Today's task involved a lot of raking. The graves were being cleared ready for the memorial weekend in November.

We raked and and filled bags, Chris emptied the bags on the compost, bought them back and we raked and filled them up again... On repeat in the sunshine for a good 2 hour workout.

We were rewarded with a lovely brew and a biscuit at the end 😊

We had a lovely time this morning helping Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery on their monthly conservation task.

Four of us were tasked with completely restoring one of the old tombs, stripping back ivy and overgrowth and brambles.

It was hard work. Chris went to war on the ivy and won - and Hannah had a run in with a spider (now determined as a garden spider thanks to Graces ID skills!)

We managed to restore the tomb to such a degree that we revealed the old stone work. It was very satisfying and we had a fab time.

Judy Knapp and Stephanie Longy went to join the monthly session with Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery. We were set to work with pitchforks and rakes to clear up all the piles of cutting left by the cutting team. A great all body workout filling lots of large sacks all in the company of the local Robin and other very friendly volunteers. Luckily the beautiful mature trees sheltered us during a sharp shower. Then sun came out again to prove that it is July and supposed to be summer. We were made very welcome by the FOSOC team with tea/ coffee and biscuits afterwards in the old chapel. We hope to be back again in August to help out on their next session. A great two hours in a beautiful location.

Judy had discovered a potential GoodGym task so asked me along to test the waters! Our task for the morning was to rake up all the grass cuttings along the freshly mown paths. On Sunday the Friends are leading a walk entitled "Grizzly" it is a tour of the graves upon which something grizzly has happened to the people buried there. Our job was to help in making sure the paths were cleared for the tour/talk.