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.

9 Goodgymers and 1 head of the PTA made their way to all saints school for a round of hole digging for the planting of trees by the children, bin emptying followed by the collection of nearly 2 hippo bags full of leaves!

It didn’t go unnoticed that it was the first task Louise has lead where it didn’t rain! which has clearly now jinxed the coming tasks

A play on the scooters found in the bike storage ensured that we were entertained and warmed up nicely before we all made our way home to warm up frozen toes and noses!

4 of us were walking to the task this evening so we parked in the (very dark) Butterfly Trail car park and walked through the creepy thicket to Burchetts green school to meet the others and clear leaves from the playground. We created huge piles (of leaves) and posted them over the fence, leaving the playground looking spick and span. After a very nifty fitness session we made our way home.

10 Goodgymers made their way to Nature's Haven where we met with Claire, our taskowner, who was already setting up the firepit and stringing up the lights. It promised to be a good night! In preparation for an important visitor in a few days days time, we had lots of jobs to do. In typical Goodgym fashion, everyone set to work on our various tasks. One group weeded an area and transplanted some hellebores, while others tidied the spare pots. Meanwhile others dug trenches in a bed and planted a row of box plants after first sawing off half their roots to ensure they fitted in the holes. Others weeded the beds and paths, and Ben proved to be very handy with the broom, leaving everything neat and tidy. We were rewarded with hot chocolate and marshmallows to toast over the firepit. Fantastic. Great work, Goodgym