It was a Cool(ley's) evening in Eton Wick, so we started with a warm up including lots of hopping about, before power walking along the river to our task at Coolley's Meadow.

Our first achievement was finding lovely task owner Claire in the dark. She always has Eton Wick-ed tasks lined up for us and this evening was no exception. Our to do list included fruit trees to plant, litter to gather and a buddleia to relocate. She also had a torch that resembled a light saber and some garden forks, which tee-d Lou up nicely for our report title.

Gillian and Lou took on the litter challenge, and filled 2 big bags with rubbish, much of which had gathered in the arches under the A322. Clara and I planted a cherry tree and plum tree and dug holes ready for the buddleia, which Georgeta and Rachel were busy wrestling and cutting out of the ground with Claire in the adjacent field. Clara and I weren't sure exactly how many holes were needed or how big, so it was a bit of a stab in the dark!

The team re-grouped after about 45 minutes and then we worked together to wedge the buddleia shrubs into their new homes. The clock was ticking so there was no time to beat around the bush(es). We were a bit concerned the leggy buddleia might get blown over before the roots had a chance to take, so Gillian whizzed down the line and cut them back.

We can't wait to see them bounce back in the Spring (fingers crossed!), and no doubt the pollinators will be buzzing too. In their old home the buddleia was normally mown back just at the moment the butterflies would enjoy it most, but together with the fruit trees, in its new position it helps create a 'pollinator positive highway' towards the crop in South Field.

In all the excitement of the January Challenge over the last few days, I failed to realise that Gillian would be achieving her 50th good deed this evening. Indeed Gillian has done 17 of those good deeds in January, and 8 in the last week! Loads of litter picking, crawling through thorns to remove tree guards, sorting donations at the Baby Bank, doing the first timers' briefing at parkrun, and surveying birds are just a few of the brilliant ways Gillian has made a difference in our community. Gillian, huge congratulations to you, and apologies for not celebrating this evening! We will be sure to celebrate soon. Cake makers take note...ready, steady, bake!