Bike musicians ring lottery bell

An unusual orchestra has been given a grant to help stage open air performances in East Sussex.

Lottery fund Awards for All gave £1,377 to the Bicycle Belles Orchestra, a 30-strong group that plays original compositions on bells and horns.

The group will use the money to stage four public performances around Brighton from September.

Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society also received £5,390 to teach young people about amateur radio.

Anna Carey, Bicycle Belles co-founder, said: "Our outdoor rehearsals often turn into impromptu concerts as people stop to listen on the promenade.

"We carefully select the bells to make both a rhythm section and a melody over the top and we're looking into developing performances on the move, too."

'Hugely novel'

The group will also stage workshops for schools and recruit new members.

Awards for All is the small grants scheme administered by the Big Lottery Fund.

Alison Rowe, Big Lottery Fund head of the South East region, said: "The Bicycle Belles are a hugely novel orchestra with real passion for the great outdoors.

"With this funding they will be able to reach a larger audience and continue to develop their work and their message."

Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society hopes to work with local scout groups and youth clubs to help children become qualified to operate amateur radios.

The society's spokesperson Steven Stewart said: "We want to get youngsters on board and show them there are other ways to communicate than mobile phones, computers and television."

The two projects are among 62 in the South East sharing funding worth £450,791 in the latest round of awards.

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