Tony, Sue and Sheila braved the coldest morning of the season so far to go and help muck out the pond at Braywick Nature Reserve. After donning waders ( all except for Sue, whose neat little size 3 feet would have been swamped in the sizes available) and long gloves, we made our way down to the pond. We had to climb over the fence as the gate padlock was frozen, and break the ice on the pond, but Tony was straight into the water in the partially-drained pond. Together with Rangers Tom and Rosie, and members of the Parks Team, we set to work digging out sludge from the edge of the pond into buckets which were then emptied out on the edge of the area. Always being mindful of not digging into the pond liner. Tom and Tony got the pump going to lower the water level and reveal more lovely sludge. We all ended up covered in mud, but had a great time helping out, and after a hose-down back at base, made our way home for a warm-up Feeling like you've missed out? More mud-moving scheduled for next week https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/help-maintain-the-pond-in-the-braywick-nature-reserve-088520ce-95d4-4ffb-aec3-600e17c6253a

The team assembled on site, with a small group having walked together and everyone else making their own way.

We were met by Jon who showed us the stacks of bulbs for planting and instructed us to fill the areas with as many bulbs as possible and then with any left put them in the flowerbeds in the playground.

Everyone armed themselves with tools and bulbs and got to work making a whole lot of holes and bedding the bulbs in!

Although all our work was hidden below ground we hope we will be able to see the fruits of our labour in the spring!

Pun Gent!!

That was the order of the day as 5 Goodgymmers met Dave and Catherine from Friends of Oaken Grove Park to help clear more sludge from the pond.

With everyone having been before we got stuck straight in using spades and wheelbarrows to scoop the sludge from the pond.

The sludge was then moved to the edge of the park, avoiding getting it on the bike track.

The majority of Park users were pleased to see the pond getting some attention, although others found it a bit stinky!!!

With the water level in the pond clearly reduced we were pleased with our efforts but relived to head home to clean up!

Last night, Sophie and Anne Laure met at the community centre and set off for the 1.2km run to the task location whilst Jess and Jen were already en route walking. The other Goodgymmers all met at the task location of All Saints Church who mostly ran, walked or cycled to get there and we were greeted by Jo who was one of the Church volunteers and directed us on what we needed to do.

Our job was to remove ivy and bindweed from the fencings along the A4. There was a LOT and we spent an hour making it look a lot better and removing multiple bags worth into the church grounds which will be disposed of at the tip in the coming weeks. We also swept and raked to make the pavement look at clean as possible. Thank you Jess for remembering to take before and after photos!

It was a great evening with good company, thankfully only a bit of light drizzle and passers by thanked us for our efforts. Well done everyone!

5 Goodgymers met in Kidwells Park to litter pick, working in teams a social wonder around the park found all sorts of forgotten treasures. Bottles, cans, an entire magazine and many other things. After an hour in the setting sun we met back together outside the community centre to combine our efforts. From diving in the bushes to surrounding the play park, hundreds of balloons and cigarette butts were the only things we had to leave behind.

Many people using the park stopped to thank us for taking the time to clear the space, families playing cricket and playing in the children's play park all appreciated our efforts. A group from the community centre were also looking around the site and one expressed an interest in joining our team in the near future.

Lots of good spirit and time for old and new faces to enjoy the Goodgym vibes. Thank you to Jess and the team for keeping me in check and on task.