It was back to school for us on Wednesday evening; giving the garden plot at St Nicholas ' Primary School a very thorough weed ahead of the gardening club getting started again next week.

A couple of years ago we uncovered the garden and polytunnel from beneath a lockdown's worth of weeds, so it was great to see that raised beds had been built and some gardening done. However, with no-one around during the school summer holidays the weeds had taken hold, so there was plenty of digging, lopping and pruning to be done.

A dozen GoodGymers made speedy progress, filling the compost bays, loading the skip (to cover the skeleton, or not to cover the skeleton? That is the question.), and enduring a few nettle stings and bramble scratches along the way. If nettle stings really do protect you from arthritis I think we must all be fully immune now.

Congratulations on your 50th Good Deeds Steve and Andy, and to Katie for reaching an epic 150 Good Deeds!

Today we made our long-awaited return to Barracks Lane Community Garden. A gorgeous oasis at the end of the Cowley Road, it is a community space which hosts a forest school, refugee projects, yoga classes, a monthly open day and much much more.

This evening they needed some heavy jobs doing as well as the usual weeding, watering and tidying.

After an introduction from Jane we split into groups and flexed our muscles moving a tonne bag of soil, using Stig's "Symphony of Wheels" (a buggy frame, sack trolly and some wood on wheels) to move some hefty patio slabs ready for a new shed. We also helped lay said slabs - who knew that jumpikg was the best way to level a patio?!?

After a well earned drink and snack - delicious melon and the queen of biscuits, the Jammy Dodger, a group of us headed off for a run.

On a planned route guys, a planned route!!!

Welcome to Goodgym Marcus it was lush to meet you!

This evening we returned to Oxsrad! This time no painting was done - the reception area is looking SPLENDID, if we do say so ourselves.....

Today we were based outside clearing and widening some of their pathways which were becoming rather weedy and therefore not particularly safe for wheelchair users.

After an hour and a bit and some inventive tool use - (who knew tent pegs were so good for removing pesky weed roots?!?) we left the area looking much neater and clearer.

Well done team!! And thanks for the company on the run!

This evening we returned to the Warneford Hospital site to flashmob some of their flower beds.

The flower beds in the aptly named Meadow ward had got quite over-grown and needed a good weed, a food water and some general TLC.

After crowning Ellie for achieving her 100th Good deed and enjoying some Celebrations, we set to work.

Thistles, lots of grass and some pesky dandelions were removed, a wild patch preserved to protect a hedgehog house, and the best Celebration thoroughly debated. I'm team Bounty - possibly in the 1% minority of the population!

Watering cans were emptied and woodchip spread to hopefully ensure that the beds stay happy!

Good work team.

Double points if you can name the musical reference in the title.....,

Yes I do indeed know a smattering of Shakespeare!

Academic boasts aside, tonight was a lovely task. The chilly wind that had been whipping around Oxford earlier died down just in time for our quintet of Goodgymers to do some gardening.

When we arrived at the Warneford site, Laura the gardener for the area, gave us a couple of options for tasks. We plumped for clearing, pruning and reviving some rose bushes around one of the entrances.

The roses had got rather choked by weeds and brambles and also just needed a good trim and tidy - a springtime haircut if you will! We all set to work and in true Goodgym style managed to blitz a large area and create a large compost pile. What we didn't get to this time hopefully we'll manage to finish off on our next visit in a few weeks.

Post task a few of us headed off for a run, chatting about parkrun tourism, and rewarded ourselves with a go on the zip wire in Southpark for managing to slog up the big hill!