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Les Caches (Farm and Barn) |
» Further information on Les Caches Farm
» Redevelopment proposals and history of Les Caches Barn
Les Caches was bequeathed to the Trust by Miss Ruth Le Huray in 1993. It is a tradigional farmhous of the mid 19th century and enjoys an open and rural aspect giving a good impression of its original setting. The house was built in 1840 and was then extended in 1875 to include a kitchen with a staircase leading to a room above. During 1999 the house was sensitively restored and refurbished by the Trust preserving as much of the original fabric as possible. The granite front of the house has been exposed and repointed using traditional lilne mortar, the roof re-slated and a cornice gutter fitted.
The timber window frames have been repaired preserving the original window sashes and glazed with hand blown glass. The interior of the Farmhouse has been stripped back to the masonry and replastered using lime plaster and a lime wash and the original stairs, banisters and cupboard doors have been retained. The kitchen is of particular interest with its complete furze oven and cooking range marked "Guernsey Railway Co.". The fireplaces downstairs are not originals but appropriate reproductions. The Barn, located behind the main house, is believed to be a medieval farmhouse built around 1450, so it is thought that the stone inscribed IDS 1775 set in the arched doonvay was inserted at a later date. In 1840 the family moved into their new farmhouse and the old farmhouse was converted into stables and cart sheds. There is still some evidence of a tourelle staircase, fireplaces and a furze oven, and it would have had a thatched roof.
The Trust are planning to restore the Barn back to how it would have been in about 1840. This is an exciting project and it is hoped to hold a number of workshops and seminars on traditional forms of construction, including rebuilding the tourelle and furze oven using traditional clay mortar. When the Trust held two Open Days at Les Caches last year approximately 2,100 people came to view which is most encouraging for the Trust and shows how much Guernsey people value their heritage. All our restoration work is carried out under the expert direction of Mr Andrew Dyke.