It was a small team at the BabyBank this week as they didn’t have enough leaders on site to host a large team. Carol and Karen were tasked with sorting through the donations to find those on the most needed list and carrying out the first checks on them. It was a very relaxed atmosphere with lots of the chat with the other two regular volunteers. A very pleasant way to spend a morning.

Spital Cemetery stalwarts Sue and Maggie were joined by Sheila and Karen for the first work party of the year. We also welcomed Sarah for her very first GoodGym mission. Taskowner Karen gave us a safety briefing , and we were off to find some graves that needed attention. We cut back bushes, and even the lower branches of large trees to reveal hidden gravestones. Our reward was to be able to read the touching inscriptions, now revealed.

Five brave GoodGymmers butted the gloomy forecast aside and trotted over to Wessex Primary School, where Caretaker Andrew welcomed us and explained our rather udderly unusual task.

Tonight, we’d be standing in for the school’s former goats by clearing a small paddock of acorns. Andrew told us the oak tree only drops a mega‑crop every four years — and this was one of those bumper seasons. With the goats no longer around to gobble up the goodies, it was time for us to bleat them to it.

There was no kidding around once we got started. Armed with plant pots, rakes, and even a leaf blower, we set about herding acorns into black sacks at an impressive pace. By the end, we’d filled around 25 bags — a truly goat‑worthy haul — which Andrew whisked away to the bins.

The paddock is now looking far less a‑corny and ready for the PE department to unleash some fun and games.

Karen got a couple of bags of shopping in for Mrs K who was not allowed to drive after an operation. She had lost her appetite so asked for a few items to tempt her tastebuds. Hopefully she will enjoy the items which were on her list.

Welfare visit for Mrs D

Our 5 merry Goodgymers went on planting trees on this nice and sunny Saturday afternoon. Trees needed to be moved and planted elsewhere. Wheelbarrows were moved, dirt was dug,water was poured and weed was removed : a very efficient session on this island.

But it wasn't without counting on the current drama happening on the island: female duck being courted by 3 suitors (or 2,maybe only 1 and the others were there for the fight, it wasn't really clear). A story we didn't have the end of. Hopefully on the next episode/session, things will have calm down on the island for the wildlife.