SUPPORTERS of an exciting project to breathe new life into a medieval barn in Nailsea are calling on residents to help them hit their fund-raising target. The trustees of the Nailsea Tithe Barn Trust are calling on people living in the town to give them t

SUPPORTERS of an exciting project to breathe new life into a medieval barn in Nailsea are calling on residents to help them hit their fund-raising target.The trustees of the Nailsea Tithe Barn Trust are calling on people living in the town to give them the best Christmas present ever - to reach a £250,000 goal by the end of the year.The group has launched a 'sponsor a beam' in a bid to raise the cash to match the £500,000 pledged by the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the historic building - and want local people to get involved.Trustee Steve Harris said: "The Tithe Barn has been an integral part of community life in Nailsea since the 15th century."Understandably it is now in need of some TLC to bring it up to the standards we expect in the 21st century."The oak beamed roof is a spectacular piece of craftsmanship and it's not unreasonable to imagine that the beams were hewn from trees around Nailsea by local carpenters."Five hundred years on, we're now offering local people the opportunity to play a part in their restoration."We're selling the various types of beam at different prices to suit every pocket and we're really hoping the community will feel moved to help us quite literally raise the roof this Christmas."Just think what an unusual Christmas present this would make for someone who remembers going to school in the barn or enjoying other activities over the years."The Tithe Barn was originally built in 1480 to store the tithes or taxes paid by the community in the form of crops or livestock.The barn was also used by Hannah More as a school until 1973 and, more recently, has become a day centre for social services and home to a variety of community organisations.The vision of the trustees is now to turn the building into a centre for social, community and heritage use for the town.Beams are available at a number of different rates ranging from £500 for a principal truss, £250 for a ridge and £150 for a windbrace. A purlin beam costs just £100 to sponsor and a rafter costs £25.Each sponsor will receive a certificate of appreciation and will have their names recorded either on the chosen beam itself or in a book of recognition.Application forms can be downloaded from www.nailseatithebarn.co.uk or by contacting Mr Harris on 01275 790510.