WORK on a long-awaited project to return a medieval barn in Nailsea to its former glory has begun.

Illminster-based contractor W Coombes and Son has moved on site to start the £950,000 project to refurbish the historic Tithe Barn, which sits next to Holy Trinity Church.

Preliminary work started in April but major building work has now begun, with the concrete base being laid for an extension to the barn to house new toilets, kitchen and a storeroom.

The old plaster has been knocked off the walls to expose the original stone and the suspended ceiling has been taken down to expose the roof space.

Scaffolding has been put up outside and inside the building, which dates back to the 15th century, and work to restore, and where this is not possible replace, the roof timbers – a major element of the project – will be carried out between August and October.

The project, which is being led by the Tithe Barn Trust and Nailsea Town Council, is expected to finish in April 2011.

Nailsea Town Council clerk Ian Morrell said: "We are very pleased with the work which has been carried out to date and our contractors are on schedule.

"This project will see this 500-year-old building completely restored and turned into an outstanding centre for the whole community to use and enjoy."

The scheme, which has been in the pipeline for several years, has been funded with a £500,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Nailsea Town Council has earmarked £150,000 and has raised a further £320,000 by selling off its current headquarters at Silver Street to Nailsea Baptist Church.

A donation of £10,000 has also been given by Holy Trinity Church and the trustees have held a number of successful fundraising events to bolster the coffers.

A Sponsor a Beam initiative has also been launched and proved successful, with £10,000 being raised in pledges and from English Heritage.

Nailsea Town Council will move out of Church House on August 5 and move temporarily to offices at Ivy Court in the town centre before moving to a new, purpose-built office at the barn.

Plans for the grade II-listed barn, which over the years has fallen into a state of disrepair, will see three new meeting rooms created as well as the extension.

The hidden oak roof is also being restored and opened up as part of the scheme and will become an integral feature of the ancient building.

Once open, it is hoped the barn will become a hub of community life and will be available for hire to local organisations and for private parties, including wedding receptions, seven days a week.

The historic building was used as a tithe barn until the late 1700s and in 1792 opened as Hannah More School.

It continued to operate as a school until the 1970s when North Somerset Council took it over and used it as a day centre. In the late 1990s the authority closed the day centre and announced plans to knock down the building and build flats on the site.

But the news caused an outcry among the community, who fought for Nailsea Town Council to take over the building on a 125-year lease.

Since then, the barn has been used by a number of community groups and the congregation of neighbouring Holy Trinity Church.

Beams are still available to sponsor at various rates ranging from £25 for individual rafters to £500 for the principal trusses.

All sponsors will receive a Certificate of Appreciation and will have their names recorded either on the beam itself or in a Book of Recognition. Application forms can be downloaded from www.nailseatithe barn.co.uk

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