Back 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. 

​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. 

​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.

​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. 

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. 

​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.

​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.