Just days after new community information signs were installed at The Gallops in Cliftonville, they have already helped spark a success story.
On August 25, visitor Grace Brockhus had been swimming at Botany Bay when she discovered that her wedding ring had disappeared from the sunglasses case she had left it in while she was in the sea.
Devastated, Grace began searching and asking for help. She was pointed towards one of the new Friends of The Gallops information signs, which includes contact details for the residents’ group that owns and looks after the land.
Grace emailed Friends of The Gallops asking whether anyone locally might have a metal detector.
The appeal was quickly circulated through residents’ WhatsApp groups and other contacts with resident Cllr Barry Manners spreading the word to Thanet Metal Detecting members.
The metal detector enthusiasts volunteered their help with member Hayley spending around five hours searching the beach with her detector.
Member Steve and his wife travelled from Faversham to join the hunt and Grace’s husband was part of the search party too.
Then, at around 3.30pm, came the message everyone had been hoping for: “My ring has been found!”
Hayley, who is mum to a six month old baby, had located the precious ring in the sand.
Grace said: “I am genuinely blown away by the kindness and generosity of the local people. Someone on the beach told me to look at the new sign for contact information and that’s how I found help, so a huge thank you for your support in my search.”
Grace was so touched by the response that she made a £30 donation to the Friends of The Gallops fundraising appeal to help towards the ongoing maintenance of the land.
The signs were recently funded and installed as part of the continuing work of Friends of The Gallops Ltd, the residents’ organisation established after local people came together to purchase and protect The Gallops from development.
Christina Cleworth, a Director of Friends of The Gallops, said: “When we designed and installed the new signs, we wanted them to provide useful information about the land and give people a way of contacting us.
“I don’t think any of us imagined that within days one of them would play a part in reuniting someone with something as precious as her wedding ring.
“It was lovely to see residents and complete strangers rally round to help. Community is exactly what Friends of The Gallops is about, so this was a very special outcome.”
In these dark depressing times it’s a genuine pleasure to read a story with such a happy ending.
The Friends of The Gallops Gofundme is here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/protect-the-gallops
A really positive community news story. It’s nice to see people coming together as a group for the benefit of all the community and visitors, and not looking for personal financial reward.