THE tower restoration project at the Parish Church of St Peter Ad Vincula in Ashwater has received initial development funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to bring the project forward.

The project set up by the Ashwater Parochial Church Council has two aims. The first is to repair and restore the fabric of the tower that has suffered from severe damp penetration and to replace the lead valley gutter along the south transept.

The project also aims to renovate the ground floor of the tower to provide new kitchen facilities within it, together with toilet facilities and a flexible space that could be used as a meeting place, crèche or exhibition space elsewhere within the church.

It is also proposed to make the church's rich heritage and Grade I listed status more readily available to visitors through the use of digital media.

As part of the initial support, development funding of £47,200 has also been awarded to help Ashwater PCC progress their plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.

David Bone, project manager for the Ashwater Church Tower project, said: 'We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this initial support. With the help of the local community this will enable us to bring forward plans to preserve this important Grade I building for future generations to enjoy.'

The development stage will provide the chance to carry out investigations and prepare the necessary reports, costings and architect's drawings by the summer of 2015, which will allow a second application to be submitted to HLF in the autumn of 2015.

If this second application is successful, works to St Peter Ad Vincula could start in January 2016. Dependent on the extent, works could take 18 months to complete.

The church is the focal point for the local community and is currently used by many groups. Evidence points to a church on the site as early as the 13th century with many later alterations and additions, including the tower in the 15th century.

The project aims to carry out essential conservation and modernisation work, with the help and support of the local community — with particular emphasis on the young.

It is proposed that the ongoing works be streamed both on the internet and in the church. An educational programme is planned that will aim to run in all the schools within the benefice.

It is also proposed that volunteers will be given the necessary training to take forward a number of programmes, such as greeters and guides. Craft demonstrations including stone masonry and carpentry are also planned.

The project will be officially launched in the church at the Benefice Christingle service on Sunday, December 7, at 4pm.