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At last the
restoration of the Tithe Barn has started.
After a pre-qualification process five specialist
firms were invited to bid for the restoration and
extension scheme. Even in a competitive market, all
the five Tenders for the work came in over budget.
Post tender negotiations were entered into in order
to trim the costs and eventually the contract was
awarded to W. Coombes and Sons Ltd. of Ilminster.
This firm specializes in conservation and
restoration and the Tithe Barn Trust and Town
Council are confident the finished result will be
something the Town can take great pride in.
Work has
already started and will be completed by April 2011
overseen by the Trust's project manager Colm
O'Kelly. The total cost of the
construction project is around £1m plus fees and
other costs of about £200,000, and this could not
have been raised without a great deal of work and
dedication and the backing of the local Town
Council, local groups and individuals. It has
been a truly exemplary team effort and shows how a
community, given widespread support and local
enthusiasm can achieve great things.
�500,000 of
the cost is met by a grant from the Heritage
Lottery. £110,000 has been achieved with grant
aid from English Heritage, Yanley and North Somerset
Environmental Company and smaller charitable
organisations. Holy Trinity Church has
committed £50,000 towards the project and the Town
Council has sold Church House for £320,000 and
raised a further £150,000 in borrowing from the
Public Works Loan Board. In addition through
local initiatives and the generosity of the people
of Nailsea a further £35,000 has been raised.
The Town Council is underwriting remaining
expenditure whilst the Trust continues to raise
funds. A truly amazing achievement.
The Barn, a
Grade II* Listed Building has been saved for future
generations. It was Listed because of
its large medieval roof structure and the fact that
it was one of the famous Hannah More Sunday Schools
from the 1780s-1830s.
The inside of
the restored Barn will feature the wonderful
medieval roof structure in the main hall. This room
will be able to seat 100 people. This will be
perfect for wedding receptions, community events or
conferences. Two smaller rooms will also be
available for hire ideal for small meetings. (The
Town Council tel: 01275 855277 would like to hear
from potential hirers). In addition the Town
Council, will occupy part of the building. The
extension will house the kitchen, toilets, stores
and boiler room.
The Town
Council is required to vacate Church House in August
and will take up temporary accommodation in Ivy
Court, 61 High Street, Nailsea until the new offices
are ready.
From August 31st
2010 Church House will belong to Nailsea Baptist Church.
Nailsea Town Clerk Ian Morrell said “This project
has been hugely successful. Church House will
be refurbished by the Baptist Church and given a new
lease of life and the Tithe Barn will have been
saved from dereliction and turned into a brand new
community facility in the Town for the enjoyment of
generations to come”.
Congratulations should go to
all involved.
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