Listed Building: PONDEROSA AND POST OFFICE COTTAGE (279872)

COMBS TANNERY ROAD TM 05 NW Post Office Cottage and Ponderosa 2/97 (formerly listed as cottages 9.12.55 immediately north of the Post Office GV II* Two houses, built as one farmhouse. The main range comprises an open hall of late C14 or c.1400; the adjoining parlour cross-wing to left was added in late C16. Timber-framed and roughcast. Plaintiled roof, with one gabled casement dormer to main range. An axial late C16 chimney of red brick with 3 tall diagonally-set square shafts is at the junction of the two ranges. Various C19 and C20 casements. A C20 flush entrance door. The cross-wing, of 2 storeys and attics, has an oversailing gable tie-beam at back and front, well- carved with a running design in the late C16 manner; at the front is a pair of bargeboards with good vinescroll carving. The 2-bay open hall probably has a high survival of early features, but these were mainly concealed at date of survey. The open truss has a moulded cambered tie-beam with concealed arch- braces; an octagonal crownpost has a moulded capital and thick 4-way braces. Good quality close-studding. A splayed and tabled scarf joint with an edge key in the rear wall plate indicates high quality carpentry and a 14th century construction date, and demonstrates the early introduction of close-studding in central Suffolk. A first floor was inserted into the hall in mid C16: massive main beams, with broach-stopped chamfers. A storeyed cell to right was replaced by a lean-to extension in C19. A lean-to extension to left is separately occupied and is not of special interest. Listing NGR: TM0432656412