AN HISTORIC building is to be brought back to life after Sedbergh School received a £76,300 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to rebuild it.

The four-month long project will see the ruined Pepperpot, just off the Dales Way route, turned into a space that can be used by schools and community groups in Sedbergh and across South Lakeland.

The outside of the building will host panels detailing the history of the site, the ecology of the area and also astronomy.

Inside the building there will be an exhibition space for local artists and a six-sided viewing room upstairs with windows facing all directions.

The project will also include story telling sessions about the history of the building and a time lapse camera to record the changing flora and fauna through the seasons.

Sedbergh School archivist Katy de la Rivière said: "We have already made contact with half a dozen community groups in Sedbergh and there is real excitement about the project. The location of the site just 10 feet from the Dales Way paths means that it is the perfect spot for a heritage building.”

She also appealed for local people to get in touch to tell her what they know about the building.

“Sedbergh and District History Society and many budding historians have already been generous sharing what they know about the building," she said. "We are really keen to hear from anyone who knows about the history of the building or has photographs of it when it was still in full working order."

Susan Garnett, chairman of the local support group of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: "It was built to take the best advantage of the splendid views all around and it is in an ideal location to observe a number of habitat including riverine, woodland, freshwater pools and reed beds, all supporting a wealth of wildlife.“

The building lies within the Akay estate which was owned by local chemist Charles Edward Taylor.

Pepperpot is thought to have been built for Mr Taylor’s daughter Anne who developed Tuberculosis at the age of 18.

In the early part of the 20th century it was believed that sunlight killed tuberculosis bacteria and that treatment should include living somewhere light and airy. Anne spent several years in the building which had fully opening windows on all six sides. Unfortunately, she died aged 21.

The last resident of Pepperpot is thought to have been E.G. MacPherson, a master at the Preparatory School in Sedbergh who lodged in the house during the summer months of 1931.

The Pepperpot ruin has been falling in to disrepair for nearly 80 years and was featured in this paper in July 1948 when a cow grazing in the field forced its way in to the building and up the spiral staircase.

It is hoped the build will begin in June and will open to local community groups in the autumn.

For further information about the project call Katy on 015396 22275 or kdlr@sedberghschool.org.