There was a definite chill in the air this time as the GoodGym Richmond team gathered with the Friends of Ham Lands for our monthly mission.

A small but hardy group of five met up with Sharon and her gang and awaited instructions. The instructions, to nobody’s great surprise, were to tackle a patch of bramble.

We armed ourselves with loppers, shears and secateurs and got to work, making good progress against our spiky foes.

Excitement arose when Ken asked for Chris’s help some way from the main group. At Ken’s request, Chris climbed up a tree and sawed off a branch, which was overhanging a small sapling and blocking its light.

As usual Sharon had come with provisions and we called time for cups of tea and coffee with biscuits, very welcome on the cold morning. Then we said our goodbyes and headed off for Saturday plans.

Starting at Tap Tavern, Jp celebrated his 600th task, an additional 100 tasks from his milestone 500 in just 11 months!

Beyond the bright lights of Richmond, an intrepid group of GoodGymmers headed off into the dark lands of Petersham to the hidden lair of Petersham and Ham Sea Scouts.

One pair set about emptying a broken trug of soil, one pair helped to level ground to put slabs down for the wheelie bins, and the remaining people got stuck in to a task to filter the ash from the huge bonfire and remove any metal nails that were in the palettes that were burned! A good team task that had everyone doing their bit to get the job done and keep fit while we did it!

The evening ended as the temperature dropped quickly and the group ran back towards the high street and home!