We work in partnership with the Friends of Sydney Gardens on every fourth Sunday of the month, and love doing so. Last week we had an urgent request for help, with days to gather some GoodGymmers.

As it turned out, there were 1,000 tulip bulbs and they needed planting very quickly. In fact, my lack of knowledge or horticulture showing here, it was technically aleady too late as they ought to have been planted last November time. I'm guessing they didn't arrive in time for that and it turns out a late planting won't stop them growing, they just might be a little late.

Despite the short notice, GoodGymmers Alice and Meyrick were able to make it and we joined their regular team of volunteers. First task was to dig holes, and despite the freezing weather this was much easier than we'd thought. In fact the main frustration were stones and roots, but we dug ourselves some good holes.

By the time we left, our GoodGym holes added to their holes was enough to consume all 1,000 bulbs. With any luck, when we return in late spring we will be able to see the fruits of our labour.

Every year, we have one of our most popular missions: putting up the Christmas decorations at St John's Court at the end of November. It's really great, you should try it, it's almost as if Christmas starts with this mission.

However, there obviously comes a time when we have to reverse our good work and take the decorations down. Now, usually, this is not as popular a mission as putting the decorations up; no one wants to say good bye to Christmas.

Last night though, we had a pretty good crowd with seven GoodGymmers turning up to de-Christmas St John's Court. Newcomers Alice and Steve were both very welcome indeed and we look forward to seeing them both again on future missions!

Also in attendance were GoodGym stalwarts Stephen, Tanya, Meyrick, Vicky and recent addition Katie. All in all more than enough hands to help pack everything away.

There was genuine thanks from the residents as well, one had even come downstairs especially to thanks us for putting up (and taking down) the decorations for them every year as they could not do it without us.

We left promising to see them again next Christmas - it's only 352 days away....