PROGRESS continues at Our Lady of the Assumption and St Mary Magdalen Church in Tavistock to repair and enhance one of the town's iconic buildings.

The Catholic Church, in Callington Road, has seen continuous restoration since 2009 involving necessary, but costly, structural work to the Victorian building, which was erected between 1865 and 1867.

Much of the substantial funding needed has been raised through the efforts of the congregation although it has been able to attract monies from various granting bodies.

Efforts started in 2010 to raise the £60,000; the parish committing itself to raise the full amount; and this target was achieved.

Grants came from the Allchurches Trust, £650; Devon Historic Churches, £2,000; Garfield Weston Foundation, £3,000, National Churches Trust, £10,000.

As the church is a grade two listed building, †the parish worked closely with English Heritage, the Historic Churches Commission and West Devon Borough Council.

This year plans have been approved for the installation of a ramp, together with glass doors, into the north porch to ease access for disabled people. Granite matching used for the existing steps; and Hurdwick facing stone, has been sourced.

Parishioner Peter Jones, who is one of the committee members for the church's repair and enhancement, told the Times: 'The connection from the church to the main sewer in Callington Road was completed in June and the lavatory and hand basin facilities are now installed.

'There will be little nostalgia by any parishioners for the dash across the car park in wind and rain to the previous portable loo.

'The glass doors should be installed before Christmas; and the ramp and steps in January.

'The louvres high in the tower have been sealed with netting, to eliminate the mess from the pigeons and jackdaws that have called the tower home for many years. As part of this exercise, two skips of pigeon droppings were removed from the floor of the tower.'

Parishoners, and the young people at the church, raised a bumper £380 for Catholic Agency For Overseas Development (CAFOD), which helps to alleviate poverty and suffering in developing countries. They raised the money by holding a family fast day.

Donations towards the repair and enhancement would be most welcome. Contact Peter Jones on 01822 614309 or through the church website at http://www.ourladytavistock.org.uk">www.ourladytavistock.org.uk