Well it HAD to be a Bonnie themed title didn't it?!?

On this historic evening we gathered at Magdalene wood - a beautiful patch of woodland but also a notorious litter grot-spot. Serving as a cut through between 2 areas it gets very mucky very often.

This evening was no exception. We found some massive areas of litter - the usual cans, bottles and fast good wrappers but also an area where some cats have been being fed (Anwen would approve, though not of the litter) and a huge stash of nitrous oxide cannisters.

We cleared up for an hour, filling 11 MASSIVE bags and reported everything into the council for collection. Amusingly Jacqui was asked if she was on community service......!!

We then headed out of the wood and with Henry's pin hole set up we managed to safely watch the eclipse! A pretty fascinating experience. The light really did go very strange and gloomy.

Thank you team for coming out in the hot hot heat!!

This evening we returned to the magical space that is Marston Forest Garden. We were greeted by Isobel who gave a pitted history of the site for our newbies and outlined the tasks. The name of the game today was gentle movement. Gardening in 30 degree heat and all that!!

We split into 3 groups. One tackled brambles in the herb circle, one hoiked out armfuls of Michaelmas Daisies from around some rayher drought-stricken raspberries, and Joel and Muireann chopped and sieved compost ready for use!

Watermelon from Isobel was a welcome and refreshing addition to the task!

We'll be back here for a weekend session on 9th August so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Welcome to David and Matthew. Thank you for joining us this evening!

I've found a cool grasshopper, would you like to see it?

When an honourary Googymer with gappy teeth and a fruit patterned bucket hat (Sebby aged 6) asks this the answer is ALWAYS yes.

This evening we weeded the wall at Iffley Glebe to try to keep it going a little longer, protecting the gorgeous meadow within. The meadow was freshly cut so we tackled the wall, some pesky self-seeded sycamore trees and cut back some over enthusiastic nettles.

Hannah from the Oxford Preservation Society kept us hydrated and the views and sunshine were gorgeous.

Well done team!

This evening, we returned to Meadow Lane playground to continue our support for the NaturEscape transformation project. We split into two teams to tackle the next tasks. The first team worked on clearing the mesh fencing with bolt cutters, enjoying the satisfaction of completing a job we started last time! By cutting back the fencing and clearing overgrown foliage, the play space has been opened up, allowing children to run freely between the trees. The second team transferred woodchip from below a defunct zip line to a log circle, instantly making the area look more magical and inviting. We learnt that the technique for clearing the woodchip was to ‘scrape not dig’’! We scraped up the woodchip and transported it back and forth in a wheelbarrow. Joe provided some great tips, including to always point your empty wheelbarrow in the direction you’ll travel once it’s full, saving you from maneuvering a heavy load! We were pleased to have Chris back with us, and to warmly welcome Rab for their first session!

*What do you do when the Met Office suggests a 95% chance of rain and you have a litter pick and outdoor pizza planned? *Answer: a speed litter-sweep, quick dip in the Thames (ok, that was only the spaniel) and head off in search of pizza under a roof.

Port meadow was surprisingly clean given our recent sunny spell (well done, Oxford!) but eagle Goodgym eyes still managed to retrieve a small haul of bottle tops, cigarette butts, miscellaneous pieces of plastic, a dirty sock and what looked like a false finger nail. Every little helps and hopefully a small but worthwhile contribution to keeping Port Meadow a beautiful place to relax on a nice summer's day. And we did get our pizza.

Welcome to Goodgym Alice!!