Barn Club

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When Robert Somerville relocated to Hertfordshire from Devon, he encountered a vibrant landscape teeming with wildlife, particularly elm trees. This wooded area, within London's commuter belt, inspired Somerville, a dedicated woodworker, to revive the ancient craft of hand-raising barns using locally sourced elm timber and community labor. The narrative centers on the elm tree's significance, exploring its natural history and cultural importance in England, Europe, and North America. The elm's decline, triggered by an imported fungal disease over a century ago, nearly led to its extinction. However, the tree has persisted, often overlooked, across the English countryside and in urban settings. The project chronicles the construction of Carley Barn, a traditional Hertfordshire elm barn built by hand with volunteers over a year, marking a revival of a craft last seen 150 years ago. This experience offers unique insights into traditional construction techniques that have faded from contemporary practice. It prompts reflection on how our structures resonate with the local landscape and the beauty of creating together, emphasizing the joy of handcrafting meaningful objects while fostering a deeper connection to our surroundings.