It was wonderful to welcome Sam to Goodgym this morning, his first session with us. The friends of the cemetery were pleased to have us join them and we soon got to work in helping them clear the brambles, rhododendron and holly away from the graves. The section we are working on will take about three years of clearing to remove these plants and allow the grass and wild flowers to take over. The section adjacent had been done and looked beautiful. It is hard work but good to be helping and revealing the gravestones. Hope you had a nice time Sam and hope you can attend another session soon!

Sam said: "Found the experience really good, full of friendly, chatty, and easygoing people All proper equipment available on-site Made a difference to at least 2+ graves, clearing away a lot of the dense foliage, so that they can be more appropriately laid to rest Thanks to Wilson and everyone involved. God bless"

Thanks Sam!

It was a lovely eve down on the farm yesterday. Abby, Ellie, Leszek and myself went for a short run session beforehand using local roads to run to various paces.

It was our first task of the year in daylight and we got to work shifting barriers and shoveling sand to help make a new enclosure for two ponies soon to arrive on the farm.

It was a good workout and we had a great time - many hands make light work!

Many hands made light work this evening as we set about sprucing up some of the outdoor space for the respite centre at Rose Road. It was brilliant to have a real team effort after a few quiet Mondays and we almost had daylight for the whole session. Chris was the king of the lawnmower (not cans!) while the rest of the team cleared leaves, moss and weeds from the flower beds and patio area. It was great to see Leszek back again as we've missed him at our Monday night sessions. The respite garden looks almost ready for summer days outside now, but we’re hoping we get another chance before BBQ season is upon us as we spotted more weeds than we could manage in one session!

How many hours it takes to hand the tokens out (finish Tokens) and then put them all back in order (token sorter)

We were back at the farm this week with our first duty being to move lots of barriers from the top of the farm down to the bottom that had been being used for a new pond area that is being built. We were then put on path laying duty moving lots of woodchip from the car park by shovelling and wheeling. It was a fun session and definitely a good workout.

On a lovely crisp sunny Sunday I joined Friends of Peartree Green Nature Reserve in their monthly litter pick. It was definitely a real pick and mix of items we found in and around the green and nature reserve. Strange finds include a calor gas bottle, laughing gas cannisters, smashed car headlight, pram and a rather helpful shopping trolley. Still it was lovely to see the first bumblebees out searching for food and listening to the birds enjoying the start of Spring.