Restored barn at Wat Tyler Country Park could be used for farmers’ markets (From Echo)

Restored barn at Wat Tyler Country Park could be used for farmers’ markets

6:00am Saturday 20th March 2010 in

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A TOUCH of the continent will be coming to a Pitsea beautyspot.

An old machine store at Wat Tyler Country Park, in Pitsea Hall Lane, is to be converted into a pretty Dutch barn.

The scruffy metal roof will be stripped off to reveal the building’s wooden framework and the roof will be replaced with artificial slate panels to create the picturesque building.

Work will begin next week on refurbishing the old building, which was previously used to store industrial machines used to maintain the park.

The barn will have an open side, providing a nice setting for visitors to enjoy during the summer.

It is hoped once the Dutch barn is finished, it will also be used for farmers’ markets, outdoor picnics and other events.

Kevin Blake, Basildon councillor responsible for leisure and arts, said: “This renovation follows in the spirit of the new Wat Tyler Centre, where a disused building has been brought back to life for visitors to the park.

“The park has so much going for it already, and this will add another attraction and gives us more options for outdoor events.

“It is great we can re-use buildings like this to give them a new lease of life and improve the experience for our residents and visitors to the park.”

A multi-million pound scheme is already under way to turn Wat Tyler Park into a heritage site and tourist attraction which will have an educational visitors centre.