Fun evening at the Plastic Shed soft launch!

Lots of items made from recycled plastic lids on show using moulds made from aluminium, including:

• buttons
• (lab) coat pegs
• rulers
• clips
• bowls
• coasters
• spin tops
• combs
• lid connectors for building models from lids

We had the opportunity to drill some lids into the new mural inside too. Plus we got to see the new machines, new painted walls and spaces, and the new shop front!

Great to see how much progress Caitlin and Jamie have made!

Jodie, Sanjeev, and Ben made their way up to Heaton Park to help out with a spot of balsam bashing near the tram museum.

A park rich in history coming into public ownership in 1902, Himalayan balsam was brought over during the Victorian era but it's ability to very quickly spread has made it difficult when other plants try to grow. Over the 600+ acres in Heaton park, there is plenty near the boating lake and pond, and we were helping out in an area nearer the eastern side of the park.

Between the three of us plus Ella from the park and her mum, we cleared a large area, initially aiming for the tree, but managing to go above and beyond to clear a decent chunk in 90-100 minutes of bashing. The odd bramble did get in the way, with a few pangs of pain and exclamations of "OUCH!" but all in all, a productive session.

Lots of information about the park, parkrun comparisons, National Football Museum, local bootcamps, corporate volunteering, plus much more.

We are back in the park on Sunday 2nd August to do some path edging. Juno will likely be coming along.

🗞 Solo Manchester Post paper round for Ben in the residential areas of Longsight and Rusholme. 300 community newspapers delivered spreading good news and local events, including a GRIT Studios art trail and lots of news from Withington and Fallowfield.

Likely a change up next time, either in a different area, hopefully when it's a bit cooler.