I realised this cross beam was fire damaged, as can also be seen on the wall and upper roof beams. There must have been stove of some sort in the corner of the room with a chimney up the back wall and roof at some time that damaged the centre of the beam.
I cut the centre of the beam and removed it from the support holes either side. I then installed two supported from the back wall to the second beam and this allowed me to cut the old cross beam to size either side and secure with bolts, that will eventually be largely hidden but the insulated plasterboard.
Once the old beams have been sand blasted and the new sections stained, they should blend in. The 1,000 x 700mm opening in the ceiling in front of the rear door will have a reinforced glazed light well installed to let some natural light to the upper attic room if all works out!
