Gail and David went to the Luton International Carnival's Health and Wellbeing zone on the hottest and sunniest day of the year so far.

Gail was excellently organising all the visiting organisations and David was at the Goodgym stall, shared with Parkrun introducing the public to Goodgym and Parkrun and making plans with all the other organisations.

This week's group run too us up to Dallow Downs and the Ferndale allotment. Thanks to previous efforts this allotment that had fallen out of use is now fully occupied with keen growers.

the final part of bringing the allotment back into good use was clearing up collected bits of rubbish in the overgrown parking area.

We got rummaging in the foliage to find the bits of old wood, metal buckets and general litter left lying around and now grown over by thick plants, building an impressive pile ready for quick removal. With all the rubbish pulled out the area is safe for a strimming and reclaiming the area for better use.

We made quick work of it so we took the scenic route down the beautifully sunny downs and picked litter on the way. Filling a couple of bags with our findings before we got back onto the streets.

Mr B's impressive privet hedge had grown out of control, and out of reach! Martin and David went round to bring it down a level and improve safe access to the property as Mr B isn't as steady on his feet as he once was.

Amply fueled by a generous offering of tea and muffins they cut loads down and chopped it up into small bits to go in green waste bags. The hedge on the neighbours side was left in a much more manageable state and let a lot more light into the garden.

Mr B is something of a writer and as a thank you gave away a couple of copies of a book he has written about the adventures of London pigeons and a poem about snails!

There's plenty of hedge left to trim so a return visit from GoodGym is definitely on the cards.

Mr B's Poem:

Memo from a Mollusc

Dear gardener please read the blurb
On my shell, it says do not disturb
Pray cut some other hedge today
As I'm in snailland far away

Last night this may you amuse
I tanked up too much on the booze
The carrot wine it was just too divine
Have another one Fred said it's just fine

Now I need a leafy corner
With gentle sunshine to be sober
Do not this humble plea refuse
And your good humour you won't lose

Let not your garden be too prim and proper
Let it flourish a little and you will prosper
Be not too eager to impress the neighbours
And take some time from your ceaseless labours

To forgo the rush and tear and slowly stand and stare
At the the tiny creatures wandering there
Whose unhurried ways and patient trails
Make them our teachers (especially the snails!)