The Holly and The Ivy

This week is community week for YMCA Derbyshire, and we were delighted to be invited to join them in one of their garden tidying tasks.

Gwyn and Tracey were given a very warm welcome by Matt; YMCA Derbyshire's community connector. We then strolled along London Road to the neighbouring St Osmund's Church where we joined a group of enthusiastic young people from the YMCA, who had begun the tidying on the previous day, and Cath, the pioneer minister and provider of tea, smiles and scrummy cakes.

Tasks were divided up to ensure we were socially distant, and that all the regions needing attention were covered. Other teams did a great job of weeding flower beds, and we joined a couple of the young people clearing a very overgrown area at the back of the church hall, where holly and ivy were in abundance.

Once the trimming was done, we filled several bags with the cuttings. The place was transformed, and everyone was so grateful and appreciative of the hard work put in by everyone who volunteered - a great team.

Community week continues until the 1st August, so if you have some free time to join the friendly YMCA team, please get in touch for a very rewarding cake-fuelled experience - details are in this link.