THE sales from a pizza catering business have provided Gillingham Town Meadow with the funds to survive the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the Gillingham Town Council meeting on July 27, Councillor Sharon Cullingford said: “Unfortunately due to us losing income this year, because a lot of the clubs and societies have cancelled their meetings and events, Hidden Pizza has come in and I’m really pleased to say that the money it is giving us for being able to sell coffee and pizzas, we’re raising enough money to cover all of our expenses.

“It has saved the meadow.

“The meadow is actually making enough money to be able to support itself for this year.”

Cllr Cullingford added that ice cream stall Arctic Cow has also been serving on Fridays, and a book sale that took place in the meadow last month raised more than £250.

It was also heard during the meeting that a bench dedicated to Jackie Kemp was “vandalised beyond repair”, with Cllr Cullingford adding “It’s really sad to see the youngsters have kicked it and destroyed it.”

The incident will now be reported to Dorset Police.