Day 2 helping out at the Nature's Haven show plot for Hampton Court Flower Show meant a very early start to try and beat the heat. After calling in at Nature's Haven to load the car up with plants, Sheila and two other volunteers went to join taskowners Claire and Aleks at the show site.They are also arrived with a van full of plants, so we set to work deciding where each plant should go, and planting them. The theme of 'Give Pain the Boot' inspired the use of second-hand wellies as planters - all plants on display have anti-inflamatory properties. An exhausting day of deliberation, discussion, placing, planting, moving, watering and just a little perspiration! All whilst trying to keep cool and hydrated , but rewarded by the the heavenly scent from the rose marquee wafting our way. We were pleased with the end result and left the garden in a state so that Claire and Aleks can put the final touches to it tomorrow. It was great to be part of such an achievement which has taken many months of planning and preparation. A true team effort

Nature's Haven is putting together a demonstration allotment garden at Hampton Court Flower Show again this year and Sheila was excited to be able to go along and help. Today was all about getting the hard landscaping done. Rob and Matt had the challenge of putting together the greenhouse made from re-purposed doors, beautifully sanded and prepared in previous Goodgym community missions. Claire and I assisted with holding items, giving advice and generally trying to assist them in the task. Meanwhile we were trying to lay a path made from slices of a cut-up tree. Not an easy task as they were all different depths. On a very warm day we finished with a completed greenhouse structure, a mostly-laid path and 4 very tired people! But looking forward to the planting tomorrow

Diya and Kanika went back to the Furze Platt junior school summer fair after having a great time volunteering there last year.

This time we chose to join the Beauty Room for the Hairspray stall. It appears to always be rush hour at the hairspray stall with patrons lining up for colourful hairdos!

We only had one face shield, so could set up just the one station but with most patrons asking for multiple colours, we shared the spraying duties to keep the line moving! Purple, pink, blue, red and white hair soon spread across the fair! 🌈

Work done, we left with big smiles, splattered hands & numb fingers 😆

See you next year FPSA summer fair!

Sol and myself went to the Community Allotment this evening to tend to the veggies and various other plants. We watered them and refilled the watter butts. Sol moved on to stake the bean plants and I removed the side shoots on the tomato plants. A bit more weeding and a Sol-ful touch, in the way of a shallow dish full of water placed strategically on a garden table - an offering for the thirsty birds, and we were done. Ah... and a last minute check on those beetroots, they are thriving! Let the veggies grow!

There were three GoodGymers helping at the Baby Bank today - Carol, Helen and Sheila K. Carol spent most of her time on her knees in one corner. No it wasn’t the naughty corner - she was diligently giving donated clothes a third and final check before folding them up and placing them in the appropriately labelled boxes. Meanwhile Helen and Sheila K were sizing, sorting and folding up a mountain of recyclable bags. Bags of fun for sure!

Margaret, Tessa and Sheila met on a warm but blustery day to help tidy up Spital Cemetery alongside other volunteers. And it turned out to be a prickly business. First we tackled the brambles running along the wall, cutting them down to ground level. Then we moved on to cutting back a holly bush which was was making access along the path a potentially painful business. Finally we tacked a bramble and elder combo which were obscuring a grave. Well done to Maggie for providing the two Hippo bags from her secret stash in which we could put all the prickly clippings. A job well done