Bell ringers triumph from Nation Lottery donation

A National Lottery grant of £7,000 has been awarded to a group of Ottery hand bell ringers this month. The hand bell ringers, known as The Talatones, are said to be very dedicated and practice in the town’s Catholic Church every Monday.

The hand bell ringers are currently funded purely on donations and since this generous donation from the National Lottery, they are now able buy a brand new set of 25 bells, which now means that the hand bell ringers will now own their own instruments for the very first time in its 25 year history.

The hand bell ringers currently borrow their instruments from the churches in Talaton and Ottery and they have now used them for the last time this week.

The National Lottery's Awards For All fund has now awarded the hand bell ringers £7,000 this month, after they had previously refused their plea for new hand bells.

The group secretary of the hand bell ringers group, Joan Dalton has commented on this generous donation from the National Lottery and said:

“We couldn't believe it, I jumped in the air for joy when I found out. We were refused the first time we applied, and when I saw the envelope come through the door I thought it was too soon and we hadn't got it. This is absolutely brilliant, I can't tell you how wonderful it was."