Nine Nottingham GoodGymers returned to the Bridgeway Hall Methodist Centre for our latest task. We met Paul on arrival who greeted us with open arms and explained what our task would be for the evening.

He also excitedly told us about the new heating system that had recently been installed in the centre by a fantastic group of volunteers called Warriors of Warmth – a team of experienced plumbers and engineers who provide heating systems to charities and organisations across UK (a bit like a more skilled and professional version of GoodGym!).

Whilst installing heating systems may be beyond our capabilities, we can still do our bit, so we all set to work with our jobs for the evening. The hall is also benefitting from a brand-new kitchen very soon, so AJ, Bo, Lindsey, Marta, Vicky and Rachel started by emptying the kitchen cupboards and transporting the contents to a store room upstairs. Paul requested that we just leave enough plates, bowls and cups in the kitchen for the forthcoming community meal, so an element of brain power was also required (or ‘plate maths’ as Vicky described it).

Whilst this was going on, Leah, Nigel and Khiltee worked outside in the garden, clearing an area of overgrowth and weeds. A somewhat less delicate operation than the crockery-moving going on inside, the long trailing branches required a lot of heavy-handed pulling and tugging to get them up. Although they did need to pause for a few moments to try and rescue a couple of bees which had been un-earthed in the process (see pictures).

After half an hour and several trips upstairs with various plates, cups, bowls, cutlery, jugs, slow cookers and a microwave, the kitchen team had finished so also joined in the gardening outside. This included moving some picnic benches and a spot of weeding.

It was a pleasure to return to the Bridgeway Hall where we have done tasks in the foodbank on a number of occasions. It was also great to hear about all the new developments and to chat to Paul who we had not met before. We hope to see you again soon!

Shout-out to Peter for the egg-cellent pun!

We were back at the AMC Gardens last night for an evening of tussling with weeds, compost and some rather worse-for-wear wood.

All six of us arrived under our own steam, with a trio running from town, two on bikes and a solo runner! Great work, team!

After a tour for those of us who hadn't been to the Gardens before, we got stuck into shifting compost from the main bins to some tarps as Katie and the team felt the bins had seen better days and needed reconstructing. Nigel, Aj, Peter and Leah got stuck in with spades, pitchforks and wheelbarrows, managing to clear most of the ready compost and some that was still rotting down into separate piles. Their work clearly had an impact on the local wildlife, with the chickens inspecting every barrow-load for tasty treats and a rogue frog scaring the bejeesus out of Leah (stronger language may have been used, but this is a family website). Katie thankfully moved it out to the pond area for a good drink and a splash. Finally, Leah and Peter began the process of dismantling the old bins, ripping out the old liners and some of the wood.

Meanwhile, Bozena and Tom were over in the gardens proper clearing out some of the beds to make space for planting. The proceeds were then donated to the compost piles the rest had been creating.

We finished our evening with some delicious freshly picked apricots and some well-earned water. What a way to spend a lovely balmy evening!

Bozena, Leah and Rachel headed to Sneinton on Saturday to help with 'skip day'. This brilliant initiative was organised by the Sneinton Waste Action Group (SWAG), to enable local residents to dispose of unwanted items and waste in one time and place. Or rather, in two giant skips.

The base for the event was Lindum Grove Community Gardens where we have spent many-a-task previously, and on arrival we admired several recent changes including the growth of the trees we planted a while ago and a new perimeter fence (sadly replacing one of our dead hedges, but much needed to create a more contained and safe garden for children).

Skip day was in full swing with a group of enthusiastic volunteers taking receipt of various items of waste which were being dropped off by a steady stream of residents. These ranged from regular black bin bags of rubbish, right through to a large metal container resembling an oil drum and an old office chair, and everything in between. The team were sorting through items that could be re-purposed or gifted to others and the whole event had such a positive, festival vibe.

We spent an hour helping out by litter picking around some of the nearby roads and taking some items of fly-tipping to the skips. We managed to collect three bags full of litter, plus an old bike frame, a mattress and a slinky which had seen much better days.

Sadly we just missed the samba band who were about to start as we departed, but we had a great time playing a small part in this fab community event.