Volunteers restore flower beds outside St Mary's in Cleator

Volunteers have been re-developing the flower beds at the front of the church with the support of the Co-op Community Fund. 

Preparation work was done by people who were part of the parish to clear parts of the beds. 

A planting plan was developed for this bed with a large number of plants being placed in that are good for pollinating insects. 

Volunteers at the church (Image: St Mary's Church)

Around 120 plants were ordered, along with a tree from  J & R Bennetts, a local nursery. 

Young families from the community were invited to join the team from St Mary's on Saturday, March 23. 

There was said to have been a great turnout of around 20 people, despite the cold weather. With most of the work taking place between 10am and 12pm. 

Work is done on the flower beds (Image: St Mary's Church)

This was the first stage of planting up the gardens around the front of the church. 

Peter Robinson, a volunteer at the church, said: "A great turnout on a cold and windy morning to begin planting up the first stage of our new revamped beds at the front of the church.

"Around eighty plants and a tree were planted in just under 20 minutes, many of them were pollinator-friendly, it's amazing what a group of people can do when they work together.

A young girl volunteers at the church (Image: St Mary's Church)

"We then retreated to the parish rooms to warm up with refreshments provided by Josie, a volunteer at St Mary's, and her team.

"The plants will grow to fill the bed over the coming years, we still have a few more to plant along with spring and summer flowering bulbs. 

The newly developed flower beds (Image: St Mary's Church)

"Thanks to everyone who turned up to help us. We will be having further planting sessions throughout the coming year.

"Thank you to the Co-op community fund which made this possible with their generous donation."