Hells Angels in Merthyr Tydfil are Heaven sent
published on 30 Sep 2024
A motorcycle club in Merthyr Tydfil have shown they are true ‘angels’ by volunteering to transform the overgrown gardens at The Salvation Army Church in the town.
Bikers from the Unsanctioned Motorcycle Group roared up at the church in Glebeland Place in Merthyr earlier this year clad from head-to-toe in black leather with an unusual request: “How can we help?”
Group member Connor Tudor explains: “The Salvation Army is a big part of the community here. We asked if we could do something to help as a thank you for their great work. They wanted us to work on their overgrown gardens, which were in a bad state. I’m only 5’7 and the grass came up to my chest. Some of the boys are ex-landscapers and ex-farmers, so they have some experience in this area.”
The Salvation Army is a big part of the community here. We asked if we could do something to help as a thank you for their great work.
The group spent weekends cutting back the overgrown gardens to the front and sides of the church, as well as planting flowers, to transform the wild patch into a beautiful area.
Another member of the motorcycle group, Addy Silvers, says the way motorbike gangs are portrayed in films and on TV can give people the wrong impression of their club: “There's a lot of motorbike clubs out there who want that hard, outlaw image. But that’s not us. We want to give back to community and help people in the same way The Salvation Army does. They have been wonderful in our community. It’s brilliant that they are celebrating 150 years in Wales and it’s good we can help them.”
There's a lot of motorbike clubs out there who want that hard, outlaw image. But that’s not us.
Bandsman Robert Davies, from The Salvation Army Church in Merthyr, said:
“They are fabulous fellas. This group of bikers have proved with their good work to be heaven sent. When they offered to help with the grounds. I asked if they could work on our gardens as I was shocked by how overgrown they’d become. It's too much work for me. We bought them tools such as a bush cutter and a hedge trimmer. They have worked wonders. Our grounds now look amazing.”
The members of Unsanctioned Motorbike Group will return every few weeks to keep the gardens neat and tidy.
