The Ludlow Infant School Summer Fayre was great fun, with Wilson on the basketball stall, Sarah helping children fish through slime to find hidden shapes, Leszek running the hunt for the special lollipop, and Joana bringing the excitement at Spin the Wheel.

Joana also managed the sporting moment of the event, casually throwing a basketball backwards and netting it!

I think we were all "relieved" at not being given the "job" of running "Get the Poo in the Loo" game.

Nine of us headed to Aldermoor Farm yesterday, with a surprise addition to the team! Beth, who we normally help out at Rose Road, decided to join us as a GoodGym member! It took Wilson a moment to work out why she was standing at Aldermoor Farm rather than Rose Road - doesnt take much to confuse.

Our main task was tackling the notoriously overgrown hedge. We've cut it back many times before, but this time it had really got out of hand. Six members of the team attacked it from both sides and did an incredible job, although I suspect there are a few aching arms today after such a serious workout.

Meanwhile, Beth joined Sarah on the onion bed for some much-needed weeding, carefully untangling the ever-persistent bindweed.

Wilson also got stuck in, cutting back several other overgrown bushes by the pond.

By the end of the session, we could take a group photo by the hedge which wouldn't have been possible before we started!

Epic work team - thankyou

This evening’s GoodGym task was a really special one, as we celebrated our 3rd birthday back at Aldermoor Farm, the very place where GoodGym Southampton began three years ago! Before we even lifted a tool, Ellie was busy dishing out birthday headwear. Bunny ears, birthday hats, tiaras and even a chicken were among the options, all enthusiastically (?) worn by the group. We paused for a group photo holding a birthday banner, making it clear from the outset that this was a special evening for us all.

We had a fantastic turnout and a real mix of GoodGymers, which made the evening even more meaningful. It was lovely to see Hannah, Lauren and Derek, who we hadn’t seen for a while and also to have people who have only started their GoodGym journey this year with us, alongside members who have been with us right from the beginning — a brilliant reminder of how welcoming and supportive GoodGym is. We also welcomed Jason from GoodGym Leeds, who happened to be visiting Southampton and decided to enjoy a spot of GoodGym tourism while he was here.

We had been set a task to cut back the big hedges which had become very overgrown, along with removing the sycamores, pruning the willow, cutting back plants to widen the paths and litter‑picking outside the farm. Just as we had started, we were joined by a journalist from the Daily Echo, who had come along to find out more about what GoodGym is all about. Wilson and Ellie both happily chatted away about how wonderful GoodGym Southampton is, while other members shared their own GoodGym journeys and what being part of the group means to them.

The task was completed and the area we had cut backed looked much better. Then to make the celebration complete, Ellie treated us all to cake. It was a perfect way to end a brilliant evening.

I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last three years. We really are a wonderful team of beautiful people, all happy to give back and support the community around us. Fingers crossed that when we make the front page, that message comes across loud and clear (though not sure the wacky headwear will help - just glad i wasn't a chicken 🐔)