THE GREAT BARN OF WANBOROUGH
Chairman’s Report for 2024/25 - prepared June 2025.
“We provide public access to the 14’th century Great Barn of Wanborough. We offer free entry to our open days with access open to all. We charge for private events. Our aim is to preserve the Great Barn for future generations by providing for its maintenance and repair.”
Under the system of rotating chairmanship, Richard Souchard took over from David Wilson for 2024-2025, with Roger Whittaker becoming Chairman-elect for 2025-2026.
Following a structural failure in 2022, Guildford Borough Council the owner, conducted a full structural survey of the building. As a result, several major repairs were undertaken in the autumn and winter of 2023/24. Following sign off by a structural engineer, the building reopened to the public for the 2024 season.
The 2024 season started in April with a Spring Clean of the building by local volunteers, to remove accumulated cobwebs, leaves and debris plus dust from the building works. A good deal of surplus items and furniture was also disposed of. During the course of 2024, The Great Barn of Wanborough enjoyed a full programme of activities including Open Days and wedding receptions. Many thanks are due to the members of the Management Committee and to the small army of some 50 volunteers who made this possible by generously giving their time for free.
Between April and August, there were five Open Days with a history exhibition and tea & cakes on sale at each event. In September, the Barn was opened for two full days over Heritage Weekend. Teas and lunches were on sale in the Village Hall, and activities were expanded to include talks about the Special Operations Executive by the Secret World War II organization. Following Heritage Weekend, the Puttenham Bonfire team moved in to prepare their sets for the annual November bonfire event.
In addition to the Open Days, three wedding receptions also took place in the Barn during the course of the year. These receptions are conducted in cooperation with the Village Hall, which also provides its facilities as part of the wedding package.
Across all these events, over 1150 people visited the Barn, of which some 780 were for an Open Day or Heritage weekend.
Plans and activities for 2025
The 2025 season again began with a Spring Clean by local volunteers. Thanks are due to all who helped in making the Barn clean and presentable for public use.
To date there have already been three Open Days, with two more planned for July and August, plus Heritage Weekend in September. One wedding reception has already taken place and two more have been booked for July and August. There was also a private visit by U3A early in July.
Work has continued on an educational programme for schoolchildren. This project was largely funded by grants. The original intention was to use an external contractor to develop the materials based around the long history of Wanborough hamlet. However, this proved too costly and exhibition materials have instead been developed in house. A local graphic designer has been hired to prepare the exhibition materials for full colour printing on large Foamex
boards. The intention now is to use the new exhibition for school visits, open days and Heritage Weekend, given that the material is appropriate for a wide age range. A trial run school visit is scheduled for July 15’th.
Richard Souchard, Chair 2024-2025
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