AS part of Cadw’s heritage open doors events in Monmouthshire barn enthusiast Ken Bonham will be giving a free illustrated talk on Britain’s fascinating ancient barns at White Castle Vineyard, Llanvetherine, near Abergavenny this Sunday, September 11, at 3pm.

Ken will also be bringing models of barns for visitors to see during the 2 – 4 pm open afternoon at the conserved Grade II* 16th century Croft Barn at White Castle Vineyard. Croft Barn has undergone sensitive restoration by The Village Alive Trust, a local buildings preservation trust, in partnership with the owners, Robb and Nicola Merchant, and features rare undaubed oak wattle panels and a cruck truss construction.

The barn, which was conserved with grant aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Cadw, represents over 400 years of farming history and was once part of the Trerhew estate. Refreshments will be on offer during the open event and there is parking on site and lavatory facility. The barn will be signposted off the B4521 Skenfrith to Abergavenny road.

Further information on barns can be found at Ken Bonham’s website www.greatbarns.org.uk or www.wineandheritage.org.uk or www.villagealivetrust.org.uk