7 Goodgymmers met at the Mencap Society hub in Highview House.

Colin, our task owner, and hardworking volunteer at Mencap showed us the front garden which needed tidying up. There were trees to trim, shrubs to shear, weeds to wrangle and leaves to sweep, plenty to keep us busy!

Tony set to work tackling the bigger trees and brambles, while Ben took charge of sweeping the leaves from the paths. Viv took aim at the front of the garden cutting back the overhanging plants. Didem, Anna and Anne-Laure and Jess set to work on the weeds, all not entirely sure what should be pulled out!

In just 30 minutes the team had made a huge difference to the area and the change was clear to see. The rest of the time was then spent tidying up the clippings and getting more of the pesky weeds out! Two full green bins later the team had done a superb job.

Colin invited us in for tea and cake and to see the members who were their for their Wednesday night club. It is such a lifeline to many people in the community and it was great to be able to help them.

At Braywick Plant Nursery, Anna and Sheila were tasked with looking after the perennials that had been brought inside for the winter. We have them all a top dressing of plant food which should give them a boost, then cut back any spent foliage. They looked much better by the end

Pun Gent!!

That was the order of the day as 5 Goodgymmers met Dave and Catherine from Friends of Oaken Grove Park to help clear more sludge from the pond.

With everyone having been before we got stuck straight in using spades and wheelbarrows to scoop the sludge from the pond.

The sludge was then moved to the edge of the park, avoiding getting it on the bike track.

The majority of Park users were pleased to see the pond getting some attention, although others found it a bit stinky!!!

With the water level in the pond clearly reduced we were pleased with our efforts but relived to head home to clean up!

Last night we met at Oaken Grove pond where 2 volunteers from "friends of Oaken Grove" were already hard at work chopping down overgrowth and making a start on sludge removal. Jacqui from RBWM then brought us the equipment we needed to get going - it was a relatively simple task, relocate sludge from pond area to some overgrowth nearby. Simple but stinky, very stinky! All GoodGymmers that attended got stuck in (the mud), some with wellies in the pond area shoveling the sludge into buckets and others moving the sludge via wheelbarrow to the overgrowth. And repeat. A great upper body workout for sure! We came away rather covered in muck but it was good fun and an amazing team effort that made a real dent in the work that needs doing to the pond this year. We were also treated to a beautiful full moon and red skies which made for some nice photos. Well done everyone!

Anna, Georgeta, Sara and Sheila all signed up to help at the annual Sunflower Walk in aid of Thames Hospice. The weather was looking changeable so we went prepared for anything..There were 3 routes for walkers of differing lengths, and Georgeta was assigned to a spot where the 10km and half marathon walkers crossed over the Thames on the way out as well as the way back. So she saw plenty of action. Sara and Sheila cycled to the end of the Long Walk, with stunning views of Windsor Castle (once the morning mist had cleared) and were able to tell the 100 or so intrepid walkers tackling the half marathon that they were now half way. It was lovely to see everyone dressed up with all their sunflower-related costumes, including an enterprising group with flower pot skirts. Everyone was safely sent on their way, and it only rained twice, and once the tail-walker came round, we were able to leave our posts. Sara and Sheila cycled back via the scenic route to meet up with Georgeta who was basking in lovely sunshine, enjoying her scenic spot, and directing the walkers back for their final couple of km. Back at base we found Anna, who had initially been serving refreshments but then promoted to welcoming the walkers home and handing out finishers' medals. It was great to help out with this event again, for such a worthwhile cause