PORLOCK'S medieval Doverhay Manor has won a grant of more than £198,000 to help preserve its unique architectural importance and breathe new life into its collection of artefacts. The money from the Heritage Lottery Fund, announced today (Friday), will go towards a £250,000 repair and refurbishment project that will ensure the future of the fine stone Grade Two* listed building. The manor house dates back to 1450 and is the most important historic secular building in the village. For most of the last century, part of it has been used as a billiards and snooker club, with the remainder providing the base for the village museum since 1982. Chairman of the Doverhay Manor trustees the Rev Ivan Selman said everyone was thrilled to receive the grant aid. "It will fulfil our vision of preserving a fine historic building and its collections for future generations." * See next week's Free Press for the full story.