After four months of incredibly hard work, ten years worth of |vegetation has been cleared from the old graveyard surrounding Mawgan Church.

Carried out by the Community Payback Team, the work has been completed with “great care and respect.” The work, which was organised by Mawgan Parish Council, was performed by over 30 |offenders who have been sentenced by the courts to carry out unpaid work that has to be both challenging and |beneficial to local communities.

They were supervised by Bob Adams who has worked closely with other |probation colleagues, members of the PCC and parish council chairman, Kevin Roberts who has done his own |“community hours” by removing trailer loads of trimmings.

The Mawgan churchyard project has been longer and more challenging than initially envisaged, but as Geoff Richards, logistics officer/offender manager, said: “The final results speak for themselves and it is hoped that the churchyard can maintain its current appearance for years to come.”

Not only do offenders on the Community Payback Team clear |graveyards, they can also be involved in things such as street clean-ups, graffiti removal and painting derelict or |run-down buildings.

The project at Mawgan has been |beneficial to all involved - the graveyard has been completely cleared of a build up of vegetation, even uncovering the graves of two young children, and the offenders have not only completed their required unpaid hours but have also developed as people.