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.

Tony, Sue and Sheila braved the coldest morning of the season so far to go and help muck out the pond at Braywick Nature Reserve. After donning waders ( all except for Sue, whose neat little size 3 feet would have been swamped in the sizes available) and long gloves, we made our way down to the pond. We had to climb over the fence as the gate padlock was frozen, and break the ice on the pond, but Tony was straight into the water in the partially-drained pond. Together with Rangers Tom and Rosie, and members of the Parks Team, we set to work digging out sludge from the edge of the pond into buckets which were then emptied out on the edge of the area. Always being mindful of not digging into the pond liner. Tom and Tony got the pump going to lower the water level and reveal more lovely sludge. We all ended up covered in mud, but had a great time helping out, and after a hose-down back at base, made our way home for a warm-up Feeling like you've missed out? More mud-moving scheduled for next week https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/help-maintain-the-pond-in-the-braywick-nature-reserve-088520ce-95d4-4ffb-aec3-600e17c6253a

The team assembled on site, with a small group having walked together and everyone else making their own way.

We were met by Jon who showed us the stacks of bulbs for planting and instructed us to fill the areas with as many bulbs as possible and then with any left put them in the flowerbeds in the playground.

Everyone armed themselves with tools and bulbs and got to work making a whole lot of holes and bedding the bulbs in!

Although all our work was hidden below ground we hope we will be able to see the fruits of our labour in the spring!

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!