Hi Dave,

Its some time since I visited this barn - nearly 20 years ago ! and so you might well be correct. If you revisit then please try and get a good digi pic of this feature since my version is made with colour film now more than a little deteriorated. I think that what I previously described as the lantern should probably more accurately be descrbed as a vast centrally positioned haymow from which the cows were fed on a floor around the perimeter of the barn. I seem to recall that the metal support rods were underneath and supported the posts between the cow floor and hay mow which logically must have been above the manure trench. It would be good if you could tell us how these rods are anchored at both ends and how these anchor points were kept stable as construction of the barn took place.

Regards

Ken Hume