Voluntary efforts freshen up area around Wick St Fergus Church
The grounds of the historic St Fergus Church in Wick has been transformed over the past 18 months thanks to a group of hard-working volunteers.
They joined together after the start of the pandemic to look at freshening up the area around the church building, including its graveyard.
Pamela and Leslie Macadie and Mary and Iain Banks cleared tons of debris, earth and fallen leafmould. As well as improving the immediate environs of the former Wick Old Parish Church they revealed dozens of flat gravestones, some of which had very limited inscriptions when laid generations ago.
Five skips were provided free of charge by local builder Callum Miller, who also supplied stone chips for new paths and wood to bank up the flower beds. Plants and hanging baskets were donated by Raymond Watt, Annette Miller and Sandra Grant and recently some 450 spring bulbs were planted to bring a colourful display next year.
1 / 6
2 / 6
3 / 6
4 / 6
5 / 6
6 / 6Local Highland councillor Willie Mackay, who took a series of photographs showing how the area has been enhanced, said: "The results have been amazing, and have been well received by visitors from far and wide over the summer months."
Now the church is preparing to welcome those attending this year's Remembrance Sunday service following the laying of wreaths at the town's war memorial.
The garden ground has been decorated with poppies and crosses. Members of the public are welcome to go along and pay a visit, perhaps lay their own cross and have a few moments of reflection.
The gates are open each day from 9am, and this Saturday the church will be open from 11am for tea and coffee with any donations going to Legion Scotland.