Offenders help out at Ruthin church

Jun 12 2008 By David Simister

St Peter's Church, Ruthin

A TEAM of offenders on probation have been helping care for a Ruthin church after it was vandalised by youngsters.

The workers - all of whom have been sentenced to do unpaid work by courts - were drafted in to help clean up the graveyard at St Peter’s Church, Ruthin, after it became overgrown and a magnet for drinkers and drug abusers.

"The problem was drawn to our attention by the church wardens and North Wales Police" said John Wright, a Project Development Officer with the Probation Service.

"There is a problem of anti-social behaviour in the cemetery, people are using it as a thoroughfare and as a place to congregate to drink and take drugs."

Members of St Peter’s Church, Ruthin, had joined the police in appealing to the Probation Service for help when the graveyard became a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.

Ruthin residents had become concerned that not only was the church overgrown and difficult to see into, but was also littered with empty bottles and drugs paraphernalia.

"It’s awful especially considering that the graveyard could be so beautiful. Two ladies who came down here to visit a grave were wearing open toed sandals and they cut their feet on the broken glass" said local resident Rhoda Bramhall.

However since the improvements began, church staff and residents say they are pleased with the work carried out by the Probation Services team.

18 year old David Martin, one of the workers who helped clean up the church, said:

"I think it’s a good thing because we’re doing something to help people, it’s worthwhile. It’s a better use of your time than going to prison. Helping people makes you feel better."