After all the festivities at the Rose Road Association Christmas Fair it was time for a big tidy up! We set to work sorting out the bottle tombola, locating parts of elf costumes, tidying refreshments away and sorting through donations. We even started sorting things out that Santa might like to use for next year’s grotto presents. We had just enough time left over for a group shot with scary Santa. We won’t look forward to seeing him again next year!

This evening we gave the hedge a good trim, sifted soil ready for seedlings and turned one of the compost bays 😊

We are like a well oiled machine when it comes to cleaning vehicles now! Abby set to work instructing the team on the perfect steps for required for cleaning. Is it just water then water and soap or water and soap and then just water?! I don’t know but I know you need to shimmy shammy to get it sparkling! Well done team - I think that might be a record of 5 vehicles cleaned inside and out in one hour. You can all have a winter break from car washing now…probably!

Ten brilliant volunteers turned up at Aldermoor this evening ready to tackle nature head-on—and tackle they did! Finn, Laura, and Derek gave the entrance hedge a sharp new look, while Sarah, Amanda, Beck, and Ronna took on the wild willow by the pond, cutting it back and hauling the branches to the chipper like absolute pros. Meanwhile, Ellie and Anna (with a cameo from Wilson) took on the compost bay transfer— never did we think the whole bay could be done, but Ellie and co were determined and they powered through until the task was complete! Laura and Amanda also got stuck into tearing cardboard for future composting. It was fantastic to see Anna, Beck, and Ronna back for round two, and even better to wrap up with a sliver of daylight—possibly our last light-filled task of the season! Great job everyone!