We had sun and rain at Ray Mill Island today, but we were not deterred as we set about our tasks. Sheila and Anna shovelled some compost and barrowed it back to the compound. Anna went to take cuttings of some shrubs around the Island, and brought them back to pot up. Amy felt like getting physical and took on digging out the hibiscus plants so they could be transferred elsewhere. Not an easy task! The roots were all tangled up with nettle roots and chicken wire which had been used to line the area for a previous use. And they were next to a fence, so limiting access. With true GoodGym grit and determination, Amy gave it her all, and was joined by Sheila. Once the hibiscus was loose enough to give a good wobble, Amy employed the Butt technique, and the hibiscus gave up the fight and was out of the ground! We heeled it in to a temporary spot and left the rain to water it in. Amy then had to leave, but spurred on by the success, Sheila and 2 other volunteers tacked the second plant, and employing the same technique, managed to dig that one out too! Way to Go! We all went home muddy but satisfied with our progress

Make Space for Life had lots of apple trees to prune at the Community Orchard, so they asked for some help from GoodGym. Sarah , Viv and Anne-Laure joined Fiona on North Town Moor. Together with other volunteers we had a quick lesson on pruning apple trees from Taskowner John, and were let loose on the trees. We snipped and lopped the branches, trying to maintain an open shape and cut back anything that was too thin to bear the weight of the fruit. A quick coffee break and re-fuelled by biscuits, we returned to our task. We all learned something and will have the confidence to try it out on our own trees in the future! John was grateful for our help and we hope to be invited back in the future

5 GoodGymers helped out at the Baby Bank this morning. Whilst Carys, Jane and Sheila sorted clothes donations, Carol and Karen were asked to have a look at the Fancy Dress donations. Were there enough in good condition in order to have a pop-up sale just before World Book Day to raise some vital funds. They had fun sorting through the clothes,labelled them with sizes and were pleased to find sufficient for a pop-up sale to be viable. Hurrah!

Eleven crafty Goodgymers gathered at the Community centre to create colourful bunting. First they carefully drew around the templates to make six triangles on each felt sheet. Next they cut out the triangles and arranged them into a coloured sequence. Finally they were stuck on string in a repeating pattern. The bunting looked amazing and will help decorate the library for Maidenhead's Big Read on 7th and 8th of March.

On a bright Saturday morning a large Maidenhead waterways party met. After donning waders and picking up tools we trooped off to the task sites. The group was divided into two, you could say we branched out?? My group went to moved a tree that had fallen across the waterway. There was much discussion and head scratching and eventually with the help of chainsaws and winches the tree hit terra firma. A very successful and rewarding morning.

Goodgymmers from around the country got involved delivering plastic tubs to Greene King pubs to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support!

Well Done everyone and I hope you all got to enjoy the contents first!!

(if you have delivered tubs but are not registered let me know and I will add you on!)