Tonight's top team of Balsam Bashers met at Boulter's Lock and before we set off important business needed to be taken care of! Firstly we welcomed first timers Phil and Mary and secondly, Georgeta has completed a huge 500 Good Deeds and she was presented with her special medal, adorned with a special ring found during a sludgy pond clearing mission, and her royal cape!

The team then set off on a chatty 1km walk to Battlemead where the balsam awaited us. We snuck over the fence and through the forest of stinging nettles to the middle of the area. Here Amy reminded us of what we were looking for and then the Balsam bashing began! The Goodgym locust swarm swept through the area relieving the ground of the balsam with a satisfying 'pop'. We found the balsam was bigger round the reeds in the wetter land and had soon pulled up handfuls and helped to stop the invasive species spreading further!

Satisfied with our efforts but knowing there is lots more hiding amongst the nettles we headed back along the river. However, we can't acknowledge a Good Deed milestone without some cake and Amy was the baker tonight! We tucked in as Amy read us some words from Sheila about the amazing selfless volunteering Georgeta has done in the area and especially the social visits which have proved a lifeline to older residents. She is a shining star!!

8 Goodgymers met with Helen from Wild Maidenhead to help take back a formerly neglected space in Desborough park.

Weeding a bed and laying bark chip over was the plan and we all cracked on and got it covered.

Too much bark in the end so some left over but plenty of feel good vibes in the setting sun from a warm afternoon.

11 GoodGymers gathered on a cool Spring evening at the All Saints Church to help improve the cemetery grounds.

A special shout out to all those who cycled to the mission; a whopping 45% (which is nearly 50% if you just round it off!) of the total attendance! Possibly our largest turnout on two wheels. Whoop! 🚴‍♀️🚴🚴‍♀️🚴

Task owners Jo and Anne were waiting for us in the churchyard and gave us a detailed brief and tools.

1. Team Alkanet (Sara, Roberta, Georgeta, Angela, Viv, Tessa, Anna and Amy) went about the strategic task of removing the pretty-but-invasive plants growing within old graves. While these were to be removed from graves as a matter of respect, they were also to be retained in the surrounding areas for bees and insects to enjoy. For their efforts, they were treated to a glorious light of the setting sun.

2. A smaller group (Tony, Rosie and Diya) were led by Jo to the far end of the grounds. Team Bramble cleared out a whole lot, uncovering a few graves which had been completely overrun by the brambles. RIP, hope people can visit them as well now.

An hour and 4 large Hippo bags later, we said our goodbyes. It was hard work but as always, satisfying and wonderfully social.

Nine Goodgymers set to work tidying and sweeping the back garden at Mencap. Sheila, Viv, Jess Mike and Georgetta weeded, trimned and swept the planter area with lightning speed! Roberta, Ben and Sol dug out weeds and tidied the area near the shed. After yet more sweeping and moss removal the garden is ready for the mencap community and the warmer weather! The evening was rounded off by celebrating Angela's 100 th good deed with a wonderful poem and cake from Amy and Sheila.

....and here is Amy hijacking Angela's report to share the poem:

Angela Shaw: A grade A GoodGymer, to be sure!

Active and athletic!

Altruistic and able!

Agile and adaptable!

So amazing, that even without one of her ‘A’s

She’s an angel.

The only problem with Angela

Is that finding rhymes is a challenge, er…

And the word angel

Is also hard for a poet to wrangle.

Her amazing achievements we cannot ignore,

So thank goodness for her last name, Shaw,

Which rhymes easily with words galore!

Angela’s good deeds now number twenty and fourscore

(Which means 100 in the language of yore)

If she has a spare moment, she doesn’t snore.

She’ll go to Nature’s Haven and sand a door!

She’ll shovel sludge to work her core,

And clear away brambles til her hands are sore.

She’ll give foodshare donations to the store,

But on Balsam and Ragwort she’s waging war!

She picks up litter, she sweeps the floor

And she tidies up plastic from the sea shore!

She put the lantern parade leaflet through your door

And doesn’t even mind a pothole chore!

On paddleboard or bike she loves to explore.

And her cycle abilities are really top drawer:

She teaches bike safety to kids in year 4

And even support rides with Peggy the tri-shaw!

So let’s hear it for this legend of local folklore,

Our faith in humanity she does restore,

Hip hip hooray for Angela Shaw!