On a dark and blustery evening we were delighted to get together at the pub for a social and some Christmas crafting for CAMHS. Christmas for CAMHS is a project spreading some Christmas cheer for children and young people with mental health needs. The task was to create 50 paper chains with specified jokes on ready for the children and young people to enjoy. Fortunately Amanda and Stephanie raided the craft shops before they arrived so we had plenty of choice for our paper chains. Amanda and Stephanie set out carefully measuring the paper chains to size while Abby got to work chopping them up. Meanwhile I was entrusted with writing the jokes out because of my neat handwriting! It wasn't long before we had 100 paper chains and all hands on deck were required to complete writing out the jokes. A lovely evening and we hope those that receive our paper chains enjoy...and don't look too closely at the one wonky one!

A small group of goodgymers came together this evening to help clear an extremely overgrown planter in a local retirement complex.

We have started off by hacking back as much of the brambles on the bottom corner as possible trying to expose as much as we can before we eventually start digging into and removing root structures so wildflowers can be planted.

It was a nice chatty session with lots of thorns to battle but we look forward to coming back soon.

Writing to help support this wonderful movement of helping to tidy up the overgrown planters in nearby neighbourhood. Chris was wonderfully slashing and snipping, motivating me to join in with the eviction of unwanted plants alongside a productive team of GGers. Rosemary galore was collected and some felt like making bread or even roasting lamb. Sadly some original plants were damaged in the session of the ‘slash and burn’ and we hope they forgive this unfortunate error. The new opportunity of growth and natural light may provide them with a new lease of life.

We missed not seeing our fellow GG'er Hannah this evening, but her absence meant that there was some exciting news! Our first little GG baby has arrived - Congratulations Hannah, we look forward to meeting little Orla (AKA Wilson Junior) soon!

We also had some singing to do for Sarah's big birthday - Happy Birthday Sarah! Flowers beautifully presented by Ellie...presumably with the hand that hadnt been stabbed by a cocktail stick....twice.

It was lovely to meet Emily and we look forward to returning in two weeks time!

We returned this evening to the alley in lordshill we litter picked back in April. The area is notorious for gathering large amounts of litter and we are keen to return regularly to keep on top of it.

Chris was the can man - the man who can! Designated can hero extraordinaire who rescued many a can which will go to help the air ambulance.

The rest of us were on general litter pick duties and quickly gathered four very full bags of litter. Last time we attended we had around 7/8 full bags and it took much longer - we see this as a positive that the litter hadnt built up as much over this period of time.

We ended the session with a shoe flinging olympics after finding some shoes which had seen better days. Ellie and my attempts were not wonderful, Amanda and Sarah put in much stronger efforts but Chris came out champion.

It was productive and great fun and we hope that next time we return the litter has reduced even more.