

August 23, 2014 History, Parks & Green spaces Comments Off on Saving Landbeach Tithe Barn

Picture1The Landbeach Tithe Barn is a wonderful building from the Tudor period. You may ask what a Tithe Barn is – put simply it was a building for the Parish Priest to receive 10% of local farmers produce.

Why is it so important to save the Landbeach Tithe Barn? Tithe Barns are now quite rare in the UK. It is difficult to know how many exactly remain. Estimates show at least 90%+ have of them have been converted, so somewhere in the region of 20 to 190 remain in the UK.

Tithe BarnThe Landbeach Tithe Barn one is the last remaining example in Cambridgeshire and the only one with its original brick floor. It is estimated it was built around 1527 – so is approaching it’s 500th anniversary.

The building is in need of restoration, which costs in the order of £50-£100k. The Landbeach Society who have had a lease on the building are not in a position to address this and so are rescinding their lease.

Certainly I have been doing my utmost to protect this part of our history.Tithe Barn seminar poster

This includes; (1) Giving a talk at the Landbeach Parish Council annual public meeting. (2) Attending three
District Council meetings. This was to secure more time to find a solution that does not mean the building being converted. (3) Taking part in media interviews – television, printed press and radio. (4) Being the opening and closing speaker at a workshop seminar which drew experts and interested parties for across the region. (5) Much behind the scenes work including meetings, telephone calls and emails. (6) Being tasked with setting up a trust.

To save the building from conversion we must found a Trust – so to raise the funds to maintain the building and thus secure it’s long term future. Already many people have come forward with an interest to be a trustee. Could you? Do you know someone that would?

I very much do hope that we can secure the long term future of this wonderful Tudor building for future generations.

Landbeach Tithe Barn – A part of our history

June 9, 2014 History Comments Off on Landbeach Tithe Barn – A part of our history

TithetalkI was delighted to have been asked to speak at the Landbeach Parish Council annual public meeting on the Landbeach Tithe Barn. There was a good turnout at the meeting and great interest in the talk that I gave.

You may ask what a Tithe Barn is. Put simply it was a building for the Parish Priest to receive 10% of local farmers produce.

Tithe Barn’s are now quite rare in the UK. It is estimated that at least 90% have of them have been converted. It is thought at most 190, at lowest 20 remain. The Landbeach one is the only example left in the whole of Cambridgeshire and is known to be unique with still having its original floor in place.

The challenge ahead is setting up a Trust to help maintain the building and secure it’s long term future. Already there has been much media interest including local radio and printed press in addition to regional television. From this many organisations and people have come forward offering help – which is great news.

Preserving the building won’t be inexpensive, costings range between £50-100k. That said a number of private individuals have committed to making donations in excess of £20k. This would mean with grant bids/match funding the restoration of the building in my view is an achievable goal.

We look forward to the workshop meeting on June 30th where we will bring together the community, experts and interesting parties – on how we will secure the long term future of this wonderful Tudor building for future generations.

Securing the future of Landbeach Tithe Barn

January 13, 2014 History Comments Off on Securing the future of Landbeach Tithe Barn

Tithe BarnAt the weekend I was delighted to attend the open day of the Landbeach Tithe Barn. There was a good turnout with many wanting to help secure the future of the building. I am pictured with the Chairman of Landbeach Society, Robert Stripe.

Already I have been taking action to help this worthy cause. In October I chaired a meeting with representatives from the Landbeach Society, Landbeach Parish Council, Denny Abbey Farm Museum and Cambridge Past Present and Future about the ithe Barn. In May and October I put forward the case to the South Cambs District Council (who own the building) Portfolio Holders meeting to give the community more time. I was pleased that this call was heeded. The next meeting will be in March.

Tithe Barn’s are now quite rare in the UK. I have heard 90% of them have been converted. Only 190 remain, with Landbeach the only example in the whole of Cambridgeshire. It is also unique, being that it still has the original floor in place.

Currently the Tithe Barn is in need of a roof repair that would cost £30,000 – which is not an insignificant sum. Different options were discussed. One way could be if the Tithe Barn was opened on a regular basis then grant applications could be possible. Already an anonymous donor has stepped forward with a generous donation.

It would be great if we can secure the future of this wonderful building for future generations. Especially as in 2027 it will be 500 years old.

Landbeach Tithe Barn – an important part of history

October 19, 2013 History Comments Off on Landbeach Tithe Barn – an important part of history

Picture1This week I was pleased to have chaired a meeting with representatives from the Landbeach Society, Landbeach Parish Council, Denny Abbey Farm Museum and Cambridge Past Present and Future about the long term future of Landbeach Tithe Barn.

Tithe Barn’s are now quite rare in the UK. I have heard 90% of them have been converted. Only 190 remain, with Landbeach the only example in the whole of Cambridgeshire. It is also unique, being that it still has the original floor in place.

The reason for the meeting, was to look at ways to secure the long term future of the Tithe Barn. Currently it is in need of a roof repair that would cost £30,000 – which is not an insignificant sum. Different options were discussed. One way could be if the Tithe Barn was opened on a regular basis then grant applications could be possible. This is course will take some serious time and effort.

Next week there will be a South Cambs District Council (who own the building) Portfolio Holders meeting. Certainly we will be put forward that case the progress is being made. It would be great if we can secure the future of this wonderful building for future generations. Especially as in 2027 it will be 500 years old.