Jess Smith
Windsor and Maidenhead
TaskForce
Doing good since February 2020
107Good deeds
341runs
554cheers
TaskForce achievements
25
Community Missions
listed
12
Group Runs
back marked
1
Walking Groups
led
25
Run reports
written
9
Run reports
photographed
1
Group Fitness Activities
led
Windsor and Maidenhead
We like to moo-ve it moo-ve it
This evenings group run saw 11 GoodGymmers enthusiastically set off from Bray High Street to our destination at the grazing land near Bray Lake. Amy, Georgeta, Rachel, Rhi, and new member Harriet took set off running while Jen led the walking group of Jess, Diya, Kanika and another new member Kate. Welcome Harriet and Kate! Along the lanes and over the bridge they all went on one of the longer run/walk on #wednesdaynightisgoodgymnight.
At the grazing site we were met by the task owner Kristina and a big pile of scrub. The group got stuck in loading up the prickly (a few 'ouch' sounds bore witness to it) brambles into large bags to carry over and dump on the other side of the creek. While the group was busy loading, carrying and dumping, a herd of cows got very interested in the proceedings and decided to get a closer look. Some cow whispering by Georgeta and Kate was needed to stop them from getting too interested in the group's backpacks.
The pile this side went down as the pile that side went up. Some 22 hippo bags worth of scrub* was moved by the group.
Amy wanted the group to do a plank, but by then the cows had decided they'd had enough human company for the day. So off we went away from their grazing land. As soon as we were safe, we were hit by the plank!
Then runners took off running and walkers took off walking and chatting, back to our meeting point to wrap up a very satisfying mission. There's a return mission planned for Tuesday 24 May - sign up here if you're keen to help or just want to see the cows! The session is listed from 9am-4pm but you are welcome to stop by anytime you're free during the day.
*No frogs were harmed in the completion of this mission. Rhi made sure of that - evidence is in the photos.
Windsor and Maidenhead
Hedge trimming and tidying at Holyport Football Club
For this evening's group run/walk, we meet in the car park outside the Coop on Shifford Crescent in North Maidenhead. We'll have a quick welcome and warm up and then set off towards our task location.
The walkers will cover roughly 2km, whilst runners will travel 3-4km. Will it be 3km or will it be 4km I hear you ask? Well that depends how fast each person wants to go. This evening's run includes a fun interval session on a 400m 'track' (on residential roads) and if you run faster you'll go further. As always all paces are welcome and we will make sure no one gets left behind.
Our task location is the Holyport football club (which is not in Holyport!). On previous visits to the club we've filled potholes and spread woodchip. This evening we have a new treat in store...hedge trimming! Please remember your gardening gloves.
After the task we'll do a quick fitness session before taking the most direct (1km) route back to our start location for stretches and cheerios.
Windsor and Maidenhead
Help save the Pennyroyal
#WednesdayNightisGoodGymNight and this Wednesday we are headed to grazing land near Bray Lake to help NatureBureau maintain the unique habitat where the declining and protected plant Pennyroyal grows.
We will meet and welcome everyone in the free Jubilee Field car park, just off Bray High Street. Click here to see the location on Google Maps. We will then have a quick warm up before setting off on foot to the task. The distance is 2.4km and walkers are very welcome. If you prefer to run, there are options to add on 800m at the start of the route and/or 800m at the end to increase your distance. We will see what everyone wants to do on arrival and make sure that no one is on their own. If you are up for walk leading please let me know in advance and I can share the route with you.
Our destination is an area of grazing land just off Monkey Island Lane, which has been designated an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) because it is home to Pennyroyal, a precious plant that is in decline. Brambles were cleared from the site last year, mulched and left in scrub piles. Our job is to help NatureBureau clear the piles, using pitch forks and wheelbarrows. Some GoodGymers made a start on this satisfying task recently and you can read all about it by clicking here.
Before coming along please be aware of the following:
There are cattle grazing in the area where we are working. The may come and greet us.
The field can be very muddy, particularly at the entrance so be prepared to get mucky.
Gardening gloves are a must and you will need to watch out for thorny brambles.
The ground where we will be working is uneven
It will be getting dark on our return run/walk so headtorches are advised
There are three scrub piles in the field and we hope to clear at least 1 on this session. We will run or walk the 2.4km back to our start location on foot for stretches and goodbyes.
Can't wait to see you there!
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