Last night, eight GoodGymers returned to Portswood Road for another productive litter‑picking session along the pavement. The team pulled rubbish from the bushes and around the newly planted tree saplings — perfect timing before the leafage grows and hides everything away. By the end of the task, the group had filled six bags of general litter and one bag of crushed cans. It was great to welcome two new members, Laura and Zi, who threw themselves into the task with great enthusiasm — hopefully we’ll see them again soon! There is still plenty more litter in the opposite direction, so a third visit is definitely on the cards.

Never have we ever seen sooooooooo many cans littered in one place - i think people have been sitting on the bench for years, having a drink or two and lobbing each empty can over the wall!

Ellie and Wilson hopped over the wall and starting lobbing them back again (Ellie had some good bush restraining techniques to allow easy access to the cans) This was much to Abby and Chris's delight - on the receiving end.... all they had to do was stomp on them and put them in a bin bag - sounds easy but there were 100's of them and they stank and were amongst other litter also being lobbed back over.

Jo joined us once she’d found the spot, and Ashleigh put in a few hill climbs on her bike before locating us. The extra hands were very welcome, as the bushes along the pavement also needed litter‑picking — as well as more can‑stomping. Chris had to mind his “dancing knees” and save enough energy to help haul Ellie back over the wall (it wasn’t that high, in fairness!). After an hour, we had collected five bags of cans and the same again in general litter. Ellie kindly (and perhaps a little crazily) offered to take the cans, as they’ll be donated to the Air Ambulance charity.

We were rewarded at the end with Cakey, in celebration of Abby’s birthday. 🍰

A wonderful, warm and sunny session with the fabulous Jill and volunteers at Woolston Station Garden. Chris, Steph and Mel were weeding and hoeing the bed along with Sophie and Nicola two local volunteers under the guidance of Patricia. Nicola was diligently sifting the homemade compost ready for us to scatter over the bed. Chris had a lovely last task to trim the buddleia as he does enjoy cutting back. A great hours work and we will be back later this month for another session.

I helped Andy move a bed and a sofa to make space for a hospital bed due to be installed in the living room, as his elderly mother is returning from hospital.

Great to welcome Grace to their first session this evening. Sorry we were not toadly successful! We also had Lucy and Duncan join us all the way from Portsmouth for their first toad patrol. We were optimistic despite the lack of rain, but also went ready for litter picking as expected a quiet night. A lot of the toads seem to have moved back to the woods already so the season is almost over for patrolling. We didn't spot any live toads, but found one dead one. We managed to collect one whole bag of recycling, one of other litter, and a few glass bottles too. I got very excited thinking I had found a rare magical pink newt...the unicorn of the newt world surely?! Alas it turned out to be a discarded rubber toy!

We have had a great few nights learning the ropes at the Colden Common and Wellow patrols this season. We might be able to squeeze another patrol in before the month is out if conditions are right, but otherwise we are really looking forward to next season. So make sure you sign up ready for next January if you want to get involved!

Had a great time raking dead leaves with FoSOC