We’re keen to support worthwhile new ventures and this looks an important one: the first series of Liminal Time workshops. Roundhill Barn has already hosted three powerful sessions by the founders of Liminal Time; one post-Covid reflection, one discussion on all aspects of end-of-life and one specifically on assisted dying.
All were deeply moving, effective and highly rated by all participants.
Getting end of life right is among the most important things we do, and there’s a lot of scope for improvement. So we wish the new Liminal Time venture all success.
Marking the shortest day is one of the most important things we do all year.
We gathered in the clump and heard two poems, pleased to be joined by two passing walkers.We strolled back down the hill after sunset. Candlelit mulled wine in the barn.
Knowing that we’re now looking forward to longer days somehow takes all the strain out of Christmas. Can’t recommend it too highly. If you want to join us next year be in touch.
Tuesday started with an early visit from an eight-wheeler, with vital rear-wheel steering, delivering the screed to cover the underfloor pipes which we now expect never to see again.
First there’s a “slump test” to check the mixture is the right consistency:
Then the curiously satisfying filling of the floor with screed pumped through a fat hose:
So now we finally have the floor at the originally designed level. The pipes will carry about 100l of hot water, about a tenth of the total 1000l capacity of the solar-heated thermal store. From here the floor will take a day to dry enough to walk on. It should be ready to take heat once it’s thoroughly dried in about four weeks. Bear with us while there’s that interruption in service.
Once it’s all dry and working we can see how much the solar thermal system warms the floor extending the season into spring and autumn.
Just being pressure-tested: these pipes add up to around 100l capacity, which is 10% of our thermal store size. There’s been some sun today, and the thermal store is at 45c. Screed goes down next week.
Work is now under way to complete the barn floor – which a decade ago was just plain earth – with underfloor heating pipes. The idea is to extend the season and make the barn cosier for memorials and awaydays in spring and autumn.
Heating will come as far as possible from the Abora hybrid photo-voltaic thermal panels, with backup from an efficient LPG boiler. Barn will be out of use for six weeks or so.
James and Luke setting base layer of insulation before adding the pipes.
This month we’ve been glad to receive visits from the Woodland Trust, Forest of Avon Trust, and Avon Wildlife Trust (also representing Buglife). The original aims of the landowners on taking over Kelston Roundhill were threefold: restore viable farming; improve biodiversity with good stewardship; and develop appropriate amenity use.
These visits have been focussed on the second of those: biodiversity. We planted 5500 trees in Barrows Style and elsewhere back in 2012. Now 12 years later our visitors from Woodland Trust and Forest of Avon commented on a largely successful and pleasingly diverse plantation, albeit with a regrettable share of dead or dying ash and all under sustained attack from male grey squirrels.
The idea is to prepare more formal management plans both for the trees and for the ground flora underneath. We’re just taking out the plastic tubes, and there may be some further interventions needed. There’s no particular business model for the plantation, but it’s increasingly pleasing and beautiful and it would be helpful to have a roadmap.
We like to accelerate the growth of wildflowers under the tree canopy both in the new plantation and in the clump itself. We’d like to restore what seem to be ancient ponds in Roundhill fields. So we look forward to seeing if these aims are in line with the objectives of these local NGOs and to what extent they can help with that.
Kerri from Avon Wildlife Trust walked over the species rich fields which the Trust surveyed 12 years ago. The Trust can help landowners with management plans and surveys.
Kelston Roundhill is not particularly in the business of being a film location, and we’re not promoting it as such. But we all watch TV and movies so feel some responsibility to co-operate with the industry. If you think you want to use Kelston Roundhill as a venue for professional filmmaking we will try to respond helpfully and professionally.
This clearly ridiculous image is generated by AI. It is *not* Kelston Roundhill, and film makers are advised not to perch in the tree tops.
Any agreement would be based on access to Roundhill Barn, with added permission to enter the surrounding fields on foot or in light vehicles if needed. You’ll be expected to leave no trace, to ensure all crew understand and abide by the Countryside Code and to do nothing to interfere with the working farm.
There is ample parking for cars. If you’re bringing trucks and vans this will work in dry weather when the ground is firm but you’ll be limited for parking when the ground is muddy.
Rates for outside use only (using the barn itself just for loos and servicing of the shoot) are
£500 per half day or less
£1,200 per 12 hour day
If you’re using the interior of Roundhill Barn rates are
£700 per half day or less
£1,500 per 12 hour day
We reserve the right to add the cost of cleaners. We require a (refundable) deposit of £2000 against any damage, mess or overstay.
This includes our admin time, check in and check out. It does not include having our staff on site for the duration. If you need a farm hand to attend (eg for cattle supervision) that costs £60/hr.
You will need to use our standard licensing agreement contract. We can add your standard clauses about rights and publicity if you want. If we’re required to sign your contract there will be a £240 admin fee, and you will need to include our contract terms in the agreement.
All prices plus VAT.
If it’s a student or art project with budget under £1000 please contact us for help. We may be able to arrange access without use of any facilities.
Kelston Roundhill and Roundhill Barn 