A lovely sunny morning pruning gooseberry bushes and apple trees at Margaret Wright Community Orchard.

We learned lots from Leo about how to shape properly, looking out for branches growing into the centre of the tree and those that would block the light of others. For a first go, we were pleased with the outcome!

It was lovely to meet new a GoodGymer,Sophia, and thanks to the team from Abbey People for being so welcoming. We look forward to next time.

Fen drayton lakes still flooded, so we were clearing the very thorny wild rose branches and cutting hawthorn

Joined the RSPB volunteers to cut hawthorn trees and use the branches to protect their bases from deer to allow regrowth.

On a freezing morning, the hole digging soon made us warm. Each fruit Bush needed a hole loads bigger than the pot it was in because the ground underneath had not been disturbed ever before and so it was solid rock and clay. Those poor roots needed all the help we could give them! Then we moved on to straightening up and strengthening the fencing protecting it all. Many thanks to Nick and Harriet - we made a good team alongside Caitlin and her other helpers.

This morning we had the pleasure of joining Abbey People to plant fruit bushes and trees in Abbey ward as part of a project that aims to improve the environment and safety near a local school in the community. There were blackberry, red current and gooseberry bushes, and even an apple tree. We look forward to seeing them flourish.

As well as doing some hard graft, we learned lots about how to successfully establish trees from Abbey People's Emma and Caitlin, and tree experts Kenny and Ed.

We'll be helping plant more trees in the new year, so look out for future community missions!