We had sun and rain at Ray Mill Island today, but we were not deterred as we set about our tasks. Sheila and Anna shovelled some compost and barrowed it back to the compound. Anna went to take cuttings of some shrubs around the Island, and brought them back to pot up. Amy felt like getting physical and took on digging out the hibiscus plants so they could be transferred elsewhere. Not an easy task! The roots were all tangled up with nettle roots and chicken wire which had been used to line the area for a previous use. And they were next to a fence, so limiting access. With true GoodGym grit and determination, Amy gave it her all, and was joined by Sheila. Once the hibiscus was loose enough to give a good wobble, Amy employed the Butt technique, and the hibiscus gave up the fight and was out of the ground! We heeled it in to a temporary spot and left the rain to water it in. Amy then had to leave, but spurred on by the success, Sheila and 2 other volunteers tacked the second plant, and employing the same technique, managed to dig that one out too! Way to Go! We all went home muddy but satisfied with our progress

Six GoodGymers got together at Ray Mill Island to tackle a variety of tasks. While Mick moved some rocks around to edge the path, everyone else started weeding the heliotrope from the rockery. Once the wheelbarrow was free, Jen and Sheila went to get some compost to fill the GoodGym planters. Anna and Mick dug out some old hedging plants while Anne-Laure and Christine heroically continued with the weeding. Lastly a hawthorn tree was carefully dug out and transplanted to the nursery area. Well done to everyone

In the first session of the year, Mick and Sheila joined Friends of Ray Mill Island on a very chilly afternoon. Sheila potted up a large number of Crocosmia corms which had been donated by a neighbour, and using our own compost gathered from the path clearance.Mick brought his woodworking skills to the fore, helping to convert pallets into benches that will be used as work benches and for growing plants. Excellent job!

On a freezing afternoon, Rachel, Carys and Sheila gathered at Ray Mill Island. Despite the Friends of Ray Mill Island deciding not to meet formally, we decided to go ahead anyway as we had psyched ourselves up for a session. We worked on the continuing task of ridding the beds of the invasive heliotrope, and managed to find a patch of winter sunshine in which to work. In places the ground was frozen, but we managed to dig out a wheelbarrow- full of plants and Rachel learned more than she ever wanted to know about the local netball league! Well done to everyone for turning out on such a cold day and getting the January challenge off to a flying start

Today’s adventure with the Friends of Ray Mill Island was less “gym” and more “DIY Olympics.”

• 🚗 Cardboard chauffeur duties: We liberated a car stuffed with cardboard and wood, proving that sometimes the toughest workout is just unloading.
  
• 🛖 Shelter building (spectator sport): A collapsible shelter sprang up thanks to others’ handiwork—my role was more “cheer squad” than “construction crew.”
  
• 🌱 Groundwork genius: We laid cardboard across the nursery ground, giving weeds their eviction notice and future plants a fighting chance.
  
• 🪵 Wood whispering: Sanding timber for tree signs—because even trees deserve a bit of spa treatment before getting their nameplates.
  
• 🎨 Painting (artistic abstention): Brushes were wielded, but not by me. I left the creative flair to the painters.
  
• 🔨 De‑nailing duty: Nails and screws were prised out of old wood, recycling it into two shiny new workbenches for the nursery. Who knew carpentry could feel like treasure hunting?
  

What a fantastic turnout at Ray Mill Island (RMI) today. 6 Goodgymers joined 11 Friends of RMI volunteers and tackled a range of jobs.

One group, including Carys, set off to identify trees and paint signs to identify them, whilst Mick continued his work on the mid path, moving the stones into place. Whilst Sheila and Christine started out weeding the rockery, Ed fixed a new sign to the mural and then joined Jen and the rest of the group with weeding the proposed nursery area.

By the end everyone was helping in the nursery area, apart from Mick who continued flexing his muscles moving the rocks around.

The two hours flew by with lots of progress made.