Members of the St. Andrew Parish Independence Committee worked to enhance the grounds of the St. Andrew Parish Church. (S. Forde-Craigg/BGIS)

The St. Andrew Parish Independence Committee (PIC) recently completed a community service project, seeking to enhance and beautify the grounds of the St. Andrew Parish Church.

The committee was encouraged by the Community Independence Celebrations Secretariat (CICS) to identify an area within the parish that “touches all communities of the parish”.

Speaking about the significance of the location, Project Coordinator, Sharon Sealy, explained that the church grounds came to mind first because members of the community have been to the church and “will attend a service or a funeral at some point in their lives”.

“When the time comes after they have passed on from this earthly place, the St. Andrew’s cemetery will be their final resting place, so why not take care of this sacred place while on earth,” she added.

The project focused on four pillars: cleaning and clearing of the grounds; planting trees around the grounds; positioning of benches within the grounds, and placing a sign identifying the name of the church.

With assistance from members of the Lions Club, the St. Andrew’s Parish Church, sporting organisations and other parishioners, the project got under way last month.

“About 17 community members armed with weed whackers, rakes and tools were instrumental in cleaning and clearing the grounds during the month of July.  On July 17, we partnered with WIRRED (Walkers Reserve) and Soroptimist Barbados International and planted over 113 trees within the grounds – with a donation of plants and trees from Walkers Reserve and the NCC.

 “We were able to have five park-style benches built to be positioned around the church grounds, while the signage will be installed at a later date, after further discussion with the church body,” Sealy explained.

The Project Coordinator added that a surprise donation and installation of five security cameras from Security Cameras Barbados will aid in securing the church and its environs.            

Donations were also received from Walkers Reserve, Toilsept, Sobers Mini-Mart, The Lions Club Scotland District and the Bay Lounge, to aid in the completion of this project. 

CICS

Pin It on Pinterest