The next phase of restoration works is being prepared at Wiveliscombe Town Hall, writes Phil Hill.
It comes after repairs to the ceiling of the building in The Square have now been completed.
The ceiling had been damaged by rain penetration in the 1990s.
It left lath and plaster missing and damaged cornice at the front of the main hall, while there were cracks on the plasterwork that needed closer inspection and remedial work.
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The project, carried out by local firm Woodhouse Conservation, required the whole room to be scaffolded.
A Wiveliscombe Town Hall Trust spokesperson said: “The areas of damage were then stripped back, new laths fixed into place and then two coats of lime plaster applied.
“Elsewhere fixings were put in place to secure the whole ceiling to the joists above, the smaller cracks filled in and the cornice repaired.
“The whole ceiling and cornice was then painted with a porous paint.
“The old gas heaters have been taken down while we assess the potential to refurbish them as lights.
“The whole room now looks stunning in its brightness and the repairs enable us to start preparing a new programme of events.”
Future work will include the installation of a water supply, toilet and kitchen, which requires prior approval from the Coop as the landlord, as well as listed building consent.
There are also plans to redecorate the stairwell and the fitting of a stairlift.
The improvements are being funded by Wiveliscombe Town Council through the Community Infrastructure Levy, a charge local authorities can impose on developments to fund essential infrastructure.
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