A very different sort of task for us today as we learned the skills needed to operate some powerful pieces of equipment for future tasks. Excellent Urban Green Newcastle ranger Isaac put us through our paces today to help us to understand using hedge cutters, large leaf blowers and strimmers, so that in future UGN park tasks we can help to do more. This was a really informative session with lots to learn that will really help us to make the most of our time in Newcastle green spaces in the coming months. Thank you UGN!

A big welcome to Patrick who joined us for the first time today, we really hope to see you back to help us make a difference again soon.

On a calm Sunday morning in Mowbray Park, four GoodGymers voluteered at junior parkrun.

Circumstances were a little unusual due to Sunderland's Festival of Light being set up in the park, with some fairground rides and food stalls present. Unfortunately some Saturday night attendees had littered the park, but Paula came to the rescue armed with a litter picker to clear up as much of the mess up as possible.

Richard, Tanya and Debbie also enjoyed a successful morning of volunteering, as well as a long chat over a cup of tea afterwards.