A North Warwickshire church has been given cash to help keep its grounds and war memorial in tiptop condition.
Julie-Ann Kester, manager of the Tamworth Co-op convenience store in Dordon, hands over the cheque for £287 to Rev Ann Simmons and church warden Susan Davis.
St Leonard’s in Dordon has a much admired churchyard, lovingly maintained by parishioners and volunteers.
Money is always needed to buy and maintain tools. This year, however, extra funds are required as parochial church council secretary Bev Garratt is spearheading a project to give the war memorial a facelift.
On a beautiful spring morning Julie-Ann Kester, manager of the Tamworth Co-operative Society’s convenience store in Dordon, visited the church with a cheque for £287.
The money was allocated from the Society’s Community Dividend Fund which supports worthwhile causes in its trading area. Generous shoppers at the Co-op’s nearby food store raised the cash by donating the dividends they earned on their purchases.
Reverend Ann Simmons and church warden Susan Davis said the gift was an example of Dordon’s ‘wonderful community spirit.’
“We’d like to say a big thank you to the Tamworth Co-op for this gesture and also to all the customers who supported us,” said Rev Simmons.
“This is an excellent community. Even people who do not attend our services still support us by helping out in the grounds.”
She added: “There is a wonderful sense of peace in the churchyard and this money will help us to keep it looking at its best. The war memorial will also benefit. It’s so good that people in this community have helped raised money for us through the Co-op’s scheme.”
Julie-Ann Kester said shoppers were very positive about the cause.
“I think it’s important for the whole community that the grounds of the church look nice,” she said.