<![CDATA[Wingfield Barns - The Barns\' Blog]]>Sat, 07 Mar 2026 22:03:37 +0000Weebly<![CDATA[Watch This Space.....]]>Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:06:38 GMThttps://www.wingfieldbarns.com/the-barns-blog/watch-this-spaceNew History blog;
​Wingfield Wednesday; Wingfield Barns Throughout Time
Working with the Wingfield History Project Group  ]]><![CDATA[RESTORATION WORK ON OUR GREAT BARN]]>Sun, 04 Oct 2020 07:14:15 GMThttps://www.wingfieldbarns.com/the-barns-blog/restoration-work-on-our-great-barnBack in February 2017, Storm Doris caused havoc across the country, bringing high winds and flooding. Here at Wingfield Barns we suffered some damage to the external wall of our Great Barn, where a panel of render was blown off following rainwater penetration caused by faulty guttering. This damage was originally repaired in June of that year, although unfortunately not entirely. The gutter still overflowed above the faulty render panel and before long the plaster had blown once again. 
​In early 2020, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council commissioned Dan Burnstone of DB Building Conservation to repair the blown render externally, and also address some damaged panels inside the Great Barn. Making full use of the event-free period of time following lockdown, and after the gutter issues had been addressed, work began in September.
Any loose plaster and infill materials were removed from the damaged panels, exposing the structure beneath. These panels were probably worked on when the buildings were converted from their farm origins in the late 1990s. You can see from the picture here the relatively modern orange twine used to tie in the hazel spindles, also thought to be replacements at this time. The wattle and daub infill here was completely removed due to it becoming so wet and detached over time. 
​The material was then mixed with additional straw and lime, and reinstated in to the cavity. This was then left to dry out before finishing with a lime plaster. In the meantime, the panel to the right simply needed a new skim of plaster. 
​Whilst waiting for the exterior works to dry, Dan began work on the old wall inside the Great Barn. One panel here had become very loose, and was in danger of falling out… not helped by the lean on the wall creating a slight overhang! Additionally, the lower section of the wall on the other side of the door had become loose and cracked over time, and upon removal of the plaster it was clear that some patching works had been made over previous years. Here, the bottom section of the wall had been bricked up, and a strange mixture of clay and cement applied over the bricks. This surface was not ideal for plastering over, and is possibly why the damaged had occurred. 
​After removing as much cement as possible, and exposing the bottoms of two timbers that had been covered up, Dan applied a traditional plaster mix containing natural fibrous materials such as hemp and horse hair. This plaster was also used in the panel to the left of the door, reinforcing the previously precarious spindles and creating a tidy finish. 
​The weather in the coming week wasn’t exactly favourable to a clay mix drying out, but eventually the wattle and daub on the external render was dry enough for its plaster skim to be applied. I think we can all agree that the finish is brilliant, and absolutely fitting for a splendid building such as this. Meanwhile inside, the plaster is still drying out, and will be for some weeks yet. Once completely dry, the areas will receive a coat of lime wash to finish the works. 
We have been really impressed with Dan’s work. If you’d like to have a look at some more of his projects, or enquire about any work you might need doing, take a look at his website www.dbbconservation.co.uk.
]]><![CDATA[EMERGING AFTER LOCKDOWN]]>Tue, 01 Sep 2020 10:16:23 GMThttps://www.wingfieldbarns.com/the-barns-blog/emerging-after-lockdown
​Well, what a strange few months we’ve all been through. Anxious, liberating, devastating, enlightening… whatever it has been for you, we can all agree that it was completely unprecedented. In this world that we have come to know and accept as ours, it is fair to say that no-one really saw this coming, not entirely. Not when you get down to the nitty gritty of what lockdown would really mean for us all; home schooling; the closest of families having to isolate from one another; businesses all of a sudden realising that there would be nothing for the foreseeable future, and for many of us, loneliness. 

It is becoming, however, more and more apparent that our world is now filled with little pockets of ingenuity, rising from the ashes like phoenixes. It was hard to see them at first, everyone with their heads in their hands, but as you start to notice one, then two, it is hard not to see them for they are everywhere. 
​Small businesses forced to think outside the box offering truly brilliant services online, all from the isolation of their own homes, theatres streaming performances live from the artists’ residences, community groups pulling together and making sure even the most vulnerable have everything they need in the safety of their own home, local shops turning their front doors in to serving hatches, and contactless payments being made through the glass. 


​​Here at Wingfield Barns we have been through a whole range of emotions; disbelief; frustration; anger; resignation, and finally… hope. We are now, I am pleased to say, hopeful that there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel and that we are emerging, like a phoenix, back in to the world of arts and community again. 
The diary is starting to fill up, people are feeling bold enough to book that event they so sadly had to postpone earlier in the year, and buying tickets for all those shows which just weren’t allowed to happen a few months ago. The artists are starting to travel, working out the logistics of a tour all over again, but so pleased to be doing so! Wedding bookings are starting to fill up, people tentatively allowing themselves to become excited again after so much disappointment. There are plans afoot for a whole host of creative workshops – something for everyone of all ages and capabilities, interests and skills.
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And we are so looking forward to seeing you! We are excited about seeing our friends, and sharing experiences of live music and theatre, letting the creative juices flow and trying new things, all in the comfort of our little local venue at the bottom of the hill near the church. We’re still very much here, and we hope to see you all soon. 
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]]><![CDATA[DECIDING THE DATE IN THE CURRENT CLIMATE]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.wingfieldbarns.com/the-barns-blog/deciding-the-date-in-the-current-climate​So – you got engaged! Congratulations! Or you’ve had to make a painful decision to stall wedding plans during lockdown. However, the sun is out and we are all beginning to plan life after lockdown, which means planning a 2021 wedding is once again possible.
Obviously there are a few changes and one of your main concerns is what if you have to cancel or postpone at late notice. New wedding insurance policies have virtually disappeared, so be very clear with your venue what their policy is on your payment schedule and what they offer in the case of the need to postpone, cancel or reduce numbers due to government guidelines as well as your own concerns due to Covid.
At Wingfield Barns we are straightforward:
  • You may cancel with a full refund within 1 calendar month of your booking. 
  • You may postpone at any stage or if you are within one calendar month of your booking.
  • We will switch you to a discounted rate should your numbers have to reduce due to a change in government guidelines dictating numbers below the number you had booked.
For example you had booked the Great Barn for 100 people and government guidelines come into effect to advise social distancing bubbles meant you can only accommodate 50. In this case we would switch your rate to the special reduced number rate.
From August 15th 2020 the number allowed at weddings and receptions is 30. This includes catering staff, so you might want to consider a menu that includes a plated starter and then a buffet to keep staff numbers lower.
Government details on small weddings can be found here.
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​Smaller numbers can be a good thing. You get to spend time with all your lovely guests, and budget-wise you may have a little more to spend per head.  Wingfield Barns has a special package to suit small numbers, with prices from £600.00
So that’s the uncertainly sorted. The next thing (of many) things you’ll be thinking of is when you would like your wedding? Winter, Summer, Autumn or Spring? Summer Fridays and Saturdays are popular so you’ll need to allow lead time – venues can be booked up years in advance and having to catch up on 2020, despite uncertainly does not necessarily mean availability. However, it is always worth checking, especially if you can be flexible as there will be one or two cancellations.
If you want an Autumn or Winter wedding you will find more availability although Christmastime also gets booked up. We suggest you avoid a Christmas week wedding, with so many family plans that week it can be tricky getting all your invited guests to attend.
Consider a Thursday or midweek wedding since rates are usually discounted, and if your friends and family are happy to make it a mini-break and take a day off work.
2021 weddings may involve shorter ceremonies & include restrictions on things like cash bars. Knowing what your wedding reception will look like can help you plan, so don’t be afraid to ask for all these details as you book.
At Wingfield Barns for peace of mind we currently ensure there is a minimum 72 hour break between bookings, and are happy to provide bride and grooms with our deep cleaning schedule, and of course there are well signposted cleaning stations with sanitiser and wipes at events.
We do remote show rounds and follow up with Zoom meetings so that all the arrangements can be put in place as if you were having a face to face meeting.
So if you are thinking of Wingfield Barns for your wedding reception and have any questions, please feel free to give us a call or come for a socially distanced viewing.
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Good luck with your planning.
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