SINCE it began in 1998 the Ashburton Town Council Lottery has given out £36,000 in grants. At last week's annual parish meeting, the mayor, Cllr Alan Hitchcock, presented cheques to a dozen organisations, totalling £1,905. In the past year the town's lottery has also paid out £8,800 in prize money. Cllr Hitchcock appealed for more backing for the weekly lottery. 'Numbers have been dropping and we need more support,' he said. The grants – Ashburton Football Club (£185); Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (£120); Ashburton in Bloom (£185); Hedgehogs Parent, Carer and Child Playgroup (£150); Devon Guild of Singers and Players (£100); Ashburton Ale Tasting and Bread Weighing Committee (£75); Ashburton Royal British Legion (£250); Ashburton Museum (£150); Ashburton Festival (£210); Bank Youth Project (£180); Ashburton Pre-School (£100); and Aysheberton Stannary Carnival Club (£200).
