St Cuthbert’s Church in Colburn has received a helping hand from the Prince’s Trust Team programme, who sent a group of young people from Catterick to revamp the churchyard.
Keen to create a community garden, Revd Andrew Cromarty explained: “We had been talking about trying to find a team of young volunteers to lend a hand.
"So, when youngsters taking part in The Prince’s Trust programme got in touch looking for a community project in the area, it seemed the ideal opportunity."
The Team course is a 12-week personal development programme for young people aged 16 to 25 who are not currently in education, work or training.
Courses are delivered by the Education Training Collective and give young people the chance to develop essential life skills by embarking on a series of tasks and challenges. 
Catterick Team leader Seveci Navelinikoro (pictured above with the team of young people) said: “The community project is an essential part of the course, as the young people get to see how they can help others and make a direct impact in their own community. It is often a chance to try something they have never done before and often uncovers skills they didn’t know they had.”
Faced with helping to clear shrubbery, preserving timber for compost bins, tidying, digging and preparing the land for a new tool shed behind St Cuthbert’s Church, the Team proved they weren’t afraid to muck in.
Reverend Cromarty said: “The young people worked hard for a good seven and a half days, and while none of them had gardening experience, they showed real tenacity.
“The team remained positive and engaged throughout, and, hats off to them, they did a good job, even in miserable weather.”
With lots of work still to be done on the community garden, the vicar added: “It is a significant sized plot and we feel blessed to have it. There’s still lots of development to be done, but we are grateful for all the help and support we have received so far; and the site is already looking a lot better. We would love to welcome another Prince’s Trust Team to work with us in taking the gardens to the next stage.”
The next Prince’s Trust Catterick Team is due to start on Monday January 17. With places still available, to find out more call Team leader Nav on 07436 795882.