8 Goodgymers met with Helen from Wild Maidenhead to help take back a formerly neglected space in Desborough park.

Weeding a bed and laying bark chip over was the plan and we all cracked on and got it covered.

Too much bark in the end so some left over but plenty of feel good vibes in the setting sun from a warm afternoon.

After a day of heavy rain we were truly blessed to have had the beautiful weather and stunning river views on the walk to and from our task this evening.

We met at the car park and then walked 1km to Battlemead of which some paths had already been cleared for us by Ranger Tom earlier that day, as it was heavily overgrown with large stinging nettles.

Amy showed us what the Himalayan Balsam was and we set to work by pulling out as much as we could of the invasive plant which makes it harder for other species to grow in the area.

It was very satisfying especially when we found a big one and the roots came out really easily so we didn’t need any tools.

After around 45 minutes we walked back and enjoyed the scenery once again, this time with the sun setting.

Well done everyone - keep a lookout for more of the same tasks happening soon and do sign up if you can, as there is lots to get rid of!

11 GoodGymers gathered on a cool Spring evening at the All Saints Church to help improve the cemetery grounds.

A special shout out to all those who cycled to the mission; a whopping 45% (which is nearly 50% if you just round it off!) of the total attendance! Possibly our largest turnout on two wheels. Whoop! 🚴‍♀️🚴🚴‍♀️🚴

Task owners Jo and Anne were waiting for us in the churchyard and gave us a detailed brief and tools.

1. Team Alkanet (Sara, Roberta, Georgeta, Angela, Viv, Tessa, Anna and Amy) went about the strategic task of removing the pretty-but-invasive plants growing within old graves. While these were to be removed from graves as a matter of respect, they were also to be retained in the surrounding areas for bees and insects to enjoy. For their efforts, they were treated to a glorious light of the setting sun.

2. A smaller group (Tony, Rosie and Diya) were led by Jo to the far end of the grounds. Team Bramble cleared out a whole lot, uncovering a few graves which had been completely overrun by the brambles. RIP, hope people can visit them as well now.

An hour and 4 large Hippo bags later, we said our goodbyes. It was hard work but as always, satisfying and wonderfully social.

5 Goodgymers joined taskowner Karen and another volunteer at Spital Cemetery for the first workparty of the year And we couldn't have picked a more beautiful day! Sheila, Christina, Tessa and Mary worked on revealing a gravestone from the brambles that were engulfing it. Eventually we were able to read the lettering- the headstone commemorated Helen Poraz, who died at the age of sixteen in 1887 and we think hailed from Courtachy in Scotland. Meanwhile Sue and Maggie worked in the woodland area, clearing the paths and they created a huge deadwood pile using several trunks and large branches, supplemented with smaller branches. This was partly buried with some clods of earth shoveled by Tessa, which will be great for wildlife. They also discovered 2 new graves which had been completely hidden A productive and satisfying morning's work

Last night, a big group of GoodGymmers (14 to be exact) along with 2 members of the local council gathered around a large laurel bush on the corner of St Luke's Road and Cordwallis Road. 2 groups had made sure they opted for active travel to arrive at the task - Sophie, Jess and Kelley ran 2km and there was a group of approximately 5-6 walkers who walked around 1.5km.

The task was to chop the bush down to make way for a nature garden for St Luke's School, just across the road. It was probably the biggest bush that GoodGym have trimmed thus far...!

Our task leader brought along lots of tools to help us - loppers, sacateurs and litter pickers - as there was a lot of litter buried deep within the bush! And nobody likes a dirty bush! So we did a sterling job of cleaning it up, chopping it back and our task leader was very handy with the saw to tackle the bigger branches. We worked on the bush for an hour and made a huge amount of progress which our task leader was very grateful for.

It was one heck of a workout and we were all sweating by the end, which meant we definitely all deserved some treats.

Thankfully, the amazing Anne-Laure made sure to plan her 50th good deed with this enormous group of hungry GoodGymmers and Rachel made the most epic cake and even provided homemade brownies for the free-from participants! Amy presented Anne-Laure with the customary handmade GoodGym medal too. Congratulations Anne-Laure on reaching this milestone and thank you Rachel for the yummy cakes and brownies!

I think we can all agree that the task was hard work, a laurel fun and as always, great company. There is a lot of laurel now piled up needing to be taken away so if any GoodGymmers are able to assist please message either Sophie or Amy via the whatsapp who can put you in touch with the task owner and you can self-log a good deed.

Great work GG team!

Tessa, Rachel, Sheila, Kanika and I met up at Pinkneys Green, which is green and lovely to the untrained eye, but sadly awash with litter when you start looking more carefully, especially along the roads.

It was great to meet Leysa and Darren. Leysa has been doing a brilliant job organising litter picks with other residents locally, and was joining up with GoodGym for the first time.

We found heaps of rubbish - the usual cans, bottles and snack packaging, most likely lobbed from car windows, and lots of dog poo bags too.

Thanks to Leysa for informing the council of our plans. Tivoli came and took away our rubbish at the end of the session.

Sorry I didn't manage to get a photo of the group!

Meanwhile Viv, Angela and Georgeta did litter picks in their own neighbourhoods. Viv and Angela were joined by honorary canine member Flora and Georgeta worked hard to pick up lots of pieces that had been shredded by a mower, including a car floor mat.