Maëlys joined us for her first Group Run this evening after a visit to Baffins Pond last weekend. Maëlys is just visiting Portsmouth for a holiday, so we are super grateful she chose to spend some of her break helping out!

Our main topic of conversation this evening was cricket. We found out that Ranjitha's husband plays for Portsmouth and that several of us have been enjoying The Hundred over the last couple of weeks. We were even joined by a cricket (or perhaps a grasshopper) whilst we worked, who was particularly fond of Judy!

I'm quite gutted we didn't get a "before" photo, because the difference we made to the weedy and leafy paths was huge! Lots of effort was put in to pulling weeds, sweeping brickwork and even sawing down an ivy and bramble infested stump. Barbara was once again very please with our work - well done, everyone!

Superb efforts from everyone who took part in litter picks across Portsmouth and beyond today!

Mel and Vicki kicked things off nice and early with a pick at Alexandra Park, although Jane was actually first in with her pick last night! Julie received plenty of praise from passers by as she cleaned up by Lidl. Laura and her dog, Woody, completed an early morning beach clean. It seems Woody was disappointed he didn't find any snacks, only food wrappers!

We've had a trolley retrieved from the chalk cliffs of Paulsgrove by Lucy and Duncan, a beach clean in Bracklesham with an accompanying sea dip for Judy and Val and a whopping 16 mile run with a cemetery litter pick by Andy!

Nia and baby Zoe headed to Southampton Common for their pick, whilst Dave and I took a stroll through Sherwood Forest to burn off a very unnecessary sundae!

Ness and Sinéad focused on the shoreline for their picks at Fort Cumberland and Langstone Harbour respectively.

We'll be back to normal next week with a visit to the You Trust in North End for some painting and decorating. Hopefully see you in person then!

It was good to work in the shade of the Nore Barn Woods, on a sweltering hot day. We cleared brambles and nettles that were encroaching on the paths.

We finished at 11am to hold the AGM of the Friends of Nore Barn Woods, with drinks and refreshments following the formal business.

A lovely chatty task, with many hands making light work.

It was a very warm evening, with a lot of hard graft - I hope everyone enjoyed their currys as part of their recovery!

After a slightly BadGym run, (Dave wielding spades certainly looked a bit sus!)we arrived at the Hub and got stuck in to breaking up some very dry soil, then shoveling it into smaller bags to be carried to an accessible exit for PCC to collect. Danger Dave, Lucy, Andy and Katie took turns shoveling and carrying. There was even a race with rubble, and a certain amount of cheating was definitely noted!

Judy and Val did a sterling job picking up litter and finding a decent number of lost toys too!

We even had time for a hula-hoop competition before we headed off - congratulations to Lucy and Katie for their winning efforts!