Alan | The Barn Holwick

HOLWICK SCARECROW TRAIL

Alan — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 09:33:24 +0000

After a lengthy period of Covid induced inactivity at The Barn it has become very hectic these last few weeks.

Following the announcement that lockdown measures were going to be eased Lisa and I set about to do the many jobs that needed doing to get The Barn ready for the hoped for surge in bookings. This was mainly painting all the exterior woodwork and some significant work in the garden.

Once the date for lifting lockdown on self catering accommodation was released the bookings did indeed come flying in. The last two weeks in July and the whole of August is fully booked. I have even taken a booking for the first two weeks in August 2021!

Dominic Cummins eye test trip to Barnard Castle

In the Holwick community the lifting of spirits has been marked with our own scarecrow trail…thanks to Jennie. The theme is ‘Key Workers’ and the people of Holwick have certainly risen to the challenge with 22 scarecrows, which is impressive given the small population of the hamlet. It has been great to see lots of people – mainly families – having some fun following the trail. See the image for my first ever attempt at a scarecrow. Dominic Cummings says he drove to Barnard Castle to test his eyesight – video | Politics | The Guardian

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UPDATE ON THE BARN JULY 2020 and COVID 19

Alan — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 16:58:39 +0000

UPDATE ON THE BARN JULY 2020

After four months of almost complete inactivity at The Barn due to the Coronavirus pandemic we are pleased to announce that we are open for business from July 4th 2020.

Whilst it has been very quiet in respect of visitors, the locals in Holwick-and I include the animals as well as residents in that-have been enjoying the peace and quiet.

The song thrushes that built nests that failed in each of the last two years did not return this year but we have had partridges and a full pheasant family: mum, dad and chicks, all picking up scraps from the feeders. Several families of ducks commute regularly up and down the stream. At the front of The Barn we have a nesting pair of Chaffinches in the Jasmine and a pair of Spotted Flycatchers sat on eggs in the Forsythia. Lapwing, Curlew, Golden Plover and Swallows all returned as normal although some of the locals say they are in reduced numbers.

The owls are back. In fact mum never leaves, she has found a mate but this year did not nest in the owl box but somewhere else nearby, possibly in the roof space of the pub. They had THREE chicks which they did well to rear and get out of the nest. Sadly one did not survive but the remaining two seem strong and healthy and can often be seen and heard around The Barn most evenings.

The warm, dry spring was ideal for lambing but the prolonged drought was potentially a problem for the grass. The rain of the last few weeks seems to have done the trick and the meadows are starting to develop their full range of species.

The lockdown has been difficult for the local economy as it relies heavily on tourism for income. Sadly one casualty has been the Strathmore Arms which will not be reopening this weekend. The pub is up for sale and there has been interest, hopefully it will bounce back with new owners who will carry on the great job that Anthony and Selina have done over the last nine years.

In recent weeks we have been working hard to get The Barn ready for guests. Most of the work has been outside, painting all the woodwork and tidying up the garden. Some time has also been spent with paperwork related to Covid 19 and the business. A risk assessment has been completed, an enhanced cleaning regime is in place and the website updated. This has all meant that ‘We’re Good to Go’, which is a government scheme that recognises the business has followed government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, ensuring processes are in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social/physical distancing.

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It Was A Cosy Self Catering Christmas At The Barn, Holwick. Even Mr and Mrs Owl are snuggled up together

Alan — Sat, 21 Dec 2019 17:30:50 +0000

ALL READY FOR A COSY CHRISTMAS AT THE BARN

With just four days to Christmas we are just about ready at The Barn.

Christmas ‘tree’ up and decorated. Actually it’s a large twig from the garden! No expense spared; we are in Yorkshire after all!

Nature Update

Mrs Owl seems to have paired up with a mate as the two of them are always to be seen side by side on their favourite branch. The owl box has fresh wood shavings in so hopefully we will have a repeat of last year when she managed to successfully rear two chicks.

The local birds are enjoying the seeds and fatballs in the garden. Currently there is a mob of long tailed tits having a feed.

Weather Report

The Barn is warm and ready for guests arriving tomorrow for a few days. There was quite a good snow fall last week, but that has all cleared, though some does remain on the high ground. Sadly it doesn’t look like it will be a white Christmas at Holwick as there is little prospect of any snow in the coming week.

Local Update

The Strathmore Arms continues to be the hub of the community and the place to go for a catch up, as well as good food and beer. Tourist numbers have been down over the Autumn as Winch Bridge over the Tees has been closed. The good news is that it has been successfully repaired and is now open. Visitors and locals can now walk freely over this stunning little bridge between Holwick and Bowlees.

The pictures attached are by popular Teesdale photographer Martin Rogers. Martin’s has a new 2020 calendar for sale which features stunning pictures of Teesdale throughout the year. Follow the link to his website to find out more.

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THE BARN HOLWICK JULY UPDATE 2019

Alan — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 13:35:05 +0000

JULY UPDATE AT THE BARN HOLWICK

ARCHAEOLOGY

A team fom Altogether Archaeology returned in May for their third visit to the site located opposite the Barn At Holwick (indicated in the photograph). They re-excavated and extended part of their earlier dig and opened up new trenches. They revealed more building structures from the Mediaeval period: pottery and other domestic artefacts. Whilst I was on a site visit one of the archaeologists unearthed a coin (see image). The findings suggest a settlement of some significance.

About 50 m away they also investigated what, to the untrained eye, looked like a random scatter of stones. It turns out that it was the remains of a Bronze age ridge cairn. Find out more about ridge cairn and the dig at Holwick by clicking on this link https://altogetherarchaeology.org/

WEATHER REPORT

Winter ended with a bit of a whimper – there wasn’t as much snow as last year and it was certainly warmer, which was good for the farmers and the estate. Spring came with its carpet of snowdrops followed by daffodils and bluebells and no cold snap, which suited the newly hatched grouse and the lambs.

Now summer is here. It is a bit more mixed than last year which is fine for most as many found it too hot and dry. Grass is growing and the meadows are now in full bloom. Selina’s garden at the Strathmore Arms is looking fantastic and my fruit and veg certainly appreciates the showers as well as the sun.

NATURE WATCH

The Tawney’s have done well following their near-death experience last year (LINK). They have nested in the owl box in the garden of The Barn and reared two healthy chicks. They ‘twins’ seem to be, inseparable-often to be seen side by side high up in the trees calling for more food. PHOTO

We have a resident pheasant in the garden who enjoys the fall out from the bird feeder. PHOTO?

Mr and Mrs Duck have also done well; all eight of their brood seem to have survived. The same cannot be said of the Song Thrush. A pair nested in the woodstore in exactly the same place as last year, but, as with last year, they abandoned the nest with eggs in during a cold spell and they did not survive. We do have some newcomers – a pair of spotted flycatchers have nested in the jasmine at the front of The Barn and are busily rearing their chicks.

MOVIES – ON LOCATION SPEILBERG’S 1917

Hollywood came to Teesdale in June with the arrival of Steven Spielberg’s film company. They were making a film called “1917”; a First WW epic starring Benedict Cumberbach, Richard Madden and Colin Firth. Directed by Sam Mendes it is due for release in January 2010. A number of locations around Teesdale were use, including extensive filming at Low Force and Wynch Bridge. The event was very newsworthy and interesting but not without its disruption. https://www.teesdalemercury.co.uk/news/steven-spielbergs-war-epic-1917-is-being-made-at-low-force-sources-say

The arrival of summer meant that we have been able to enjoy the new French doors to the full. Being summer the sun gets on the back of the kitchen for part of the morning so having al fresco breakfast with the doors both open has been wonderful.

Just had our annual inspection from Visit England and The Barn has comfortably retained its 4* rating…. “A well established holiday cottage set in an idyllic and peaceful location and an ideal base from which to tour Teesdale.”

And finally…it’s that time of year when the beer festival is imminent at The Strathmore Arms www.strathmoregold.co.uk opposite The Barn (26^th-28^th July) which yet again coincides with my birthday. Aren’t I the lucky one?

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Has Spring Come Early at The Barn?

Alan — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 17:01:41 +0000

Spring Snowdrops

The arrival of Snowdrops typically mark the beginning of the end of winter and a promise of spring. The exceptionally mild weather of the last two weeks has encouraged the Snowdrops to wake up. The garden at The Barn is awash with a carpet of these attractive little flowers. Crocus and Daffodils next?

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