Ten happy goodgymers arrived at All Saints church ready to pull ivy, dig ditches and pile up leaves. After much chatter and some effort a large patch of fence was cleared, a ditch was prepared for future hedge planting and a habit for wildlife was created. Maybe next time we may spot the odd hedgehog or some wild life in the new hedge! A bemused passerby seemed worried by the torchlight action in the churchyard but admitted that he had recently watched Frankenstein so was easily spooked! After a group photo we all returned home.

On Guy Fawkes Night, Goodgym spun their own legend......

Once upon a time, there was a school whose drop-off and pick-up zone had become a battleground of hangry children and weary parents. The hedges loomed and the bushes bulged into the path, and every morning felt like a game of dodge-the-human.

But one parent had had enough. She rallied her merry band of GoodGymmers to tame the wild greenery and restore peace to the school run. The school gave a nod, and on a mild November Wednesday with fireworks booming all around, 13 heroes answered the call to loppers.

Among them, two new champions emerged: [Lucy] and [Julie], who dove straight in. In just thirty minutes, the path was cleared, the choppings packed away, and the gate area widened to welcome all with ease.

Of course, the obligatory photo op was had, and then, like folklore figures fading into the mist, the GoodGymmers slipped back into the night, knowing the school run was once again a smooth and noble quest.

(PS thank you Lucy for the report title!)

🦸‍♀️ Six litter-picking superheroes assembled at the community centre, ready to take on the challenge of tidying up the streets and parks of Maidenhead.

Armed with picks and hoops, we set off towards the station—a gentle stroll to warm up our eyes for the litter lurking ahead. From the station, we swooped into the High Street, scooping up mountains of cigarette butts and rogue takeaway cups.

Tony and Mike veered off down a side-street, while Sheila, Sarah, Jess, and Viv took the more direct route. Everyone found a few treasures, but the general consensus? The town centre was looking far tidier than on previous missions.

We were met with cheerful “Thank you!”s from passers-by, and even roped in a spontaneous participant for a race to a paper cup. He won—and his prize? The honour of binning it himself!

With the town centre sparkling, we ventured into Kidwells Park. Here, the litter was more plentiful, and our bags filled up fast. After an hour of heroic effort, we regrouped at the community centre to compare hauls and swap stories.

A job well done—and a wonderfully chatty, cheerful task to boot!

9 goodgym pupils made their way to St Lukes school to help tidy up the flower beds and areas around the school grounds

In no time at all we had weeded, cleared and swept up the needy areas and rescued numerous sized balls from the undergrowth

Task completed and gold stars all round we made our way back home until next time!

GoodGym control to Ranger Tom... commencing mission, here come ten (of us)!

Ranger Tom to the GG crew... here's everything from hackers to shovel, and I'm ready as well.

Off we went with Ranger Tom, to get those invasive roses gone.

Bloody hard it turned out to be, but GoodGym spirit refuse to cede. Jen wouldn't stop till she hit antipode!

Rachel & Jess found the deepest root, for a twig sized rose that was barely a foot!

Gillian and Mike hacked away, Anne-Laure wouldn't back away.

Mick wielded the mattock like a man on a mission, there's no chance for the rose invasion!

Sheila, Diya and Kanika ganged (up), their mark were roots that were tangled.

GoodGym crew to Ranger Tom, we did our best, we gave it all... Ranger Tom to GG gang, it wasn't nothing and thank you all!