Anna and Sheila went to the community allotment today in some warm conditions. While we filled the water butts with the hose, we did all the watering using watering cans. We were joined by another volunteer Jessica and her daughter. Anna and Jessica took on the task of training the squashes away from strangling the tomatoes while Sheila pinched out the tomato side shoots. We left all the water butts full, ready for watering in the coming week

Nine keen good gymers arrived at Norden Farm on a mission to create a local beach for the summer holidays. Tonnes of sand were emptied using shovels, spades and hands. Teamwork made light work of the task and bags were emptied in record time! After some efficient raking the beach was covered by large plastic sheets to protect it from a cat's playground. Hopefully the giant sandpit will provide hours of digging fun for the summer play-scheme.

Sessions at Braywick Heath Nurseries are back after a Winter break. The warmer weather means that some of the plants will soon be able to go to the outside sales area. Meanwhile many weeds had taken up residence in the shingles. Anna and Sheila took on the task of removing the pesky plants to make the area look more presentable. Five bags of weeds later, including a couple of run-ins with some nettles, the area had been cleared and looked much tidier. We were pleased with what we had been able to achieve in a couple of hours

We had sun and rain at Ray Mill Island today, but we were not deterred as we set about our tasks. Sheila and Anna shovelled some compost and barrowed it back to the compound. Anna went to take cuttings of some shrubs around the Island, and brought them back to pot up. Amy felt like getting physical and took on digging out the hibiscus plants so they could be transferred elsewhere. Not an easy task! The roots were all tangled up with nettle roots and chicken wire which had been used to line the area for a previous use. And they were next to a fence, so limiting access. With true GoodGym grit and determination, Amy gave it her all, and was joined by Sheila. Once the hibiscus was loose enough to give a good wobble, Amy employed the Butt technique, and the hibiscus gave up the fight and was out of the ground! We heeled it in to a temporary spot and left the rain to water it in. Amy then had to leave, but spurred on by the success, Sheila and 2 other volunteers tacked the second plant, and employing the same technique, managed to dig that one out too! Way to Go! We all went home muddy but satisfied with our progress

Six GoodGymers got together at Ray Mill Island to tackle a variety of tasks. While Mick moved some rocks around to edge the path, everyone else started weeding the heliotrope from the rockery. Once the wheelbarrow was free, Jen and Sheila went to get some compost to fill the GoodGym planters. Anna and Mick dug out some old hedging plants while Anne-Laure and Christine heroically continued with the weeding. Lastly a hawthorn tree was carefully dug out and transplanted to the nursery area. Well done to everyone