Thursday 6:15/ 6:30pm is GoodGym Windsor Night! 👑🏃‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️ Adam, Zoe and Didem met Mandy at the task where Mandy had just met the task owner Daniel.

For tonights community mission we were back at Achieving for Children - Family Hub Service in Hanover Way.

Twas a dark and stormy 🌑💨night on our first visit but even then the Windsor GGs did lots to clear the area and weed etc but we couldn’t paint the bench so we were back to finish the job on a sunny autumn evening ☀️🍁

Sue had previously laid some grass seed which had taken well so we trimmed that but some pesky weeds had grown back so Didem and Mandy tackled those first in the grass, the steps and front of the building while Adam and Zoe rubbed down the bench and step. Then it was time to paint after having a good inspection of each paint pot for the best consistency and giving it a good stir with a trusty stick found by Didem.

It is a small area but there was no standing still. Oh no instead while waiting there was squatting, lunging and plenty of ‘guess if my bum 🍑 is clenched or not clenched’ game 🤣 lots of chit chat and an update on the latest phone tech from Adam.

After the task there was a game of beach ball catch to play and a couple of rounds of jumping jacks to improve our butts.

Don’t forget those before and afters photos 🍑 🤣 and let’s see the results next year!

We handed back to the task owner the brushes and paint and said our goodbyes with a curtsy and bow.

Thank you all for the giggles 🤣 🤣👏🏻👑🏃‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️ and completed task!

My first job at Nature's Haven today was to plant the jasmine plants under the newly erected arch. They were grateful for a final planting place at last, having had a trip to Hampton Court in July and been in pots ever since. Then it was on to weeding the big bed, and trying to work out what was a weed, and what wasn't. After all, a weed is just a plant in the wrong place. The brambles still making an appearance are definitely weeds, as are the thistles. As for the rest, we just made it up as we went along!

4 GoodGymers joined forces this morning at Spital Cemetery in Windsor. Our task was a simple one, weed a long bed, just leaf the roses alone!! As a political discussion threatened to delay the start, Sheila gently coaxed us over to the task location. As the weeds were pulled, the conversation moved from imminent knee operations, to travels plans to busy over head flight paths, you wouldn't be leaf the subjects covered. The sun appeared and as the temperature rose 🌹 the beds were cleared. Soon it was thyme to bid our goodbyes. We all agreed that we had done a blooming good job!

Last night we met at Oaken Grove pond where 2 volunteers from "friends of Oaken Grove" were already hard at work chopping down overgrowth and making a start on sludge removal. Jacqui from RBWM then brought us the equipment we needed to get going - it was a relatively simple task, relocate sludge from pond area to some overgrowth nearby. Simple but stinky, very stinky! All GoodGymmers that attended got stuck in (the mud), some with wellies in the pond area shoveling the sludge into buckets and others moving the sludge via wheelbarrow to the overgrowth. And repeat. A great upper body workout for sure! We came away rather covered in muck but it was good fun and an amazing team effort that made a real dent in the work that needs doing to the pond this year. We were also treated to a beautiful full moon and red skies which made for some nice photos. Well done everyone!

Huge thanks to Tasha for inviting GoodGym to get involved with IHG's big month of doing good.

Amy and the IHG team met up outside the IHG offices in Windsor, shared out hoops and pickers, introduced everyone to GoodGym and had a safety briefing. A big warm welcome to everyone from IHG who signed up!

We then split into small teams and headed off into the surrounding area in search of rubbish. As ever, we didn't have to go far to find lots of cigarette butts, plastic packets, cans and bottles, and in about 45 minutes we filled lots of bags.

Extra kudos to the team members who made sure bottles and cans were separated from general waste, diverting some of the waste from landfill.

Meanwhile, experienced GoodGymer Marilyn headed to the nearby Alexandra Gardens. She reported at 2.15pm that she had filled her bag: 'Met some pickers from IHG doing their bit. Collected from large bottle empty Jack Daniels shame, to cans of beer to bits of paper. Worst bit of rubbish was a bag of dogs 🐕 poo. Enjoyed it none the less hope your team are doing well.' Sorry you were on your own Marilyn - you did a brilliant job!

Litter picking can be a bit depressing as it opens your eyes to just how much rubbish is out there, but everyone approached it with a positive attitude. It really is RUBBISH, but at least we're doing something about it!

Bin there, done that! Got the matching T-shirts!

If this was your first GoodGym session then we would love to see you again. Check out the listings to see what's happening soon near you.

Laura and Sheila got all creative today at Braywick Plant Nurseries, planting up hanging baskets with hardy plants which will provide a nice display all winter. By the end of the session we had had a good catch-up and produced 21 lovely baskets ready for sale