THANKS in part to the power of the Bridport News the Allington Hillbillies now have a new tractor.

The News published a story in March about the uphill struggle the group was having looking after Allington Hill.

The group was set up to look after the hill and Coopers Wood after it was bought by the Woodland Trust.

But at its agm chairman Cathy Harvey told residents the group would struggle without outside financial assistance.

She said: “After the five years that the volunteer group have helped bring back the area to life, we have hit a funding crisis.

“Paul Bowditch our volunteer who cuts all the grass paths in the field has been using his own ride on mower for years.

“It was so old that he had to push it up the steep field to cut the paths and was always breaking down, meaning he had to push it home.”

Now Mrs Harvey is thanking the News - and the Postcode Local Trust and Allington Parish Council - for helping to solve the problem.

She said: “Thanks to the article you published several months ago, a couple who live up in the Midlands read the online version, and wishing to remain anonymous, donated £1000. That’s the power of the Bridport News for you.”

With £1850 from the Postcode Local Trust, £1000 from Allington Parish Council and the £1000 from the anonymous reader of the Bridport News the volunteer group is now the proud owner of a small tractor and rotary topper..

Mrs Harvey said: “We have been able to purchase a good quality tractor to enable the volunteers to mow the paths safely, manage the wildflower meadow and help with working parties throughout the year.”

The funding of £1850 from the Peoples Postcode Lottery includes £250 towards the flower meadow project and another £100 towards hedgerow restoration.

She added: “This is going to make a huge difference in maintaining the flower meadow and hedgerows.

“We are not sure how Paul Bowditch managed with the old ride own mower having to push it up the hill.

“He is very pleased with ‘Duncan’ the tractor, which was named in a competition by local young girl.

“We are very grateful to the Postcode Local Trust choose our project.

“They fund community groups and charitable organisations through a variety of grant giving programmes.

“To do so, the trust relies solely on funding from the proceeds of tickets sales from People’s Postcode Lottery.

“When you sign up to play People’s Postcode Lottery, your postcode is your ticket.

“ It costs £10 for 10 draws paid monthly in advance with prizes every day. A minimum of 27.5 per cent goes directly to charities across Great Britain and internationally.”

Last year Chris Toombs and Cathy Harvey published a book on the history of the hill.