A very different sort of task for us today as we learned the skills needed to operate some powerful pieces of equipment for future tasks. Excellent Urban Green Newcastle ranger Isaac put us through our paces today to help us to understand using hedge cutters, large leaf blowers and strimmers, so that in future UGN park tasks we can help to do more. This was a really informative session with lots to learn that will really help us to make the most of our time in Newcastle green spaces in the coming months. Thank you UGN!

A big welcome to Patrick who joined us for the first time today, we really hope to see you back to help us make a difference again soon.

A blustery morning ahead of the storm was the setting of a wholesome Sunday community mission as Paul and I helped out at North Marine Junior parkrun.

Layered up and armed with flasks of tea we both took marshal roles to support a decent turnout on a day of tricky conditions. After marshalling we helped to bring signs back which as you can see Paul enjoyed using as a kite on the way back.

On a lovely Autumnal Sunday morning, we had our first We Do Tennis task at Paddy Freeman's park. We have a few more tasks with them in the coming weeks, and the main objective is to make the courts accessible and give them some Goodgym loving care.

The courts at Paddy Freeman's are surrounded by some beautiful trees, but unfortunately there are a few intrusive fauna hanging around too. So it was time to break their serve.

Aimee was already slicing away with Urban Green (who have partnered up with We Do Tennis in the maintenance of the courts in and around Newcastle) by the time the rest of the gang arrived. Anji and Paul made quick work of some overgrowth with back hand swings. With Damu making a real grass court battle.

After we made our way all around the perimeter fence, it was time to quickly clear away the colourful autumn leaves, ready for an eager new generation of tennis players who were waiting to to show off their skills. It was really good to see an immediate impact of the benefits of our morning's graft.

We finished the day off by having a quick cuppa, biscuits and cake. Game, set and match!

We spent a gloriously sunny morning getting stuck in to help Sandown Allotments with their car park transformation. Lots of muscle was required for the jobs today that included weeding, wheelbarrowing, removing weeds from tarmac and spreading woodchip. Phew! Paul, Damu and I were fresh from Windy Nook parkrun where Paul took an impressive first place while Lucy and Catriona had been to Saltwell park on the way too so we were definitely suitably warmed up for this workout.

It was fab to have a large group out helping for this one including new (to us!) member Catriona we loved having you as part of the family today! We had a number of people from the allotment express their gratitude for our help with the transformation, and got bonus points for helping to return the equipment and crack the code of a very stubborn lock.

All in a day's work!

North Marine Park in South Shields is in full bloom and so was the junior parkrun this morning with another fabulous turn out.

Paul and I helped out at two marshal points, cheering on the mini runners and walkers around the 2k course. A lovely way to start Sunday.