WORK is under way to restore Tyneham Farm, which has been closed to the public since the evacuation of the village in 1943.

Swanage-based artist Lynda Price has set out to restore the centuries-old farm buildings and plans to open the great barn as The History Barn to be used as a community space with interpretive displays placing the farm in its historical and environmental context.

"I can't stand that phrase visitor centre', it's so dry and dull," says Lynda.

"What I love about Tyneham is that it's a great place for people of all ages where they are not hassled by ice cream sellers, hot dog stands and souvenir stalls.

"The Army does not have a vast budget of taxpayers' money for Tyneham, so I've had to get very good at asking people for things for nothing and the £2 parking fee really does pay for the upkeep."

Tyneham and the surrounding area was evacuated in 1943 to allow Allied troops to exercise in the build-up to the Normandy landings. The villagers and the estate's owners, the Bond family, never returned.

Retained as part of Lulworth Ranges, for decades it remained largely unseen until the Ministry of Defence agreed greater public access on weekends and holidays.

In 1994, the old school was reopened, restored to how it looked in the 1920s. Work followed on the church and many of the cottages with a series of displays explaining village life.

"The farmhouse is only two bricks high, so that is lost, as are some of the other buildings," says Lynda.

"But the Great Barn, the granary, stables, tack room and cowsheds are all there.

"So is the mysterious bull house which had a chicken coop on top."

Lynda is on the look out for pre-1940s farm equipment and if you have any old implements or other ephemera that may find a home at Tyneham, please contact Range Liaison Officer, Lt Col Ken Davies on 01929 404714.

  • See the Magazine with Saturday's Echo for a full feature on the restoration work at Tyneham Farm. Also, historic photos and a look at the buildings as they are now.