It was great to welcome Denise for another GoodGym community mission and to catch up with Ana and Vanessa for the first time this year. As we gathered at Cooley's Meadow we were cheerful but far from cool. The sun was beating down and we had worked up a sweat on our journeys to the task. Kudos in particular to Ana and Vanessa for cycling from Maidenhead!

Cooley's Meadow is a nature reserve, owned by the borough but maintained by our task owner Claire Taylor and other volunteers from Wild Eton Wick including Andrew and Laura, who also joined us today. Credit to Claire and the (finally sunny) May weather, this lovely open space was looking gorgeously green and dotted with colourful wildflowers. We all felt lucky to have a reason to be there.

Claire checked we all had suncream and then briefed us on our job for the afternoon: to work our way along the hedge removing plastic covers from the trees planted a few years ago. If the tree was alive we could also remove the stake, giving the tree space and a chance to stand tall on its own. If the tree was dead we should leave the stake to mark the spot so a new tree can be planted there in the Autumn.

We got into a good rhythm and cleared bag after bag of plastic covers and armfuls of stakes. Happy to say we found most of the trees were doing well. Where there was the odd patch of dead saplings Claire explained that it was likely due to that particular species not loving the soil conditions. Claire and the RBWM Countryside Manager Jason Mills are recording which species are struggling so that different species can be trialled next time.

We came to a natural finish after about an hour as the brambles, nettles and heat all got higher and became too much to battle. Still, we felt satisfied we had made a difference and had a decent workout too. Well done team!

After collecting hoops and pickers from Amy's doorstep and litter picking en route to Grenfell Park, Sophie met with Kelley, Vanessa, Juli and Nick on a beautiful sunny morning, welcoming Nick for his very first good deed after meeting him (virtually) on the GG birthday quiz back in Feb. We spread out and attacked the park and surrounding roads collecting 5 huge bags. Most memorable items included a carpet, boot, debit card and a dog toy, but also lots and lots of cans, bottles, masks and cigarettes. Well done everyone!

3 Goodgym-ers offered a helping hand to help repaint at the Craft Coop.

This evening, three runners met to help out at the local Craft Coop. This store, situated in Maidenhead town centre, hosts an array of unique and handmade products, designed by local artists in Maidenhead and the surrounding area.

Goodgymers Amy, Vanessa and Allora took time out of their schedules and met to offer a hand to repaint a series of panels on the back wall of the Maidenhead store. The small area used to host an array of tools, used to allow people to get involved and design in store. However, due to the current global circumstances, the area is being repurposed to shelve some of the brand new winter themed items, just in time for the Christmas season. The back wall was painted over, from a dusty pink to white, to fit with this Christmas theme.

The first coat was applied in rapid time, with plans to re-attend in the near future to finish off the four back panels. Keep an eye out for this listing shortly.