A NEW group in South Tawton is hoping Heritage Lottery funding will be forthcoming for a £160,000 project to preserve and renovate an ancient 15th century community building which has one of the most unique thatched roofs in Devon.
The Grade II listed Church House is special because of its smoke-blackened thatched roof inside the building.
This feature, caused by the open fire long before a first floor was built, has drawn hundreds of visitors to the site, but the remainder of the building is now in desperate need of work.
The Friends of the Church House Project Group has been set up to raise several thousands of pounds towards the work, which it hopes will be funded in the main by a Heritage Lottery grant.
Treasurer of the group David Youle said an application would be submitted in the autumn by the Church House Management Committee and it would be backed by English Heritage.
Mr Youle said: ?We are hopeful but at this point we do not know if the bid will be a success.
?The importance of this granite and thatch building, which has been a community resource ever since it was built, has been recognised and so we keep our fingers crossed.?
Work will include re-thatching the outside, a new floor, doors and window repairs, heating and lighting and new toilets and a kitchen.
Mr Youle said once renovated, the building would be open to a lot more use by the community including lectures and small musical events.
?The whole project will cost around £160,000 to bring it up to the standard required by English Heritage and the Dartmoor National Park Authority and we hope to get it started in the spring of next year,? added Mr Youle.
A jumble sale and open gardens day are two of the events lined up by the fundraising group.
If anyone wants to join the Friends of South Tawton or find out more about the group they can call Mr Youle on 01837 840418.