A 400-YEAR-OLD cottage which was engulfed by fire is commemorating its restoration – with a barbecue.

The picturesque Gordon Cottage, in South Marston, caught fire on May 11 last year, reducing the homestead described as ‘chocolate box’ to nothing more than a charred shell.

It is not known what caused the blaze, but it is thought to have been down to the chimney overheating or a rogue spark setting the thatched roof on fire.

But nine fire engines and scores of firefighters were needed to tackle it, and the road was closed for two days.

Now owner Alf Harmer, who was forced to live in a caravan in the aftermath, will host a celebration with his wife for those who helped the two of them during hard times.

And what better way than with a flame-grilled garden gathering, due to take place this Sunday at the house in Thornhill Road, and as many as 70 are expected.

The 71-year-old retired businessman, who moved back in to the cottage in June with wife Gloss, 68, said: “It just left a shell really. But we decided we just had to restore it.

“It is a 400-year-old cottage – you just can’t leave it. When you have refurbished it, it just becomes a part of you.

“Our insurance company said we were insured enough to do it, so that’s what we did.”

In the wake of the fire, it seemed as if the entire community rallied round, from the village and beyond, with scores of helpers working in a chain-gang style to load the debris onto trucks.

Food and cards also started arriving at his caravan parked close to the house.

“We’re doing the barbecue for those people,” he said.

“After the firemen left, it was a hell of a mess to clear up. There was six tonnes of thatch. There was a fair bit of stuff that had to go out. People turned up to give us a hand and got rid of it.

“It’s just amazing really – people would turn up with bags of shopping, and say ‘I’ve bought you coffee and cakes’. People would turn up and leave lasagnes in the evening.

“We didn’t ask for any help. We just started doing it ourselves, then someone else turned up, then someone else. From the time the fire started to when we finished it probably took, all in all, about four weeks to clear the mess.”

The couple lived in a caravan for five weeks, then rented a place in Shrivenham for a year, before being able to finally move back in to their home.

The restoration is estimated to have cost £300,000-plus.

The barbecue is a thank you for everyone, including the firefighters who extinguished the blaze in the first place.

“They’ll be coming, but not to put another fire out,” said Mr Harmer.

The event takes place from 2pm and is by invitation only.