6 Goodgymmers ran to a sheltered housing block on a sunny Sunday morning. We were tasked with moving a large pile of compost and rubbish that is blocking the only fire exit from the back garden. When we started to pull away the vines and branches on the top of the pile, we were greeted by a family of 3 or 4 plump toads, which Abi moved to safety before we started shovelling.

After two hours, we hadn't yet uncovered the exit, but we had made a healthy dent in the pile and filled two bins with bricks, breezeblocks, plastics, and household goods dating to the last century. The big heap of soil that we moved will be used as topsoil for new vegetable and flower planting in the communal garden. Those who stuck around to the bitter end got to dive into the amazing buffet spread that some of the residents had laid out for us.

We'd go back for the food and the toads alone, but we also want to get to the bottom of that gate!