Adrian Tinniswood is an author, historian and educationalist and Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund Committee for the South West.

This what he had to say at the official re-opening of Church House, South Tawton, after its major £350,000 restoration

We have now a beautiful heritage site and community hall, but how do we keep it that way?

On a day to day basis, the building must pay its running costs - lighting, heating, cleaning, insurance, etc.

In addition, materials and equipment will need replacing and repair. And we must also make provision for future redecoration and thatching costs.

Finally, as a Grade 2* listed building built in 1490, together with the Church of Saint Andrew, a Grade 1 listed building dating from c1200, there is a major Heritage Site right in the heart of the village and Parish. The provision of educational and visitor material requires further funding.

The Church House Management Committee is working very hard to cover these costs in terms of hall hire and fund raising events. However these efforts in themselves will not be enough. What is needed is a firm base of support to at least cover the costs that simply must be met (for example, insurance alone is about £1000pa and can you imagine the cost of thatching a roof of that size?).

There is in existence a group called "The Friends of Church House". It was with their help that the restoration got off the ground. But, at present, this is a small group of only about 50 people. What is needed is that EVERY ADULT in the PARISH of SOUTH TAWTON becomes a member. The cost is £10 for an individual or £15 for a couple. That sounds expensive? 3 pence a day or less? How much is a tin of pet food or a bag of crisps? And when they have gone, you have nothing. What better present could you give your kids (or grandchildren) than their heritage?

There is also a special membership of this group called "Far Friends" which is intended for folk who live too far away from South Tawton, either in this country or overseas, to be able to enjoy the place or the full benefits of membership.

We already have members in Australia and the USA. The subscription for this is quoted at $10 but you can pay in any currency you wish.

If you are an ex patriot, maybe even from Dartmoor itself, you may have a special reason for wishing to conserve your Heritage. However, folk from all over the world can claim this Heritage as their own, as their ancestors might well have left Britain via Plymouth, a few miles from here.