Today we split into two groups - one group cleared ivy and planted some bulbs. The other group, me included, did a good sweep across the whole of the park, litter-picking and generally making sure that the Park was tidy. Being half-term week and the weather being sunny and dry, the park had lots of visitors. There was plenty of litter to be found and we managed to fill 3 bags. Along the way, we found a little yellow fish mould from the sandpit, a comfort blanket for a baby, an adult gillet, and a very small mitten. Otherwise, the litter was as expected including lots of easter egg wrappers! Well they are on sale already in the shops, lots of cans and bottles and some empty popcorn cinema containers and lots of miscellaneous plastic lids, containers and bags. The Park looked much better after we'd all finished and we spent time looking at the buds forming on the trees and bushes, the primroses, crocuses and snowdrops that were peeking through. Spring is definitely on the way and soon the park will be full of colour and vibrancy. We finished the session in the Greenhouse with a cuppa and biscuits talking about holidays being planned and cakes!

After today's foodbank the hall was cleared, tables and chairs packed away, washing up done and floor swept all ready to go again next week! 🧹☕🪑🥄

The GG team were on good form today as a steady line of customers came through the doors assisted by a newly appeared/replacement ramp! Due to half term there was an additional (junior) Rob assisting with the tickets as a runner saving our legs a bit. 🏃‍♂️. Lucy and Tracey worked on the weigh in swaps table, and Richard had the food cupboard flowing. Fiona was working diligently on the front desk. 👌

Unexpected quotes from the craft session at MAKE...

'Oh no, it's come out through her forehead!' (Jen making a hole in a tiny Russian doll); 'I'll hang it in my garden and say hello to Roy Castle every morning' (Jen making a garden mobile incorporating a Tapathon medal); 'I've wedged the holes with lard' (Yvonne designing an ingenious bird-feeder).

In summary, we used finds from the beach and the countryside, as well as giving a second-use to wine-corks, charity shop beads and litter-pick finds to create bird-feeders and hanging mobiles for the garden.

A mindful, artistic 2 hours with delicious MAKE refreshments.

slow and steady progress is being made on my clean up mission!

the tidying up and packing away was done in record time even though the last parcel wasn't finished until 12.20! Various team members had to leave and go back to work.