Wednesday 17th May 2023
WALK LEADER
BACK MARKER
Find out about GoodGym TaskForce
Report written by Amy L (she/her)
What beautiful weather for a Wednesday GoodGym session, and what a beautiful turnout! Great to welcome tourist Louise for the first time in our area, plus lots of lovely returning faces.
Thanks to Georgeta and Rachel for leading the walkers, Nicola for back-marking the runners and Gillian for helping to keep the runners on track. Well done to the cyclists too, particularly Kanika, who still made it despite a flat tyre and still had energy left to heckle me. Between us I estimate we covered over 40km!
Our destination was Oaken Grove Park, where we met task owner Rachel from Wild Maidenhead, plus some of her group and Parks Manager Jacqui. Rachel dished out tools (may the fork be with you!), gave us some safety advice and set us to work on the wildflower bed. Our aim was to dig out invasive grass to give the wildflowers a fighting chance, and to boost the mix with some more seed.
As there were plenty of us, Sara, Georgeta, Gillian and Roberta forked off into the park for some energetic litter picking and to clock some more steps.
We had a great time chatting while we worked. We covered everything from Louise's GoodGym journey, to Jacqui's running goals, Diya's brilliant Cycling Without Age plans, Tony's Pilates plans, Rachel's Tapas plans, Sara's running goals (you can do it!!!), Shindig and more!
After an hour of looking for (and digging up) lawn, some of us were looking forlorn. With such a big group, we had hoped for a spectacular before and after result, but all we could see was a slightly more patchy patch. There was a feeling of 'I fought the lawn and the lawn won'.
However, I think this one will be a case of 'watch this space'. In around 8 weeks we hope this patchy patch will be springing to life, full of colour and buzzing with happy pollinators. Can't wait!
Before we headed off into the sunset, I challenged everyone to a mini fitness session. There were jumping jacks, there were squats and lunges, there were mountain climbers or planks, and everyone did really well to know what number they were and to run in the right direction - go team!
For this evening's photos please head over to our social media accounts (and be sure to give us lots of love!) Instagram and Twitter @goodgymwm Facebook @goodgymwindsorandmaidenhead
Wild Maidenhead was formed in 2016 to take action to reverse the declines in biodiversity of habitats and species in Maidenhead and the nearby countryside and villages. https://www.wildmaidenhead.org.uk/
See moreThu 18th May 2023 at 9:13am
😆😆 good on you for calling out the heckling! Great report and even though it felt like we hardly made a difference, it was still a fun evening as always. There was another interesting topic covered - related to Rachel's need for a new phone as her current phone is only used by her and 90 year old Nan's 🤣
Thu 18th May 2023 at 11:58pm
Great photos. Lovely to meet you all; I'll definitely come back in future! 😃
Fri 19th May 2023 at 10:52am
great work! and great pics too :)
Windsor and Maidenhead
Help Braywick Heath Nursery prepare for a bumper Summer