Engineering students at Forth Valley College and Falkirk Council are proving to be a godsend to the Polmont Old congregation after they agreed to refurbish their church gates.
Working in partnership with the local authority, a group of City and Guilds Engineering and Construction – Welding (Level 3) students have taken on the task of restoring the heavy iron railing gates to their former glory.
Nathanael Fyfe (28), from Hallglen in Falkirk, Matthew Findlay (23) from Brightons, Falkirk, Jordan Duncan (17) from Denny, Jamie Galletly (16) from Grangemouth, Alex Armitage (20) from Bridge of Allan and Gary Tetstall (25) from Bannockburn will be replacing the broken and missing bars, welding them in and removing and replacing the rusted paintwork.
FVC Engineering Lecturer, Alan Lockhart, said:
“Live voluntary projects like this are an excellent opportunity for the learners to develop their essential skills and improve their citizenship values, as the charitable work they are carrying out will benefit the local community. It is fantastic to see them being engaged in the project transferring their skills learned on the course.”
Ralph Ridley, Bridge & Structural Design Co-ordinator in Development Services at Falkirk Council, said:
“This project is an ideal opportunity for the students to put their skills into action and gain hands on experience whilst also coming to the aid of their local community.”
Minister of Polmont Old Parish Church, Reverend Debbie Van Welie, said:
“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the students and those who are supporting them in this project to restore the church gates. This is an enormous undertaking, and I am delighted with the willingness and enthusiasm of all those involved. I also hope that many people will come through these open gates on Sundays at 11 am to meet our congregation and myself.”
Nathaniel Fyfe (28) from Hallglen, Falkirk said:
“It’s good to work on this project as it’s a wee bit of history.”
Gary Tetstall (25) from Bannockburn, said: “I really enjoy restoring the gates as it give me a wee challenge using different welding materials. We will all be trying our hardest to restore them to their former glory.”