ST MICHAEL'S Church has received a welcome gift in the shape of £500 towards the refurbishment of its bells. The bells were re-tuned, re-hung and dedicated by the Bishop of Exeter two years ago, so this donation came as a something of a surprise. St Michael's Masonic Lodge, although based in Dawlish, is named after the church and applied to the Devonshire Provincial Benevolent Fund for the grant when they heard their namesake was raising money. The Rev Preb Philip Luff, vicar, said that the Bell Fund still existed and was being used to pay for the refurbishment of the bells at St James Church as well as on-going bell repairs in both churches. 'The money is very useful and will be used for the right purpose. It was a very gracious gift,' he said. Pictured left to right are Alan Furse, secretary of the bells project; Leslie Elliot, Master of the Lodge; the Rev Preb Luff; and Martin Dodd, captain of the bell tower. The bells rang out last Thursday to celebrate Mr Dodd's 60th birthday. Mr Dodd has rung the bells at St Michael's tower for the past 36 years. A band of ringers, friends and colleagues, including Mr Dodd's wife, Barbara, came together and rang just over 600 changes of Grandsire Triples.
