28 C O N T E X T 1 1 0 : J U LY 2 0 0 9 their educational value (the agreement holder regularly arranges visits to his farm for both school children and adult groups).The adjacent building to the loose boxes at the farm has been sensitively restored to a meeting room, using funds from the Rural Enterprise Scheme (which finished in 2006). The restoration also included the repair of the loose boxes, which were to be kept in their original use for housing cows and their calves, adding to their value for restoration. The high grant rates (80 per cent for the cost of a conservation management plan and the cost of the subsequent building repairs) in the HLS are based on the work having no direct impact on the financial value of a building. It is expected that restored buildings will be used for their original use or a related, low-key purpose, such as for storage or livestock. Unconverted historic buildings that are being used for purposes for which they were not originally designed, such as light industrial, educational access or livery use, are eligible for grant aid only where the use of the building does not affect its historic integrity. Many restorations are currently in progress using funds from the ‘classic schemes’ – those administered by Defra prior to the introduction of ES in 2005. A project using funds from the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) in the West Midlands is bringing back into good repair a Grade II* model farm on the Chillington Estate in South Staffordshire. Thought to have been constructed in the 1760s, the very recent discovery of graffiti showing harvest tallies dating back to 1748 suggests an earlier date. Chillington represents an almost original complex, complete with many rare fixtures, fittings and farm machinery, including features such as the swill bucket carrier used to feed the pigs with kitchen waste from the house, harnesses in the stable, and groom’s quarters. The buildings which have been restored include the piggery, a threshing barn and a stable block. The future is promising for these buildings, with owners committed to maintaining them in good repair and making them accessible as a fine education resource in years to come. At Goole, East Yorkshire, another project using Countryside Stewardship funds has restored a complex of Grade II listed buildings which make up a redundant farmstead. Bridge Farm, dating back to the 18th century, had retained many of its original features prior to its repair. The buildings were divided into seven sections for restoration, which was carried out over a five-year period. These buildings included a granary, shelter shed, stables, hayloft with a pigeoncote, threshing barn and an implement shed. Close attention was paid to good conservation principles throughout, with the emphasis on repair rather than replacement and the use of new handmade pantiles. The owner’s enthusiasm for the repair programme kept the project alive, and the repairs have now been completed. Building restorations under agri-environment schemes are not confined to traditional farm buildings. Other buildings of historic significance can be considered, for example industrial or military buildings, such as mining structures and second world war pillboxes. Such buildings are often closely associated with a land use and historically important functions allied to the rural environment. A small watermill at Thorganby in Lincolnshire was repaired earlier this year using funds from the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. The building consists of a timber wheelhouse containing an intact waterwheel site on an older brick foundation. While not listed, the mill represents a very rare survival of a once commonplace type of building. It is an integral part of the associated farmstead’s history: the most recent use of the mill was to generate electricity for the farm. The current building, sitting on earlier brick foundations, is believed to have replaced a corn mill previously located on the site. The building also has high landscape and amenity value, as well as wildlife. It provides a convenient shelter for a local barn owl, who finds the waterwheel a convenient place to sit and eat its prey. Another example of the restoration of a historic structure is the repair undertaken on Buckton Dovecote, a scheduled late medieval dovecote identified on the register of buildings at risk. Part of the structure had collapsed. The recommendation of the commissioned architect was that to rebuild, rather than consolidate as was, would provide the best long-term option. Natural England delivers agri-environment schemes in England. For more information visit www. naturalengland.org.uk/es or call 0300 060 1115. Susan Hardwick is senior historic specialist, historic environment delivery, Natural England. She is grateful to her regional colleagues who have provided case studies for this article: Margaret Nieke,Tom Gledhill, Jez Bretherton and Peter McCrone. The restoration atWellow, Nottinghamshire, included the repair of the loose boxes.These were to be kept in their original use for housing cows and their calves, which added to their value for restoration. A complex of Grade II listed buildings which make up a redundant farmstead at Goole, East Yorkshire, after a five-year programme of restoration. The striking red paintwork follows the local tradition.
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