Phew! Goodgymer Abim and 8 other volunteers from Sundon Park Baptist Church were on hand to help with activities at the cafe today.

At FoodCycle there was amazing turn out of 44 guests and 4 of our dedicated Goodgymers joined the team to provide a tasty meal for them. There was great team work as they worked together with the FoodCycle volunteers to host, cook, wash up and provide a welcoming atmosphere.

Just a small crew of litterpickers this month on Dallow Downs, but a powerful bunch we were as the four of us tackled a new area for a change at the bottom of the hill.

First task was a clean-up around the playground at the bottom the of the hill, where half-term playtimes in the park had amassed a large amount of litter and the bins overflowed.

Second task was to head up the steepest hill and clear the litter from a small wooded area with the help of a handy extra-long litterpicker to get into the dense undergrowth.

In the middle of a heatwave and after a warm dry spring, the fruit trees of the Wigmore Park Community Orchard were at risk of suffering from drought so we tied up our running shoes and headed out on a hydration mission.

Taking it easy in the heat we ran in the shade for the 5km to get to the park and joined others who had made their directly to the park on foot/bike to reduce the risk of the heat.

Konni was ready and waiting for us in the orchard, with two hoses running to fill buckets and watering cans. We soon had a shuttle system going to get water out to each one of the 80 trees in the orchard and worked systematically to make sure they all good a good bucket or two of water each.

On completion we enjoyed some of Konni's home made elderflower drink and took a moment to celebrate Duncan's birthday with a round of donuts. 🍩 😋

Then the return 5km for the runners thankfully downhill and noticeably cooler as the sun dipped down.

The Hightown Pride event needed bunting put up in the square to give the day a festive feel and make passers by aware of the days events. Martin and David went to climb the step ladders and tie up the bunting first thing in the morning, ready for the day's festivities and then enjoyed the reward of a free coffee for our efforts at Lagoa Café!

It was a decently large turnout for the monthly people's park litterpick in spite of the light rain showers. Five from GoodGym joined another bunch of Friends of the Park and out we went across the park and over the hill searching for the litter dropped by local park users over the last few weeks.

Altogether we got about 15 bags of litter plus a DVLA car clamp and left the park spotless for the weekend visitors.