After heavy rain Thursday, the sky cleared for long enough Friday morning for two Goodgymmers to scythe more of the long grass under the orchard at Saffron Acre community allotment. Jimmy and Nick soon assembled their scythes and cleared another big area. The rain had brought down more windfall apples, and along with tomatoes, plums, onions and a small pumpkin we left with a good selection of fruit and veg.

The heatwave is over, and some overnight rain had dampened the grass, but four Goodgymmers went to Saffron Acres Community Allotment to mow the grass under the orchard with scythes. Jimmy has cycled to a few of their scythe sessions before, Nick had tried it last week, Gillian didn't actually scythe last week so was talked through setup of the tools and techniques for mowing. And Ian walked a couple of miles from home for his first visit to the allotment. We each mowed a different patch of long grass around the fruit trees, creating good piles of hay as we went. Another lovely morning spent in good company.

On a very hot morning, two Goodgymmers went to help at the Saffron Acres Community Allotment. Nick had arrived early to meet the scything group and learn how to assemble a scythe, by which time Gillian had arrived. Along with a couple of regular scything volunteers we cut the long, very dry, grass under the fruit trees of the orchard. The trees made some very welcome shade. The hay was raked up into piles leaving the ground clear for collecting the windfall fruit. it was great to use traditional tools and methods in the tranquil allotment, rather than a modern petrol strimmer.

Nick joined some other volunteers at Saffron Acreas to help weed to huge polytunnel full of sweet potato vines and helped water the other big polytunnel that Goodgym have previously helped with. A sociable task with other volunteers helping a hand and he enjoyed a trip to the local garden centre afterwards for a well earned plant purchase, well done Nick!

Saffron Acres

Not even the rain could stop this brilliant bunch from getting stuck in at Saffron Acres today! Armed with gloves, loppers, and determination, half of us took on the tangled brambles and helped clear the way for the community space, the other half chopped the brambles ready for composting.

A big shoutout to Dave for keeping his word and sorting out the broken tap on the water butt, Saffron really appreciated it. Great job, Dave!

Also for Mo, who’s just completed his third good deed, clocking in an impressive 9km run. Keep up the efforts Mo!

As a well earned reward, we did a bit of foraging and came away with some tasty autumn treats 🍎🍏 nature’s way of saying thanks.

Weldone everyone we really made a difference yet again and the rain didn't stop play.