The four of us were just a little bit late to the task today as we had a bit of trouble locating the rest of the group. But after a few scenic and sunny detours we eventually saw smoke and the sound of saws in the distance and knew we had made it!

We got straight to work armed with loppers and saws, we tackled dense overhanging branches, and overgrowth helping let in more light and keeping the area in good condition.

On a slightly chilly Sunday morning, three dedicated GoodGym members, including new member Derya on her first task, joined up with the Wildlife Trust at Blows Downs. We tackled the job of clearing scrubland, cutting back brambles, and undergrowth to support the conservation of the area.

The hilly terrain made it a bit of a challenge, but we all got stuck in and worked together to make a visible impact. It was great to see Derya involved in her first mission with such enthusiasm, and we’re excited to see her on future tasks. Well done to Omar too who despite initially getting lost finding the group quickly made up for lost time by single-handedly flattening a whole overgrown area in no time at all!

Rejoining the Luton and Dunstable Conservation Volunteers after a bit of an unintentional break we were working today on the Warden Hill Meadow, a grassland nature reserve on the edge of Luton.

Parts of the meadow had clumps of scrub tree growth, mostly hawthorn and blackthorn which is left unchecked would rapidly spread across the meadow.

We took saws and loppers to the clumps of scrub to reduce their size, leaving a landscape of grassland with a few trees dotted around. Perfect for ensuring that the grassland and the rare species that depend on it is preserved!

It was a windy morning, and seemed so appropriate to be on a task with the Wildlife Trust on Blows Down. Despite there only being one volunteer signed up, I made my way to team up with the volunteers from the Wildlife Trust who have now got used to seeing one or two red shirts swelling their ranks.

As we got to the site of the task we were joined by two groups of young ladies - they might be new recruits for GoodGym. But I think these beautiful cows were either inquisitive to find out what we were doing, or were hopeful that we might be going to feed them.

We soon started with the task of clearing the scrub. I got busy with loppers and saw, and was thrilled when after raking up large piles of scrub and brambles I was given a pitch fork! Lifting the piles aloft and taking them to the bonfire I felt like an extra from the original Shrek movie. Raking was a bit of a challenge, as the wind was determined to blow the piles of dry clippings in the opposite direction, but it least it meant I got some steps in as well as the upper body workout.

The only problem being on a solo mission is that I am useless at taking selfies, but I managed to get a couple of snaps to show that I was there.

Tigger walked to the task on a cold cloudy morning to assist the Luton and Dunstable conservation volunteers team at Bradgers Hill. Arriving at the site we found a ready made pile of dry wood, thanks to the Goodgym group run effort on the previous Wednesday evening. A roaring fire soon got everyone motivated and happy in their work. This kind of outdoor active task is great for keeping warm, and another opportunity to work with the conservation volunteers this week will be on Friday at Kidney Wood. Kidney Wood Conservation - Looking after Luton's green spaces https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/kidney-wood-conservation-b26fdebf-cd22-46fa-b5fb-61ace9bb6a7e

Tigger made an early start and walked to Dallow Downs via a spell of timekeeping duty at Wardown Junior parkrun. Gill followed shortly after morning service at church, and David arrived for the late morning shift and worked into the afternoon. So throughout their day on Dallow Downs the conservation volunteer team had a steady supply of Goodgym assistance, energy and enthusiasm. The working party cleared, pruned and raked and burned, so by the end of the session a significant area of this open green amenity area had been improved. The skies above us were blazing blue and the views from this spot across to Luton's northern hills are exceptional, we all appreciated the winter sun as we worked.