ONE of Portishead’s historic buildings will receive a new roof this year, thanks to generous grant aid, donations and an extensive fundraising programme.

A year after Embrace the Future was launched by Portishead Church of England, enough money has been secured to begin work at St Nicholas Church in Nore Road.

Structural reports in 2009 confirmed that, for the former Nautical School chapel to remain in use for future generations, a new roof was essential.

Embrace the Future aims to raise £725,000 to allow important improvements to be carried out at both St Nicholas and St Peter’s churches. The new roof is the most urgent task and will be tackled while fundraising continues.

In April, church members determined to raise sufficient funds launched a Tenner a Tile campaign and yarn bombed the town to raise awareness. The campaign was given a further boost when Portishead Town Council agreed a grant of £20,000.

A church spokesman said: “In a year we have managed to secure an amazing £550,316 so we are optimistic we will reach our final target in 2013.”

The budget allocated for the roof of St Nicholas is £300,000. Listed building and planning consent is currently being sought before the work is put out to tender. It is hoped the re-roofing will begin mid-April and be completed by the end of November.

Planned improvements to St Peter’s Church, which include developing the flexibility of the building as a place of worship and a community facility, have been given a major boost thanks to several generous legacies.

The spokesman added: “The important thing now is to step up the fundraising so that we can complete all that needs to be done. It is important people do not think that because work has begun we don’t need to continue raising money, as that is definitely not the case.”