A PROJECT to restore an historic cemetery building and make it into a heritage and education centre has taken a big step forward.

After three years of fundraising, the Friends of Millbrook Chapel of Rest had the £6,000 they needed to purchase the chapel and have been handed the keys by the Church of England. The distinctive and diminutive building on the way out of the village towards Maker was built in 1904, and the Friends were very keen that it be kept for community use.

With the building now officially safe as a heritage asset for Millbrook and Rame, the focus for the group is now turning to the repairs and restoration that need to be done.

“A survey in 2017 listed over £100,000 of work needed to put the Chapel in good order, a daunting task indeed,” said chairman of the Friends, Bruce Taggart.

“However, now that we own the Chapel, we are considering the first phase of repairs, which will put it in good order for the winter.

“We need to attend to slipped and missing roof slates, leaking gutters and downpipes and replace rotten facia boards and soffits. Then the whole of the outside needs redecorating.

“We will also look at ground water drainage as there are no drains at the moment.”

The first lot of work will be possible thanks to generous donations from local people and organisations including the Earl of Edgcumbe, County Councillor George Trubody through his Community Chest, Cornwall Community Foundation and both the Millbrook and Maker with Rame Parish Councils.

The Friends say they want to employ local tradesmen and they’ll be applying for Lottery funding for the larger programme of work which includes overhauling the bellcote and restoring the stained glass windows.

The long-term goal is to create a place where children and adults can learn about local history and about the wildlife habitat in the graveyard, a space where community events can be held, and a safe home for community archives.

More details about the history of the Chapel of Rest and the plans for its transformation can be found at www.millbrookheritage.com and on the Friends of Millbrook Chapel of Rest Facebook page.