The Guildhouse

SX 29 NW POUNDSTOCK POUNDSTOCK

10/148 The Guildhouse 29.9.61

GV I

Guildhouse. C15 origins. Circa early C16 remodelling, restoration of 1919 by E H Sedding. Stone rubble to first floor level, whitewashed plastered cob above, slate roof gabled at north and south ends, axial brick chimney. Original plan of 10 bay open hall. Stack and first floor inserted probably early C16. First floor entrance from churchyard at north gable end, 2 ground floor entrances on west side via a walled approach with stone coping. 2 storeys. Buttresses with weatherings, 3 to west side, 2 to east side. Timber 4-light mullioned windows throughout look early C16 in form, mostly repaired 1919. Ground floor windows have chamfered lintels and sills, 4 round-headed lights with ogee chamfers and moulded mullions. King and outer mullions have small hollow chamfers and a bead moulding, subsidiary mullions have small hollow chamfers. Leaded panes. Southernmost window on east side unrestored. First floor windows similar in form irregularly arranged and slightly smaller with roll mouldings. 4 window west front has 2 probably 1919 plank entrance doors with older frames under wider timber lintels. Blocked opening with timber frame to ground floor left; 4 ground floor windows, 4 first floor windows. Lead guttering and down pipes may be C18. North gable end has first floor C16 timber doorframe with slightly cambered head under a timber lintel. Bead moulding on lintel and jambs. On either side of the door is a small 2-light C16 timber mullioned window with ogee-headed chamfers. Left-hand window looks original. Right-hand window under heavy timber lintel. Interior: 11 C15 trusses with principals with curved feet resting on wall plate. Slightly cambered collars mortised into principals, 3 tiers of threaded purlins, principals mortised at apex, diagonally-set ridge. Some replacement of roof timbers but smoke-blackening on originals seems to be throughout. Partition wall at stack, but room otherwise undivided. C20 fireplace to south side of stack. East side wall plate original. No stair to ground floor. Ground floor interior not inspected but large cross beams are supported on engaged brick piers. In the Churchwardens' Accounts the building is described as the "Parish Alms House", the "Church House" and the "Poor House". In 1811 it was inhabited by 8 paupers. In 1858 the first floor was used as a schoolroom and the ground floor was use as a sexton's room and stables with a reference to a stone staircase. Outstanding survival of a medieval guildhouse. J G Edwards, The Story of Poundstock Church and Parish (Poundstock, 1979)

Listing NGR: SX2020699405