Letter: My Visit to One of the Oldest Wooden Buildings in the South East

Published on: 18 Sep, 2018
Updated on: 18 Sep, 2018

From Bob McShee

As last weekend was Heritage Open Days weekend, I decided to visit the Great Barn at Wanborough.

This is one of the oldest wooden buildings in South East England, having been built by the Monks of Waverley Abbey in 1388. Inside the barn, there were display panels illustrating its history including its special connection with the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II and its school for secret agents at close by Wanborough Manor.

Also on the display boards was the story of how Wanborough acquired a railway station and another board that gave the origins of the name Wanborough. There was also a beautiful model of the barn.

Before leaving I went to the Heritage Café where I enjoyed a cup of tea and a delicious slice of coffee and walnut cake, then went on to visit the Sidney Sime Gallery at Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

The Great Barn will be open again in the spring 2019 and a list of opening days can be seen on www.wanboroughgreatbarn.co.uk

Responses to Letter: My Visit to One of the Oldest Wooden Buildings in the South East

Tony Rooth Reply

September 18, 2018 at 1:00 pm

An excellent piece on the delights of Wanborough Barn. Bob McShee and I didn’t encounter each other there at the weekend – but neither of us missed the scrumptious cakes!

We are now both Independent councillors – independent of party politics but certainly not the love of Guildford’s heritage. Let’s hope GBC agree to future maintenance of this wonderful ancient wooden barn without squabbling over a few shavings of money.

Tony Rooth is the Independent borough councillor for Pilgrims ward (including Wanborough)
Jules Cranwell Reply

September 18, 2018 at 6:27 pm

Good for Tony and Bob. If I were in their ward, they would get my vote.

These two councillors, along with Nils Christiansen are an example to all who reject the Stalinist tactics of the incumbent Tories.

Good luck in the land of the Independents. We need more independence of thought in this rotten borough.
Stephen Callender Reply

September 21, 2018 at 5:36 pm

We welcomed almost 700 visitors to The Great Barn over Heritage Weekend and, from their many wonderful comments, clearly they very much liked what they saw.

As a volunteer who helps look after The Great Barn, this sort of feedback makes the time and effort that goes into the exhibition and the fabric of a 630-year-old building all worthwhile.

Almost 60 volunteers worked over the weekend to make sure visitors enjoyed themselves and, given that his theme this year is ‘Volunteering’, it was very appropriate that the Mayor and Mayoress of Guildford came to see us too.