A stunning 400-year-old barn that once hosted a meeting between Civil War commanders has been rescued from ruin by a Leeds charity.
The historic barn at Crag House Farm near Cookridge is helping put the city’s vulnerable homeless people on the road to a brighter future thanks to a £1.4m restoration project.
The farm is the home of Caring for Life, which is celebrating their 25th anniversary.
After transforming the 17th Century barn into the new Granary cafe social enterprise, organisers are hoping to generate more money to help with their work to provide homes and long-term support for vulnerable homeless young people.
Caring For Life co-founder Esther Smith said: “This beautiful barn, which is steeped in history, will now help to secure the future of some of the most vulnerable people in our city of Leeds.
“Profits from the social enterprise will be ploughed straight back into the charity, ensuring the charity’s supported homes and the work of the housing support team who visit lonely and vulnerable people in the community, will continue long into the future, despite the loss of government funding this year. Others will gain work experience training in the Granary helping them to find employment in the retail or food industry.”
Yesterday’s opening ceremony was performed by the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe.
The Grade II listed barn was built by carpenters and stone masons on Cookridge Moor around 400 years ago.
It is thought to have been the venue for a meeting between Parliamentarian leaders Oliver Cromwell and Lord Fairfax after the Battle of Marston Moor in North Yorkshire in 1644.
Caring for Life is a Christian charity set up in 1987. As well as working to provide housing, they also run a series of daytime projects including arts and crafts, music and agriculture.
For more details visit: www.caringforlife.co.uk
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