Soroptimist (Soror = Sister; Optima = the best; soroptimist = the best of sisters) International (SI) is a global women's organisation, which inspires action to transform the lives of women and girls around the world.

Last night I was invited to a meeting of SI Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead to talk all things Goodgymer.

As both a Soroptimist and a Goodgymer this was a crossover event for me.

I took them through what Goodgym is, the story so far; why we do it; good deeds, missions and other terminology; gave then some National and Local statistics; explained how they can get involved....in fact one of the members was already aware of us as she is a Trustee of one of GG Windsor and Maidenheads beneficiaries (Age Concern - Spencer Denney Centre) and gave them the opportunity to ask questions.

Seven Goodgymers met with Ranger Tom at Braywick Nature Centre. Our task had changed slightly - we were asked to coppice some trees and transport the branches to an area where they will be used to build some dry hedges. The saying goes, that wood keeps you warm three times - once when you chop it, once when you split it, and again when you burn it. Well in our case it kept us warm at least three times, but for different reasons. Tom found us two stands of hazel to chop down, so we split into 2 groups and set to work. With loppers, pruning saws and bow saws we set about chopping the trunks down. This certainly kept us very warm! We trimmed off the smaller branches and made some nice long stakes. Still kept us warm! And finally we carried them over to the hedge-building area - definitely still warm! Great team work and it was lovely to meet up with everyone again

Sheila went to help at the Bramley 20/10 Road Race on a bitterly cold day. I was at the marshal point just a few hundred yards from the start, but also just past the half-way point for those intrepid runners embarking on a second lap to complete the 20-mile course. 600 runners took part, and it was a lovely happy atmosphere and we kept ourselves warm by cheering the runners on vigorously. The kind gentlemen who owned the house I was stationed outside, kindly brought me a cup of tea. And very welcome it was too!

4 Goodgymers met with a small group of Friends of Ray Mill Island (including four mini Friends) for some family friendly Island TLC.

The main job of the day was to widen the main path running in front of the playground and cafe. This involved digging away the earth at the edge of the path and transferring it by wheelbarrow to the compost area. At the compost area a couple of volunteers sifted through the soil to remove roots. The mini friends enjoyed looking for the worms and transporting them in the wheel barrow to a safer place.

The path team then moved some logs and branches to mark out the new edge.

There were lots of squirrels taking an interest in our work with one particularly curious squirrel who befriended Jen and one of the mini friends.

Today at Nature's Haven Sheila helped Claire put up three nest boxes on trees. Making sure they faced away from the prevailing wind (luckily we have a meteorologist in our midst), we attached them to the tree and excitedly wait to see if they will be occupied

It was great to welcome Akaal to her first task. Meeting Adam and I at the Spencer Denney Centre, Akaal's arrival made us a small but perfectly formed team.

First job was sweeping up the leaves out the front and tidying the pots. Adam and Akaal swept the leaves into crates and I carried the crates round to empty them into the compost.

We then moved some troughs and plants round to the back and then spent time tidying and topping up a range of pots and troughs and planting some spring bulbs. We then swapped some of the troughs and pots from the back to the front of the building.

Just as we were finishing up we spotted two more pots that needed a revamp and managed to squeeze in a compost top up and squeezed in a few more spring bulbs.

Time for a quick group photo and a quick farewell.