What a fantastic turnout at Ray Mill Island (RMI) today. 6 Goodgymers joined 11 Friends of RMI volunteers and tackled a range of jobs.

One group, including Carys, set off to identify trees and paint signs to identify them, whilst Mick continued his work on the mid path, moving the stones into place. Whilst Sheila and Christine started out weeding the rockery, Ed fixed a new sign to the mural and then joined Jen and the rest of the group with weeding the proposed nursery area.

By the end everyone was helping in the nursery area, apart from Mick who continued flexing his muscles moving the rocks around.

The two hours flew by with lots of progress made.

A jolly holly bunch of GoodGymers had a great time today at the sunny Braywick Nature Reserve foraging for festive foliage for the Age Concern wreath making workshop.

Our task owner from Age Concern was pine-ing for supplies for this year’s merry fundraiser and wreath guidance from Ranger Tom we were fir-ry happy to help.

We gathered plenty of conifer cuttings for bulk, then we found prettier clippings to really spruce up the wreaths. Ivy never seen so many lovely red berries and we even managed to reach some mistletoe.

Gillian was particularly efficient with the secateurs. You should’ve cedar!

On a damp and blustery day, Christine, Sue, Maggie and Sheila joined taskowner Karen Davies at Spital Cemetery in Windsor. While Karen put up some poppies for Remembrance Sunday, the rest of us tackled a wild rose overgrowing a grave belonging to 2 sisters who had both lived to a ripe old age. All of a sudden, who should make a surprise visit, but Amy and Rachel fresh from a Pilates class. Amy presented me with the most beautifully crafted medal adorned with a spade and GG cap to celebrate my 1000th Good Deed. We all continued working until we had finished the job and left the cuttings in a bag for Tivoli to pick up. As the rain began to fall, we retired to the shelter of the chapel doorway and enjoyed some delicious carrot cakes made by our very own super-chef, Rachel. Wonderful! Thanks to everyone for making the session so special - I felt thoroughly spoilt!