by Stephen Waite

A forgotten corner of Sittingbourne is being returned to its former glory, thanks to a team of volunteers.

Members of the congregation at Holy Trinity Church have been litter-picking in Rose Hill Woods, near Gore Court Cricket Club, since July.

The community work came about after its parochial church council met last October to discuss what the church could do for its annual vision.

Ruth Sheffield, who leads the litter picking and is also the vicar’s PA, said: “Community very, very much came out of our vision day. We felt that was an area where we needed to improve.”

She said the church was already involved in the street pastor programme, which has seen volunteers patrolling the town centre during the evenings at weekends to help anyone in need.

“It’s a programme that’s doing a huge amount of good,” said Ruth.

“But we wanted to be doing something else as well and litter picking is something that anyone of any age can be involved in. It’s a good way of serving the community.”

Swale in Bloom co-ordinator David Shaw suggested Rose Hill Woods was in need of attention and the volunteers, who range in age from teenagers to people in their 70s, have been making monthly clean-up trips.

“We’ve found a lot of McDonald’s wrappers but it’s mainly general litter, although the first time we found a couple of scaffold poles, some wire netting and a rusty old kid’s bike,” said Ruth.

“We ended up with about 20 bags of rubbish. We’ll continue in that area until we feel it’s been restored to its former glory.”

Ruth said the reaction from people they met in the woods had been extremely positive. “We also had a lovely letter from the cricket club thanking us for clearing up their car park,” she added.

“I hadn’t been in Rose Hill Woods before we started this and all of us have been amazed at what a lovely area it is.”