DOWLISH WAKE’S Project Phoenix is nearing the grand total needed to rebuild the village’s pavilion.

The Lawrence Kellett pavilion was destroyed in a suspected arson attack on October 13, leaving villagers devastated.

Since then, the committee has come together and last Friday held a black tie dinner at Shrubbery Hotel in Ilminster to raise funds for the rebuild.

Mike Lane, chairman of Lawrence Kellett Playing Field Trust, said: “We hoped to sell 130 tickets, but ended up selling 150. We certainly could have sold more.

“I’d like to thank everyone for coming and supporting us, and particularly all the individuals and business who donated raffle and auction prizes.

“I’ve always seen the ball not only as a fundraising event, but a chance for the community to come together at a very special evening.

“We are very lucky in our community to have many people who give up their time to help causes and charitable projects. My committee is no exception, and I’d like to thank them all for their hard work since the pavilion burned down.

“We made £3,577 from the auction, raffle and donations on the night. We have yet to produce the final figures, but we hope to have a profit after expenses, of nearer to £5,000 for the evening.

“We have now raised more than £27,000 thanks to the generosity of so many people, and the new plans for the pavilion are with the planning department at South Somerset District Council.

“We hope to start building in the near future, so we can give back our pavilion to the the community to enjoy.”

The final fundraising aim for Project Phoenix is £40,000.