We had a great turnout at the green in Eastney today for an exciting variety of tasks that included: - litter picking - weeding - composting - mulching trees - planting trees - and a surprise wassailing sing along!

For those who aren't familiar with this tradition, wassailing refers to drinking and singing to the health of trees in the hopes that they might better thrive.

"Apple tree, apple tree, we all come to wassail thee, Bear this year and next year to bloom and to blow, Hat fulls, cap fulls, three cornered sack fills, Hip, Hip, Hip, hurrah, Holler biys, holler hurrah!"

Wilder Eastney and the Hampshire & Isle Of Wight Wildlife Trust were on hand to provide us with a cup of warm apple cider and wheel barrows full of compost and mulch to keep us merry!

A very warm welcome to our new Goodgymer Jane who was able to identify a mermaid's purse and some beautiful buck's horn plantain amongst the treasures we found along the way!