1 Goodgymer returned to help ARC CIC with clearing the autumn leaves at New Street Nature Park.

With the forecast predicting heavy rain from 2pm onwards, we decided to meet slightly earlier than planned to try and beat the bad weather, so it was a race against the clock to get as many leaves cleared as we could before the rain appeared.

With the wind against us, it felt at times as though we were in Belatrix's vault in Harry Potter with the leaves seeming to multiply as we touched them. At least 10 huge builders sacks later and it finally felt as though we were making some progress, just as the heavens opened and the rain started to fall.

Hopefully there will be lots of lovely leaf mulch to use around the park in a few months' time.

2 Goodgymers returned to New Street Nature Park to help with the annual leaf clearance.

Upon arrival we met the other regular volunteers who help to maintain the park. Without delay we got stuck in with raking the leaves into big piles. Unfortunately the grass underneath the leaves was quite long where the weather has been so warm in October, which made raking the leaves slightly more difficult than normal! We managed to fill a tonne builders bag 7 times (including crushing down the leaves) and dragged it over to the compost. This created a new technique for collecting the leaves as the bag acted like a giant rake as we dragged it along the ground, collecting the leaves in front of the bag to then be picked up and added to the bag.

2 hours later and everyone was getting tired, so we called it a day and can always return at a later date to finish the job.

2 Goodgymers returned to the beautiful Children's Forest in Radford Semele to help with caring for the trees.

Around 1800 saplings were planted over the winter that now need caring for whilst they are still young and vulnerable. Today's task involved weeding around the base of the trees to remove any plants competing for nutrients and then adding some additional mulch to help lock in any moisture into the soil, giving the trees the best chance to survive. We also removed some Chicory which is so tall it is casting shade on the trees.

It was lovely to see that so many of the trees have survived the hot summer and that the shed we helped to put up a few months ago has also survived!

4 Goodgymers helped ARC CIC with clearing an area of ground, laying slabs and erecting a shed near the Children's Forest to help with the future maintenance of the forest.

After helping with tree planting at the same location last weekend, we returned to Leasowes Farm with tools in hand to start with digging up lots of gnarly roots that were in the space where the new shed was planned to be positioned. This was a good workout for everyone and certainly got us all feeling a bit warmer.

Next we were leveling out the ground as best we could given the soggy clay soil to try and get a solid base for the slabs to sit on. Laura re-enacted her skipping from last week to level out the ground with lots of additional stamping and then we put the slabs in place. With a little bit of extra mud to pack out certain corners we got it sufficiently straight and level - according to the spirit level it was spot on in one direction!

Next it was a case of erecting the shed. After an emergency rush to get additional tools that Kath kindly lent us, we set to work holding the sides of the shed in position whilst Nigel screwed them together. Thankfully Allan's screwdriver came in handy when we realised the door had swelled in the damp and so Nigel was now stuck inside the shed as we couldn't get the door open!

It was then a rush to get the roof in position and the felt on before the impending rain. After a battle with the wind, we managed to get the majority of the roof felting tacked on and the shed was sufficiently weather proof. A job well done by all!

Just as he thought he was heading home for a rest and a cuppa, Allan was yet again the knight in shining armour as he helped us by pushing our car to get it out of the muddy quagmire that it had got stuck in! All in a day's work for GoodGym!

On a warm but windy January afternoon 5 GoodGymers (along with some honorary GoodGym family members) supported ARC CIC at Leasowe's Farm in Radford Semele to plant trees that will one day become the future Children's Forest.

After an introduction about the purpose and plans for the project from Kristie of ARC, the group walked down to the field where the forest was due to be planted.

In keeping with a Native American tradition, a small fire was lit and those that wanted to were invited to add a stick to the fire whilst making a wish for the future of the Forest. This gave everyone a moment for some mindfulness and to think about what they were grateful for today.

We were then given a demonstration of how to plant the trees and introduced to the various varieties that were to be planted including Hawthorn, Dogwood and Oaks to name a few. Holes were dug, trees were planted and protectors were put in place to protect the small saplings from hungry rabbits.

2 hours and 100 trees later it was time to pack up. But not before a quick dance around the trees to help encourage the worms to come and fertilise the soil.

It was a really lovely afternoon and great to do something positive to help climate change and create a rich and diverse environment for future generations of humans, animals and insects alike!

It was particularly nice to welcome Steve along to his first ever GoodGym task along with Laura and children :-)

2 Goodgym runners got an active lunchtime workout helping ARC volunteers clear the autumn leaves at New Street Nature Park in Leamington Spa.

Upon arrival the size of the task ahead of us was displayed for all to see - the beautiful mature trees in the park standing naked with a carpet of leaves at their feet.

Rakes in hand, we started raking the leaves into small piles before filling up the wheelbarrow or gardening bags and carrying them to 4 larger piles around the edge of the park where they will mulch down ready to be re-used as compost next year. Clearing the leaves will also make it easier for the grass underneath to grow again once the warmer weather returns.

Such a beautiful day to be outside with the sun shining down on us the whole time - unbe-leaf-able!