The lease of Mells Barn, the listed building built in either the 14th or15th century, is up in 2024.

And while the stunning building, now used as the village hall, should be protected from any development, supporters are getting their campaign in early to ensure it is protected.

Local villagers have created an on-line questionnaire to gather awareness and to assess how many people currently use the space. The barn is used by at least one group from outside Mells, and you do not need to live there to take part.

In a usual year the hall is used for Christmas Concerts, it can be hired out for parties, Hallowe'en and birthdays. It's where the local Beavers and the Scouts reside and where Mells School typically hosts fundraising events.

It is also currently home to a local and popular Pilates exercise class taught by a teacher from Bruton.

You can carry out the survey even if you do not use the hall directly by clicking HERE : the survey site

In the village of Mells, the Manor and garden walls, which adjunct the Barn, and the church, are Grade I listed, but the Barn itself is Grade II.

Although neither Grade completely protects a building from being developed, if a building is Grade I it means the property is of 'exceptional interest' - this applies to only around 2.5% of listed buildings in the UK. Grade II means the property is important and considered of more than special interest.