We were back at the Weller Centre for probably our last outdoor task of the year without needing headtorches before we'd finished!

There was hedge trimming to be done and shredding of the already cut bags of branches to get through. We started by dragging the deceptively heavy bags around the building, where Shirley donned safety gear and got to work on the shredder. Jenni and Chris, joined by taskowner Katie, worked on the hedge. With the extra long loppers we were able to get some of the high bits, and make the hedge neater.

With the light fading, we piled our trimmings, put the tools back in the well organised shed, and admired Shirley's work reducing a whole bag of cuttings to a small pile of fine shreds.

Next week, we're back over in Reading town centre for some litter picking, sign up to join us here

On Monday, four GoodGymers went to help out at the Food4Families allotment. Armed with enthusiasm, gloves and a few garden tools, we got straight to the root of the problem.

We weeded the beds so the tomatoes and beans can grow without competition, gave the plants a good drink to keep them from feeling wilted, and even pumped up the water supply.

The local insects also decided to join in, leaving us with more than a few itchy “souvenirs” to remember the session by. You could say they really bit into the task with us.

By the end, the plot was looking fresher, without all the marestail and other weeds the plants were happier. So despite the bug buffet, we left feeling like we’d really sown some seeds of goodness.

On Sunday, we went to Reading Bike Hub's soon-to-be location on King's Road, in the very long vacant Mothercare shop! They will be having their grand opening on 7th September and their aim is to make cycling more accessible in Reading! They will have bikes to buy and borrow, trailer bikes to try and our friends from Repair Cafe will be there to show poeple how to fix bikes, and Library of Things will have items to borrow too. What a great community hub!

With lots of work already been put in to get the space ready by the core volunteering team, Kat, Simon and Stuart, the space is already shaping up well!

Our tasks for the session included moving over 50 bikes from the shop floor, round the side of the shop and through the loading bay to be stored and checked over for repairs. It was great fun taking them for a test ride and definitely a good circuits workout to get them all in place! The basement will eventually be used as a learn to cycle route too - amazing!

Back at the shop front, after years of sticky vinyl on the windows, there was plenty of elbow grease needed to get the last of the sticky off and make it shine!

We couldn't leave without trialling the mini kids bikes, to test them, of course! They are planning to have a rental scheme for children's bikes to size up when your child outgrows their bike, what a great idea!

With news coming in that there had been damage to the community garden at the Weller Centre over the weekend, we were prepared for the worst... but thankfully, while there had been some of the fruit and veg damaged, overall the garden was OK!

There was still plenty for us to do, and we all set to work. Holly went on the hunt for litter, Chris got to work shredding the branches that had been cut down by other volunteers, Jenni started to move the compost piles and Shirley emptied the shed to get it reorganised, which turned out to be a big job!

With all the litter gathered, and the muscles aching from soil turning, Holly and Jenni helped Shirley (along with Katie and Penny!) get everything sorted to go back into the shed. Organised, stacked and much easier to get to!

Chris' shredding job had been complete too and there was then even space in the shed for the tool - borrowed from the excellent 'Library of Things' - to be tucked away too. Job done!

We'll be back at the Community Garden again in a few weeks for more!