11 GoodGymers gathered on a cool Spring evening at the All Saints Church to help improve the cemetery grounds.

A special shout out to all those who cycled to the mission; a whopping 45% (which is nearly 50% if you just round it off!) of the total attendance! Possibly our largest turnout on two wheels. Whoop! 🚴‍♀️🚴🚴‍♀️🚴

Task owners Jo and Anne were waiting for us in the churchyard and gave us a detailed brief and tools.

1. Team Alkanet (Sara, Roberta, Georgeta, Angela, Viv, Tessa, Anna and Amy) went about the strategic task of removing the pretty-but-invasive plants growing within old graves. While these were to be removed from graves as a matter of respect, they were also to be retained in the surrounding areas for bees and insects to enjoy. For their efforts, they were treated to a glorious light of the setting sun.

2. A smaller group (Tony, Rosie and Diya) were led by Jo to the far end of the grounds. Team Bramble cleared out a whole lot, uncovering a few graves which had been completely overrun by the brambles. RIP, hope people can visit them as well now.

An hour and 4 large Hippo bags later, we said our goodbyes. It was hard work but as always, satisfying and wonderfully social.

Four GoodGymers gathered at Ray Mill Island to help the Friends with their ongoing project to transform the area into a more welcoming and biodiverse place. Today's task was to continue with the dry hedging which is separating off an area which has been sown with wildflowers. Various old branches had been collected which we added to the hedge, and some stronger, more flexible hazel branches were woven over the top to help hold everything in place. We also planted a small oak tree in the area which we hope will one day grow as big as the copper beech which is on its way out (but is still a treasure trove of biodiversity) We all learned some new skills. The last job was to water the recently- planted areas - Mick using the hose, and Sheila making use of the Thames water whilst not falling in!

It was the first session of the year at the Community Allotment, and we couldn't have picked a lovelier evening. Anna and Sheila set straight to work, tasked with freeing the fig plants from in amongst the weeds. We filled 3 trugs with cleavers, brambles and nettles, which did their best to fight back. The figs can now grow on, unimpeded. In the remaining time; we gave the raspberry beds a quick weed too

We had a lovely sociable afternoon gathering sprigs of bay, ivy, holly, rosemary, spruce, cedar and more leafy evergreen bits, ready for the Age Concern wreath making fundraiser at the Spencer Denney Centre tomorrow evening.

A very warm welcome to Rupi, who joined us for the first time. Great to meet you!

Thanks to Age Concern task owner Rachel for inviting us to be involved and to foliage expert Ranger Tom for helping us find the best sprigs.

Same time next year? 

7 Goodgymmers met at the Mencap Society hub in Highview House.

Colin, our task owner, and hardworking volunteer at Mencap showed us the front garden which needed tidying up. There were trees to trim, shrubs to shear, weeds to wrangle and leaves to sweep, plenty to keep us busy!

Tony set to work tackling the bigger trees and brambles, while Ben took charge of sweeping the leaves from the paths. Viv took aim at the front of the garden cutting back the overhanging plants. Didem, Anna and Anne-Laure and Jess set to work on the weeds, all not entirely sure what should be pulled out!

In just 30 minutes the team had made a huge difference to the area and the change was clear to see. The rest of the time was then spent tidying up the clippings and getting more of the pesky weeds out! Two full green bins later the team had done a superb job.

Colin invited us in for tea and cake and to see the members who were their for their Wednesday night club. It is such a lifeline to many people in the community and it was great to be able to help them.