Maëlys joined us for her first Group Run this evening after a visit to Baffins Pond last weekend. Maëlys is just visiting Portsmouth for a holiday, so we are super grateful she chose to spend some of her break helping out!

Our main topic of conversation this evening was cricket. We found out that Ranjitha's husband plays for Portsmouth and that several of us have been enjoying The Hundred over the last couple of weeks. We were even joined by a cricket (or perhaps a grasshopper) whilst we worked, who was particularly fond of Judy!

I'm quite gutted we didn't get a "before" photo, because the difference we made to the weedy and leafy paths was huge! Lots of effort was put in to pulling weeds, sweeping brickwork and even sawing down an ivy and bramble infested stump. Barbara was once again very please with our work - well done, everyone!

... and with purpose!

Mrs P's tortoises were curious about what I was up to and trailed around behind me as I weeded, strimmed, clipped and swept.

Mrs P was very pleased with the tidy end result.

I cleared the cans, bottles and litter from the Street Garden.

Superb efforts from everyone who took part in litter picks across Portsmouth and beyond today!

Mel and Vicki kicked things off nice and early with a pick at Alexandra Park, although Jane was actually first in with her pick last night! Julie received plenty of praise from passers by as she cleaned up by Lidl. Laura and her dog, Woody, completed an early morning beach clean. It seems Woody was disappointed he didn't find any snacks, only food wrappers!

We've had a trolley retrieved from the chalk cliffs of Paulsgrove by Lucy and Duncan, a beach clean in Bracklesham with an accompanying sea dip for Judy and Val and a whopping 16 mile run with a cemetery litter pick by Andy!

Nia and baby Zoe headed to Southampton Common for their pick, whilst Dave and I took a stroll through Sherwood Forest to burn off a very unnecessary sundae!

Ness and Sinéad focused on the shoreline for their picks at Fort Cumberland and Langstone Harbour respectively.

We'll be back to normal next week with a visit to the You Trust in North End for some painting and decorating. Hopefully see you in person then!