Thatching work to begin at 13th Century barn

Whiston’s Manorial Barn, an 800-year-old listed building thought to be among England’s oldest surviving timber structures, is to have its thatched roof replaced. The £200,000 project aims to protect a rare medieval building that was rescued from ruin in the 1980s and now serves mainly as a wedding venue.

Work is due to start this winter and will be carried out in four stages, each costing about £50,000. The barn will stay open during the work; the parish council is responsible for the roof under the venue lease, while day-to-day maintenance and repairs are covered separately.