AN online crowdfunding appeal to support the restoration of the ancient spire of Porlock’s St Dubricius Church has reached its £1,500 target.

However, donations can still be made to the appeal, which is also supporting traditional crafts and encouraging engagement with local heritage.

A spokesperson said: “For centuries our church’s unique flat-topped wooden spire has stood as a landmark of our shared history.

“It sits right in the centre of Porlock and can be seen for miles both up on the moorland and down on the marsh.

“Today, it is in danger.

“The external cladding is failing, nails which hold the shingles are giving way, and there is other damage to woodwork.

“And, it is worse than it looks from the ground.

“If we do not act to repair the spire, it will gradually deteriorate until it becomes unsafe to use the building or the churchyard.

“The oak shingles that clad the spire were last replaced nearly 100 years ago and are now failing and falling off.

“Rainwater that gets in through the gaps is now affecting the ancient structural timbers.

“Fallen shingles, exposing sarking, and allowing water ingress.”

The church is also applying for a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund following a huge amount of work over several years to draw up a detailed bid.

The spokesperson said: “We are reasonably confident, but not certain, that they will grant it.

“However, the Heritage Lottery Fund will not cover the whole of the costs.

“We have to look to other grant-awarding bodies, and also raise money ourselves through concerts, quizzes, and similar fund-raisers.

“We hope to raise £50,000 locally.

“If we can raise this money, and secure the Heritage Lottery grant, that, together with smaller, but still substantial grants from other bodies, will secure the future of the spire hopefully well into the 22nd century.

“The lottery will also fund other church repairs and improvements, but the spire is the main focus.”The spire project is being used to involve villagers and children to make them more deeply conscious of the history and heritage of the village.

It will also extend to visitors to Porlock, which is a tourist destination.

The work will support local traditional industry, and traditional crafts, and will provide training for new entrants to those crafts.

While the work goes on, there will be demonstrations and exhibitions to show the skills employed, and to stimulate interest in traditional woodworking and building.

The spokesperson said: “This project is about people as much as it is about architecture.

“We are partnering with local schools and organisations to bring history to life for the next generation.

“Work will be carried out by local firms wherever possible, supporting traditional crafts, and keeping investment in our economy.

“We are providing unique opportunities for people to learn vanishing traditional crafts and heritage skills.

“As Porlock is a popular destination for visitors, a restored spire ensures that our village remains a vibrant place to visit and explore.”