Anyone arriving in Richmond via Darlington Road and Frenchgate Head passes the town's handsome cast iron railings and the War Memorial they surround - a heritage feature that hadn't seen a coat of paint in 15 to 20 years. Richmond Yorkshire CIC decided it was time to put that right, and turned it into a project the whole community could take part in.

What began as a simple quotation request to local firm Richard D Smith turned into something much more generous. Owner Richie Smith offered to donate his team's time and expertise rather than charge for the job, inspired by the CIC's approach. With permission secured from North Yorkshire Highways - thanks to help from local Councillor Stuart Parsons, who also helped arrange funding from North Yorkshire Council for materials - and paint donated by Dulux, the CIC invited the public to sign up for an hour's volunteering, with all safety equipment supplied.

Over three days in early August, more than 35 registered volunteers turned out to scrape down and repaint the railings in their original black and gold, joined by another ten or so passers-by who picked up a brush on the spot. Drivers on Darlington Road honked and waved their approval throughout.

“It’s extremely gratifying to participate in a simple initiative that greatly enhances an important part of Richmond’s built landscape,” said CIC director Donald Cline.

The project came soon after the CIC's appointment as Richmond's Community Anchor Organisation by North Yorkshire Council, tasked with strengthening resilience and community cohesion in the town - work that had already begun with the Amazing Neighbours campaign. Painting the railings showed the same idea in action: small individual actions adding up to something the whole town could be proud of.