Staff from the Department of Parks and Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB) teamed up with other community volunteers to do maintenance work at Fort St. Catherine.

Organised by KBB director, Richard Lathan, volunteers included Couples for Christ, Family Ministries, ANCOP International Bermuda, KBB and Parks staff.

More than 40 people came out on November 9 and picked up trash, painted the historic artillery, doors, railings and other parts of the fort.

The group also picked up 14 bags of trash around the tourist trail from the town past Tobacco Bay and around Fort St. Catherine's beach.

Minister of Environment, Glenn Blakeney was pleased with the initiative and said: "I have heard from the Department of Parks that the volunteer group was simply amazing. The Parks staff reported that the group did a tremendous job and saved us literally weeks of work.

"On behalf of this Ministry, the Government and all the citizens of Bermuda, I offer my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Mr. Lathan and his group of volunteers. Such public/private partnerships are invaluable in keeping Bermuda's public parks and open spaces looking beautiful."

Mr. Lathan said: "We were amazed and delighted with the enthusiasm the Couples for Christ and ANCOP volunteers brought to this project. We are looking to use this as a model for other beautification initiatives with the Parks Department."