Seven super heroes in red shirts (although covered up tonight in warmer layers) came to help out at St Christopher’s Children’s Home in Twickenham.

A regular task, we were back and having made easy work of the front gardens, tonight we went back to back. We searched the shed for tools, and got cracking.

Africa, Chris, JP and Lucy took on the bush-tucker challenge. Although there was less tucking and more chopping, as the shears gave two of the unruly bushes a good trim. Down in the vegetable patch Adam, Cathy and Susan started on clearing the weeds which had run wild in the allotment. Little mountains of hedge trimmings, leaves and green leafy weeds piled up on the compost heap, and before long we have two neat and tidy bushes and a tidy patch. It’s always amazing to see the transformation that we can do in such a short time. Well done tonight gang, bush chopper challenge complete.

The task got me out for some fresh air and exercise and a lovely chat with a good friend. And we were both amazed at just how much litter there was just about any where we looked. It wasn't long before our bags filled and we were on our way to the rest of our day and the streets looking the better for it!

A short but sweet task tonight as we made our way along the Richmond riverside to the boathouses, where we were met by Trevor from the Richmond Boating Scouts. Seven of us were at the annual task of helping to give the arch doors a scrubbing, a sanding and a fresh oiling, ready for the winter ahead.

Block Party

Part one was to give the doors a sanding down. Chris, Liz, Lucy, Adam and Kate armed with sanding blocks started to scour away at the external doors, whilst Monica and Cathy gave the inner side a clean up, and dusted away the cobwebs.

Oil Be There For You

Once cleaned and sanded, we changed from sanding sponges and rags to paintbrushes and pots. Whilst the sun was setting over the Thames, we smothered the doors in teak oil from top to bottom. Kate was on quality control, with Chris and Adam making sure the high bits were painted (and kept a safe distance from Adam’s splash zone, following allegations he was a splatterer when it comes to the paint brush).

Just Let Me A-Door You

Within no time, we stood back to admire the freshly oiled doors, and then turned to admire the stunning orange sky over the water. Trevor thanked us for our efforts, and off we went into the sunset, a Monday night good deed teaked off.

An annual task for us that means a good walk rather than a run, delivering leaflets Richmond CVS to advertise their upcoming Trustee Recruitment evening.

The group met at the Tap as usual for an intro and a chat about some upcoming tasks before heading into surrounding residential streets to deliver the leaflets. Many hands make light work and within an hour all leaflets were posted, with time to admire some doors, front gardens, a passing fox and a hairless cat!