Oxfordshire Woodland Group

A brick, block or stone built house would not be able to withstand such extreme deformations due to ground movement.

Building using timber structures could greatly reduce the need for deep excavations and mass concrete foundations. This would result in less damage to the environment and also most importantly contribute to helping make a reduction in global warming. Making cement is one of the worst offenders demanding huge input of heat.

David & Barbara Martin advise that this house is called Tolhurst, Smarden, Kent and has now been "straightened".

A short description of the evolution and development (2phases) of this c.1420-1480 farmhouse can be seen on pp 114-115 in PEARSON, S., BARNWELL, P.S. and ADAMS, A.T. 1994. A Gazetteer of Medieval Houses in Kent. Swindon: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England.

Tolhurst was illustrated by local artist Leslie W Rowsell who recorded many local Kent & East Sussex buildings for publication on postcards. This highlights that the deformation took place some considerable time ago.