ST PETER Ad Vincula church in Ashwater opened its doors recently, for a ‘Construction Exhibition’ as part of its National Lottery grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

HLF is funding much needed repairs to the church tower and valley gutter and as part of the renovation works an exhibition was held to demonstrate some of the skills involved in carrying out this work.

Contractors Specialist Stonemasonry Ltd, who carried out the works to the tower and valley gutter, gave demonstrations on stonemasonry and carpentry and laid out many of the tools, both historic and modern, that would have been used in the church’s construction.

Local historian, Dr Trevor May, led the talks and gave the historical context of the church together with the importance of the tower and its bells that, although currently silent, hope to be rung in October once works are finished.

The exhibition was well attended and enjoyed by the local Ashwater Primary School.