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!!

We were set tasks which were accomplished in the Nursery. We were introduced to the staff who were helpful and happy at work. There were two of us this time, putting plants into large black trays to be filled with water. Last task, we deadheading.

We finished at 11.30am, and then walked home. Just very glad to have helped and enjoy the atmosphere.

Delivered some medication for Mr G to enable an Urgent procedure

Georgeta and Sheila went to help Mrs S, who is having difficulty in motivating herself to sort through items associated with her late mother and other members of her family. The problem is that they have been piled up on her dining room table for a number of years, and she would like to clear some space so that she can use it when she works from home. We started by setting up bags and boxes for items to be kept, recycled, binned, given to charity or for her husband to look through, and gradually worked our way through the piles. Every item had a story to tell, including a fascinating 1940's (?) confectioners handbook, but we still made steady progress and we gave a cheer when the wood of the table-top was revealed. We found some items that had been missing for ages. Mrs S was reluctant to get rid quite a few things, but she said she had now been inspired to do some more sorting. She was very grateful for our help and we dropped the bags for disposal and recycling into the appropriate wheelie bins on pur way out.

Preparations continue at Nature's Haven for their show plot at Hampton Court Flower Show at the beginning of July. Over the past few months, seeds have been sown, seedlings transplanted and grown on. With the Show only 4 weeks away, now was the time to pot them up into larger pots, ready to be transported. They've got a bit more growing to do, but we can't wait to see them all come together in the garden.

Nivi and Sheila got stuck in to some creative tasks at Ray Mill Island. Nivi continued painting the mural at the rear of the toilet block, adding water lilies and dragonflies. It's looking fantastic, and really brightens up this area. Sheila put together some hand-painted signs advertising the bird trail, so that they can be hung from a tree. We are gearing up for the 1st birthday party for the Friends at the beginning of July, when we hope that as many people as possible can join us to celebrate the transformation that has been made to this area.