Welfare visit for Mrs D

Sol, Georgeta and Sheila joined taskowner Sue at the Community Allotment. Not surprisingly lots of watering was required, which Georgeta and Sheila took on, whilst setting the hose to fill up the water butts. Meanwhile Sol took on the heroic task of emptying the bags of horse manure into the manure bay. The hot weather meant they were extremely stinky! Sol and Sue then planted some tomatoes in soil and some more-mature manure, and followed up with planting some spare raspberry canes. A good evening's work!

This was our second visit to help Mrs M with tidying up her garden. Last time we worked in the back garden, this time we tackled the side and front garden. We removed the dead plants from the pots, the weeds growing on and around the paved area and then worked on the side border, which was looking really good, with the roses in full bloom. Sheila expertly cut them back and we removed some weeds and other invading plants. Mrs M was very pleased with her tidy front garden and she is now looking forward to welcoming her family for Diwali.

Sue, Maggie and Sheila joined taskowner Karen at Spital Cemetery on a very hot morning. We started to tackle a huge mound of ivy and bindweed to try to discover what was beneath. Gradually the stonework underneath started to be revealed - a cross and a tall obelisk, both of which are now lying prostrate. More work will be required to remove many years of tangled growth, but we've made a great start

Six GoodGymmers made their way through the sunshine to meet task owner Angela at the Eco Action Hub.

With the Nicholson Centre due for demolition, all its occupants have just a week and a half to clear out. We’ve already been helping several charities with their moves — and tonight it was the Eco Action Hub’s turn.

The upstairs area was packed with furniture, boxes and all sorts of upcycling treasures that needed shifting downstairs for various groups to collect. Angela started us off with items for Wild Maidenhead, (a gazebo, boxes of leaflets and posters) plus a rack of folding chairs. “I’m sure that will be enough,” she said.

Little did she know about GoodGym efficiency… or the fact that we were already glowing from the heat.

Those first items were whisked downstairs in no time, so we moved straight on to everything else. Tables, branches, bamboo, blankets, more chairs and even more tables. In the warm evening air we scurried up and down the stairs like determined (and increasingly sweaty) ants, lifting, shifting and stacking.

Despite the heat, the teamwork was brilliant, and before long the upstairs was cleared and the ground floor neatly piled with items ready for collection.

Another hot and hardworking mission done — and more to come.

Sarah and Sheila took on watering at the allotment on the hottest day of the year so far. We filled the water butts, whilst filling our watering cans and giving all those thirsty fruit and veg a good old drink