The contractor has started!!

From the Chairman

Following many months of preparatory work by our team of volunteers, for which we are most grateful, a Building Contractor has been appointed and started on site week commencing 29^th July. The building work is a 20-week programme for the builder, to be followed immediately by volunteers doing internal painting and other finishing off jobs. This programme will complete phase 1 of our project - restoration of the Tudor building sufficiently to open the Art Gallery and let out the four Studios upstairs. Brief profiles of our Architect and Building Contractor are below.

We are continuing to work very hard to raise further funds from grants organisations and other potential sources, for the next phase of the development - the cinema / theatre, atrium café / restaurant, kitchen, toilet block and garden area. Work on these elements will be done progressively, in line with the funding stream in 2020.  

Building Contractor - Character Builders

Character Builders are a local family-run company based in Throwleigh near Chagford with their own joinery workshop in Moretonhampstead. The four brothers each have areas of specialism, providing expertise across the spectrum of building work, and their portfolio of work covers conservation of listed buildings and general repairs and alterations to period properties. Projects vary in size from household repairs to the complete overhaul of derelict historic buildings. Their work with listed buildings includes repair works at St Andrew’s Church, Sampford Courtenay and re-ordering work at Holy Trinity Church, Gidleigh, as well as several Devon long houses. They have won awards for their building work, including the Federation of Master Builders “Builder of the Year” award in 2013 for the work at Gidleigh Church.

Architect – Dawn Presland, Chartered Architect

Dawn Presland has lived and worked as an architect in Bovey Tracey for over 20 years, having recently set up on her own practice following the closure of the Allan B Matthews practice where she worked. Dawn has considerable local experience having designed and overseen building projects including numerous house extensions, individual houses, school extensions, conversions and church alterations. Her portfolio also includes work on listed buildings, involving close collaboration with conservation officers, archaeologists and other specialists within Teignbridge and Dartmoor National Park. Dawn has a contemporary approach to design using sustainable materials and renewable technologies where possible.

We will keep you informed as the project progresses and when practical and safe we may be able to organise opportunities during the contract to view the work in progress.