Cofnod Safle

This early 18th century stone-built, corrugated-roof range of 5-bays has opposed medium size threshing-doorways towards its lower north end and two-tiers of ventilation slits, some blocked. Its south gable-end has reduced wall thickness at head height, indicating the roof has been raised and that the walls may have 17th century origins.
The north-west threshing-doorway and a former loading-bay (blocked) in the south gable-end are all of dressed sandstone, as are the coping stones and kneelers. There is a lower, former stable, attached in-line at the north end, now altered to a cart-house. The barn has a 19th century segmental stone arch to its south-east doorway, presumably made when enlarged slightly, by removing its former dressed stonework. There is also a loading doorway in the south-east wall.
The roof has four oak trusses of Queen-strut collar and tie-beam type, all pegged and morticed out of re-used timbers with earlier mortices. These support two pairs of trenched purlins and common-rafters, now with a vertical ridge-piece.
In the mid-20th century, lateral stalls of iron pipes for tethering of cattle with concrete manger and feed passage were inserted against the north-west wall. At this time the north-west threshing-bay and some ventilation slits were blocked, and a floor was added at the north end. The ventilation slits at the north gable-end only occur above the stable roof, indicating the stable is contemporary with the full height barn. The stable would originally have had a central doorway with flanking windows, but now there is a wide entry for cart or tractor.
The first edition OS map of 1872 shows an external horse engine site by the south-east threshing doorway. It also shows a stair to loft over stable at the north gable-end
Visited, Geoff Ward, 29/06/2007.