We were back at the Weller Centre for probably our last outdoor task of the year without needing headtorches before we'd finished!

There was hedge trimming to be done and shredding of the already cut bags of branches to get through. We started by dragging the deceptively heavy bags around the building, where Shirley donned safety gear and got to work on the shredder. Jenni and Chris, joined by taskowner Katie, worked on the hedge. With the extra long loppers we were able to get some of the high bits, and make the hedge neater.

With the light fading, we piled our trimmings, put the tools back in the well organised shed, and admired Shirley's work reducing a whole bag of cuttings to a small pile of fine shreds.

Next week, we're back over in Reading town centre for some litter picking, sign up to join us here

On Monday, four GoodGymers went to help out at the Food4Families allotment. Armed with enthusiasm, gloves and a few garden tools, we got straight to the root of the problem.

We weeded the beds so the tomatoes and beans can grow without competition, gave the plants a good drink to keep them from feeling wilted, and even pumped up the water supply.

The local insects also decided to join in, leaving us with more than a few itchy “souvenirs” to remember the session by. You could say they really bit into the task with us.

By the end, the plot was looking fresher, without all the marestail and other weeds the plants were happier. So despite the bug buffet, we left feeling like we’d really sown some seeds of goodness.

With news coming in that there had been damage to the community garden at the Weller Centre over the weekend, we were prepared for the worst... but thankfully, while there had been some of the fruit and veg damaged, overall the garden was OK!

There was still plenty for us to do, and we all set to work. Holly went on the hunt for litter, Chris got to work shredding the branches that had been cut down by other volunteers, Jenni started to move the compost piles and Shirley emptied the shed to get it reorganised, which turned out to be a big job!

With all the litter gathered, and the muscles aching from soil turning, Holly and Jenni helped Shirley (along with Katie and Penny!) get everything sorted to go back into the shed. Organised, stacked and much easier to get to!

Chris' shredding job had been complete too and there was then even space in the shed for the tool - borrowed from the excellent 'Library of Things' - to be tucked away too. Job done!

We'll be back at the Community Garden again in a few weeks for more!

This evening we were joined by Charlie for her first GoodGym session, and she'd even run from home to join us! Superstar! Nick had come with his own litter picker as well, which meant we could all get stuck in.

And we certainly had a lot to do! On our last visit to the Kennet, we went for a lovely long stroll and collected very little, but this week, there was loads! We only made it a few hundred metres down the path before having to drop off two full bags and get started on some more!

Nick made the interesting discovery of several parking tickets... hopefully no extra fines going to anyone! A shame they weren't giving out fines for litter though, with 8 bags full we decided to call it a night and head our separate ways for the night.