Teen volunteers in church clean-up

Photo: Michael Hadfield

Rohit Jiwa, from the Churches Conservation Trust, takes a rest among the group of young volunteers.

A GROUP of teenage volunteers went to St Thomas’s Church, Delph, to help breathe new life into the decaying landmark.

Almost 40 young people offered a helping hand at the church in Heights Lane, Friarmere, for a one-day clean up — and the results were spectacular.

The caring youngsters dug up weeds, tidied overgrown graves and even learned how to lime-wash the church walls indoors.

Organiser Rohit Jiwa, from the Churches Conservation Trust, said: “It was a real show of people power at its best.

“Sometimes, a teenage minority spoils it for the rest, but locals were thrilled at the number of volunteers and the effort they put in.

“It’s about the past, present and future of the building, and the next generation getting involved in bringing the iconic church back into the community.”

Newhey Post Office gave a box of chocolates to each volunteer, Sainsbury’s provided refreshments B&Q Oldham donated gardening tools, and Wickenhall Paintball gave the group a chance to let off steam after the hard day of grafting.

The scene was a far cry from 20 years ago, when church custodian Joan Senior worked single-handedly to tidy up the neglected building.

Rohit said: “I was ecstatic with the turn-out — it shows the can-do attitude of the trust and volunteers.

The team is now calling for even more volunteers to help out at the next session in September.

Contact 07879-414512 for details.