DOCUMENT NO 178

May 2013

A.P.A.C. Ltd.
Archaeological Perspectives Analysis Consultancy

ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORT

Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan.

Grade II, BUILDING RECORDING SURVEY Monmouth County Council. 2010/00452

Prepared for: By:

Mr C, Heath Dr N Phillips.

A.P.A.C. Ltd

Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan.

BS/LAG/12

Summary
APAC Ltd was contacted by the client in order to undertake a level II building recording survey on a barn and outbuilding prior to conversion work to residential use. The building at the time of the survey had partial roof and four walls, a substantial part of which had had some extensive stabilization and restoration work, after years of neglect. The out building had fared less well with only three walls remaining. As part of the planning procedure the client was advised that he would need to have the buildings recorded in their current state before any further development could take place. APAC Ltd produced a project design for the work, which was approved and the survey was undertaken. This document comprises the Grade II building recording survey as required. At the time of the survey the building was little more than a shell with new roof and extensive restoration, including and above 1st floor level. As a result of background research for the survey it was possible to date the barn as part of an earlier complex at least pre dating the early 19th century.

Copyright Notice: A.P.A.C. Ltd. retains copyright of this report under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988. The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100046577) to reproduce map information; Copyright remains otherwise with the Ordnance Survey. Cover Photograph DSC02694, east elevation.

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Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan.

BS/LAG/12

Contents

Summary .........................................................................................................................................1 Contents...........................................................................................................................................2 Appendices ......................................................................................................................................3 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................4 Location and description of the evaluation areas ............................................................................4 Brief archaeological and historical background..............................................................................4 Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................................5 Methodology ...................................................................................................................................5 Data Presentation.............................................................................................................................6 External description of Old House Barn (Ty Lucas).......................................................................6 External detail: ................................................................................................................................6 Internal detail: .................................................................................................................................6 Description of out building .............................................................................................................7 Additional features noted: ...............................................................................................................7 Phasing ............................................................................................................................................7 Interpretation summary ...................................................................................................................8 Acknowledgements: ........................................................................................................................8 References: ......................................................................................................................................9 Staff .................................................................................................................................................9

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Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan.

BS/LAG/12

Figures
01 02 03 Site Location map Site plan. Map progressions

Survey Plates 1-16

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

NE elevation. Southern section is a recent build from the bottom corner of the 1st floor window SE gable end all new above ground West elevation, new build south of doorway NW gable end with original wall and plaster of south inner wall of former dwelling Foundation at north west gable Internal north east corner showing wooden construction elements Internal north west corner showing butt construction Internal view of NW gable of barn truss: principle rafter, tie beam, struts and replaced purlins Internal roof structure showing squared purlins and squared and uncut rafters Foundation at soothe east gable. New construction Internal floor at south end of barn NW and SW sides of outbuilding NW end of out building with new build Internal view of southern corner of outbuilding showing new build Raised curved wall to the NW of barn. Possible wall of former dwelling Partial remaining flag floor of former dwelling

Appendices Complete List of Survey Photocards

A.P.A.C. Ltd Introduction

Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan.

BS/LAG/12

This Grade II building survey has been prepared by Dr Neil Phillips, A.P.A.C. Ltd, in response to a proposed program of works to convert a barn and outbuildings for residential use. The barn, and out buildings, NGR 343975 2067306, fig 01 have suffered from a period of neglect for some decades and had fallen into a poor state of repair. Some much needed restoration and stabilisation work had been done to both buildings by the client, prior to the planning proposal. The project has now entered a conversion phase and the client has been advised that he would need to engage a buildings archaeologist as part of the planning process. Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) imposed conditions on the planning approval. Relating to the standing buildings the condition; as suggested by Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT) who offer guidance to the council in such matters, was worded: No development to which this permission relates shall commence until an appropriate programme of historic building recording and analysis has been secured and implemented in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Reason: As the building is of significance, the specified records are necessary to mitigate the impact of the proposed development. MON1913/JBHD

This report details the building survey undertaken on 14th of September 2012.

Location and description of the evaluation areas

The location of the site can be gained from Raglan on the A40. Proceed through the town of Raglan and take a right onto the old Chepstow Rd. Follow the road over the dual carriageway (A449) and take the second left signposted Kingcoed. At the top of the hill bear right at the crossroads and continue to the T junction and then bear left towards Llangovan. The second left along the road is marked No Through Rd and the property is just along the track. The main building at present is detached and derelict barn with partial roof covering. Remains of a second single storey building stand within the curtilage, fig 02.).

Brief archaeological and historical background

The guidance letter from GGAT states that a building Ty Lucas is shown in the area of the present structure on the First Series map of 1805; wherein it is represented as a house, byre and barn; typical for post medieval periods, (MON1913/JBHD). Ty Lucras, later Ty Lucas could be translated as the house of Lucas however, the property today is known as Old House barn with Old House some 0.5km south east. It is possible, though admittedly tenuous, that the barn has been associated with Old House for some time. If so, it is worth noting that Old House itself is described as one of three examples of a single build, three room sub-medieval house, (Fox & Raglan II. 30). Background research undertaken for this survey was able to provide some records of the site from which it is possible to trace developments. These results have been reproduced in fig 02 as a map progression. The earliest record of the site, 1831, records an enclosed rectangular holding at the end of a dedicated lane. To the south west corner are two buildings off set to one another at 90. (It is worth noting that the copy is not very clear). The site is called Ty Lucras.

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Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan.

BS/LAG/12

A decade later; in 1841 (Davies), the tithe map shows a less schematic representation of the site. The site, still known as Ty Lucras, has two separate building blocks formed around a central square. To the north east is the present barn, in filled black with an attached and equally large extension running north/west. The extension is grey in filled and appears to have a central porch on the west elevation with a lean-to to the north east corner. The southern building is L shaped the wider and longer portion to the east. It is only the narrower west portion that survives at the time of the survey. The apportionment shows plot 75 associated with James Williams, House Garden Buildings & Waste, (GRO D1059.28). On the Ordnance Survey Map of 1882, the same buildings are represented as outlines clearly differentiating them as separate units. The barn is shown with the attached and equally sized north/west extension (House) with its attached lean-tos. The central porch interpreted in 1831 is not shown. The outbuildings are shown to the south west; sharing one adjoining wall. East of the barn/house is a rectangular enclosed area with a small building and lean-to. The site name has also changed to Ty Lucas. During the following two decades, till 1901, the site underwent some changes with the enclosure and buildings to the east being removed and the west and northern boundaries of the site being delineated with an enclosing boundary. The footprints of the four main buildings remained as recorded earlier. The next two decades however, saw more change. The northwest extension to the barn has gone by 1920 and the southern outbuilding has been divided into two. The western outbuilding has also been divided at the south corner and creating a new room between the southern and western outbuildings. At the time of the survey in 1973-74, the complex of buildings had been reduced to a single barn with boundary wall to the north and one partially surviving outbuilding to the west.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the level II survey was to preserve by record the structure of the buildings, prior to refurbishment and in so doing provide a facility for understanding the buildings historic development. The record produced can then be used to guide the determination of the planning condition as to the final design of refurbishment.

Methodology
The building survey followed the methodology defined in 5.2, Understanding Historic Buildings; A Guide to Good Recording Practice (English Heritage 2008). The methodology employed was also guided by the Standards and Guidance for the Archaeological Investigation and Recording of Standing Buildings or Structures (IFA 1996, revised ed 2008). Research was undertaken at Gwent records office and online at various sites in order to recover any information easily accessible that would aid in the interpretation of the site. The photographic record of the site includes general views of the exteriors, the overall appearance of principle structure and circulation areas, external and internal detail relevant to the propertys design and development. Existing block and floor plans were provided by the client and these were annotated with measurements made internally with a Leica Disto, during the survey. The adapted plans were re-drawn in Cad, fig 03 and provided in the photo cards as a photographic locator. The photographic survey was conducted using a Sony Cybershot F828 digital camera mounted on a tripod. Simple phasing was undertaken based on observable, constructional anomalies, Ordnance survey mapping, Old photographs reference texts for historical building styles.

A.P.A.C. Ltd

Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan.

BS/LAG/12

This report also comprises a written element as defined in 4.5 Understanding Historic Buildings; A Guide to Good Recording Practice (English Heritage 2008).

Data Presentation
Data referred to within the text is included in the Figures (fig##), Plates (P##). The Plates are the photographs taken as part of the survey and included as annotated data records. All the images are included in the archive disc. Appendix I presents; in spreadsheet format, details of all the photographs taken during the survey, including those not used in the text. Photographs used in the text are listed in the right column with P and a sequential reference number: P##. External description of Old House Barn (Ty Lucas). The site is approached by an unmetalled road ends to the west at a field gate. Once through the gate, the site has a boundary of mature trees and a pond recorded since 1841, see fig 03. The barn stands as an isolated structure of rubble-walled construction with oak fittings and roof timbers. Originally, it was probably a traditional threshing barn with central opening and slit windows, however the building has been extensively restored in the southern half with possibly different fenestration added. External detail: The barn is divided into two half by large doorways on opposite elevations. The northern half measures 5.55m wide with both east and west elevations measuring 3.8mm in length. The eastern elevation then has a doorway 2.69m followed by 5.79m of wall whereas the southern door way measures 2.56m followed by 5.92m of wall. Plate 01, showing the eastern elevation illustrates a difference in build quite clearly. To the right of the door the eastern wall is original whereas to the left of the door, and more importantly to the left of the surviving slit, the wall has been restored/rebuilt. The difference in colour clearly differentiates the two build periods including the entire upper window. The south gable, Plate 02, is also a new build (Heath 2012, pers com) therefore the origin of the fenestration here is also in doubt. The same has to be said for the southern half of the western elevation Plate03 however, the northern half is probably original with some possible work to the upper quoins, Plate 04. Plate 04 shows the northern gable end which does have some features of interest. The bottom half of the gable end retains some plaster work, consistent with an inner wall covering. Above this plasterwork level, the wall has been rendered with mortar suitable for an external face and some of the quoins re-pointed. At the base of the wall, which has no external batter, on each corner is a one or two course continuation of the east and west elevations. Internal detail: The internal space measures 4.49m x 11.17m giving an area of 50.15m A test pit, Plate 05, already dug centrally in the north gable end shows that the foundation extends with no batter into the underlying clay. A depth of 400mm was recorded at the survey but the unfortunately original floor level had to be estimated.

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Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan.

BS/LAG/12

Plates 06 & 07 show the internal joins of the east and west elevations to the north gable wall. Surprisingly, neither wall appears to be tied into the gable end which is particularly evident in Plate 06. Plate 06 also shows one of the potentially original split windows with its internal splay. A full view of the internal north gable can be seen in Plate 08. The wall has been rendered at some time in the past but where the render has decayed, it is possible to see the construction technique used including the use of horizontal timbers along the corners to provide for settling. Plate 08 also shows the position of the test pit described above and the surviving roof structure on the northern portion of the building. In view in Plate 08 is a roof truss of a pair of principle blades rising from a tie beam carrying a ridge purlin and two trenched side purlins, with the aid raked struts. The blades appear to have a half lap joint but the connection to the tie beam is not known. Between the principle rafters, Plate 09, the roof structure appears to be a mix of both planed and roundwood rafters at quite random spacing which support a mix of modern and older battens. The southern portion of the building is relatively new in construction as was discussed earlier. Plate 10 shows a test pit within central to the south gable end and shows the modern block work foundations. Plate 11 shows the position of the test pit; beneath the new window. Plate 11 also shows the make up of the ground internally as sterile red clay. It is probable that any internal structure may have been removed during earlier restoration work. Description of out building The out building is a three sided single storey, rubble walled construction consisting of two gable ends and a backing wall. The building measures 5.01m x 15.13m. Originally, gable roofed, nothing exists above the eaves, Plate 12. The surviving corners of the building are well defined with shaped stones. Internally the building measures 4.49m x 14.14m enclosing an area of 63.49m. Again, the building has had emergency consolidation work and Plates 13 & 14 show the extent of restoration undertaken at both the north and south gables, respectively. Additional features noted: To the south of the outbuilding and between it and the barn is a rough rectilinear area of rough vegetation over a slightly raised and undulating surface. This area corresponds to the position of the larger outbuilding noted in the map progressions. The area was difficult to photograph in any illustrative way. To the north west of the barn is a low wall which ends in a circular shaped corner which continues to the south west, Plate 15. The area is under coarse vegetation and difficult to interpret. Also to the north west of the barn and enclosed within the continuations of the east and west elevations mentioned above is an area of flagstone paving, Plate 16.

Phasing
Apart from the tenuous link to the sub-medieval property of Old House, discussed above, the earliest record of the property according to GGAT is 1805. The earliest record found during this research however, was the layout listing in the 1831, 1st series Colby Map although, the 1841 tithe map is perhaps more helpful as to what existed at the time. Using the map progressions to work from it is possible that the original buildings were the house/barn and the outbuilding to the south. This was then followed by the addition of the western outbuilding with both outbuildings adapted internally in the early twentieth century.

A.P.A.C. Ltd

Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan.

BS/LAG/12

The house was removed between 1901 and 1920 followed by the southern out building before 1973. The structure of the house itself adds more detail to the record. The northern gable wall of the barn is tied into the course of surviving wall running to the north/west. This would tend to suggest that the original building was that of the house with the barn added after. It must be remembered however that only a few courses of the wall remained making it difficult to establish the structural join with any certainty. That said, the internal butt joints of the barn elevations to the northern gable leave less doubt that they were added to rather than built as one. Of the rest of the barn, everything south of the threshing doors is probably of a fairly recent build.

Interpretation summary
It can be seen from the survey that there is little left of the original buildings and what is there, has been added to already. However, there does seem to be two areas of the site that have the potential to supply significant archaeological resources, fig 02. These have been identified as the position of the southern out building and the area to the north/west of the barn, formerly the house Ty Lucas.

Acknowledgements:
I would like to thank Mr Heath & Mr & Mrs Heath sen for their assistance and background knowledge and for allowing me to have a look around Old House itself. Thanks also to the contractor for his patience. Lastly, thanks to the staff at the Gwent Record Office.

A.P.A.C. Ltd References:

A.P.A.C. Ltd.

Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan.

BS/LAG/12

Written Scheme of Investigation for a Programme of Archaeological Work, Old House, Llangovan. 2012.

B.S. Technical Solutions Structural Appraisal of Barn at Old House, Llangovan Monmouthshire. 21/05/2010 Drawings: Existing plans and elevations Proposed conversion of dwelling Location Davies, R., 1999 English Heritage BP2130/01 BP2130/02 BP2130/03

The Tithe Maps of Wales. National Library of Wales, Cardiff. Management of Archaeological Projects (1991). Understanding Historic Buildings, A guide to good recording practice, (2008).

GGAT

MON1913/JBHD Proposed Conversion of Barn to Residential and Conversion of Existing Outbuilding to Garage and Store: Old House, Llangovan. Pl.App.No.: 2010/00452 Standard and Guidance for the archaeological investigation and recording of standing buildings or structures.

IFA

Monmouthshire County Council;

Notification of Approval of Planning Permission DC/2010/00452 10/02/2012 Report 277423. Evaluation report

The Society of Museum Archaeologists Sir Cyril Fox & Lord Raglan 1952. Maps

Towards An Accessible Archive (1995)

Monmouthshire Houses Pt II. Merton Priory Press and National Museum of Wales. Gwent County Records Office http://www.old-maps.uk/ http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/

Staff
Dr. Neil Phillips, AIFA. The copyright for this report shall remain with the A.P.A.C. Ltd.

A.P.A.C. Registered Address: 36 Hatherleigh Rd, Abergavenny Monmouthshire NP7 7RG. Tel: 07734962919. Mobile: 07734962919 Email: apac.philips@btinternet.com Company Registration No 5041541 VAT Reg No 826 3628 19

Director: Dr. N. Phillips D.Phil. M. Phil. BA (Hons).Cert Ed/FE. AIFA.

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Appendix I Digital Photographic Record A.P.A.C. Ltd Plate

P 01 P02 P03 P04 P 16 P 15 P13 P12 P14 P 08 P 09 P10 P 05 P 06 P 07 P11

Photo No Date
DSC02694 DSC02695 DSC02696 DSC02697 DSC02698 DSC02699 DSC02700 DSC02701 DSC02702 DSC02703 DSC02704 DSC02705 DSC02706 DSC02707 DSC02708 DSC02709 DSC02711 DSC02712 DSC02713

Camera

Size

Area

View Description
SW NE N E NE SE V NE elevation. Southern section is a recent build from the bottom corner of the 1st floor window SE gable end all new above ground West elevation, new build south of doorway NW gable end with original wall and plaster of south inner wall of former dwelling Partial remaining flag floor of former dwelling Raised curved wall to the NW of barn. Possible wall of former dwelling View of the raised wall showing the curve profile NW end of out building with new build NW and SW sides of outbuilding Internal view of southern corner of outbuilding showing new build Internal view of northern corner of outbuilding showing new build Internal view of NW gable of barn truss: principle rafter, tie beam, struts and replaced purlins Close up of truss: wooden pegged, tenon joints and lap joint at ridge Internal roof structure showing squared purlins and squared and uncut rafters Foundation at south east gable. New construction Foundation at north west gable Internal north east corner showing wooden construction elements Internal north west corner showing butt construction Internal floor at south end of barn

14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 14/09/2012 DSC-F828

3264x2448 Barn 3264x2448 Barn 3264x2448 Barn 3264x2448 Barn 3264x2448 Ty lucas 3264x2448 Ty lucas 3264x2448 Ty lucas

3264x2448 Out building SE 3264x2448 Out building E 3264x2448 Out building S 3264x2448 Out building NW 2448x3264 Barn 3264x2448 Barn 3264x2448 Barn 3264x2448 Barn 3264x2448 Barn 2448x3264 Barn 2448x3264 Barn 3264x2448 Barn NW NW NW SE NW N W SE

DSC02846 DSC02847 DSC02848

01/10/2012 DSC-F828 01/10/2012 DSC-F828 01/10/2012 DSC-F828

2448x3264 Tithe map 3264x2448 Tithe map 3264x2448 Tithe map

V V V

Overview of Tithe map Close up of Ty Lucas on Tithe Apportionment to tithe