Churches take practical action around Devizes

Becky Sedgwick reports

Wearing their trademark blue 'Noise' t-shirts, local people aged from one to eighty gathered in sites across the town to show God’s love for the people of the town in practical ways.

One team gave the Alzheimer’s Support Day Centre a spring clean, while others erected fences, embedded playground benches and cleared overgrowth in local primary schools. Two local residents were given much needed help with their gardens and a team worked alongside Sustainable Devizes, painting tables and benches in a community woodland.

The youngest volunteers were encouraged to learn how to respect their environment and carried out a Mini Litterpick, to the delight of other people in the area, who commented “Fantastic to see such young children learning to take care of the local environment. I’ve never seen that before. Well done to you all!"

The Revd Dr Keith Brindle, vicar at Southbroom St James, felt the practical team work was important to the impact of the day.

“I joined a team at one of our DSAT* schools, and it was wonderful to work hard and have fun together, building relationships between the school, parents and the church.”

Jenny Jones, The Noise Devizes Coordinator, agrees.

“The Noise is what happens after we’ve left as people tell others about the difference it’s made to their lives! We are loving reading the feedback and already looking forward to our big October Noise weekend.”

The Noise Devizes launched last October, enabling Christians to help their community and enjoy the chance to work together on a project.

If you would like to find out more and see photos of the day, visit www.thenoisedevizes.org.uk.

*Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust