URGENTLY needed roof repairs to St Petrock’s Church, Timberscombe, can go ahead thanks to National Lottery players.

The Parochial Church Council faced a shortfall of just over £50,000 to repair and renovate the failing slate roof and other sections of the roof of the Grade 1 Listed church.

Severe weather, particularly over the last few years, had exacerbated the problem, so the PCC made a second application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) – which agreed to provide the balance of the cost.

The medieval building can now be made watertight and secure, and the project will also enable a variety of heritage activities to take place within the church.

Work is expected to start early in the new year, or as soon as weather permits, and the church which will remain open every day throughout.

Volunteers will made a photographic record of the restoration and the opportunity will be taken to train further volunteers in skills to record and develop a church digital archive and carry out a local oral history project.

Volunteers will also be able to get involved in the development of a village walking trail and a Dunster Benefice linked churches walking trail, with an emphasis on making this accessible for families and children and for developing “inter-generational links”.

At the same time, the PCC is raising funds to continue to provide an accessible toilet and servery inside the church to develop St Petrock’s as a community hub and meeting place as well as a place of worship.

Among other advantages, St Petrock’s will then offer a means for people of all ages to avoid rural isolation and loneliness.

Anyone interested in joining the team of volunteers should contact Marion Jeffrey, John Gratton or any member of the PCC.