On a beautiful warm evening in Nottingham, five of us headed to the Windmill Community Gardens to help with some general gardening tasks. We were greeted by Tracy who explained a bit about the different areas in the gardens and set us to work on clearing some brambles and moving wood chipping to create a more level path.

The gardens cover a large area and contain an amazing collection of interesting art displays and novel growing ideas, all aimed at repurposing old items and minimising waste. We particularly loved the flowers growing in old walking boots and giant bumble bee sculpture.

The time flew by and before we knew it, it was time to depart as the sun began to set (note to selves about needing head torches very soon!). Before we left, we had a good chat with Tracy about the possibility of coming back, either for more gardening or to help at one of the fantastic events they have planned at the gardens in the coming months.

Not one, not two, but three parks were plogged by seven Nottingham Goodgymers. Rachel L, Rachel W, Soliane, Hamish, Alison, Janine and Peter were suitably armed with hi-viz and litter pickers and were soon filling our purple bin bags making these three publics spaces that little bit nicer. That nice in fact that we saw a hula hoop workshop taking place in park number one - next time Goodgymers, next time!

Between the showers 7 of Nottingham's finest put on their gardening gloves, rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into the the overgrown weeds around the Russell Youth Club. With plenty to go at Alison, Janine and Peter tackled the front of the building while first timers Jules, Deena and Diane joined Rachel hacking their way down the side of the building, Indiana Jones style. No Cinnabar Moth caterpillars were harmed during the whirlwind of Goodgymers armed with secateurs and shears filling green bags aplenty. Alarmingly though, Peter managed to set off the burglar alarm whilst locking away the tools but alls well that ends well and the task owner came out to reset and got an unexpected sneak preview of our efforts