Steph was assigned to distributing numbers for the 5k while I was in charge of women’s and kids T-shirts. There were more than 1000 runners expected and 300 t-shirts to give out. There was still time to grab our complimentary volunteer burger before we headed out to our marshal positions. They were well needed to sustain our cheering through the 5k and 10k which was two laps. Steph was positioned for her road closure and Ellie ran down to her road closure on the parallel road. Fortunately we didn’t have too many issues with cars trying to come through and lots of residents came out to cheer alongside us. Great to see Abby smashing out a new 5k PB and lots of other runners from local groups enjoying this local race. I didn’t manage to spot everyone but they certainly heard me with my cowbell! We look forward to being back next year.

Laura and I popped along to help the fabulous team at St Denys Community Centre for their wonderfully inclusive Carnival. A few gazebos and assisting wherever we were needed. It was so wonderful to see the amazing costumes and dress everyone had come in for the Pirate theme. A beautiful sunny day for them and a great day for the local community.

Tonight we were blessed with an indoor task due to the downpours. Our task: stock take and organise the drink and snack cupboards after a very busy open day for the farm. Lucy and Ashleigh tackled the front of house while the rest of us started sorting the drinks into categories. We then had some careful planning to ensure everything fit back into the cupboards neatly and so it would be quick to access. We discovered Dr Pepper is the most popular drink and you can never have too many Jaffa Cakes!

We were very excited to visit Cedar school for the first time to help them make their gardening area a bit tidier and more accessible for the pupils. We cut back some overgrown trees and pushed back some soil to make a clear walkway around the greenhouse. We also moved spare equipment and rubbish out the way to remove any trip hazards. We had a little time left for weeding one of the raised beds and sweeping before packing up to go home. We hope to go back soon so we can help in the forest school area.

Leszek led the way getting up with the larks arriving before 6 am to help unload the vans, put up gazebos and a fantastic workout in the process. Nicola, the super organiser amongst us was already there too when Stephanie (who was supposed to be leading the session) strolled in at 8 am! 🤓 There were plenty of tasks left for us all to help with and Nicola came into her forte arranging the book stall. Thank goodness the rain held off and the sun shone.

This evening we decided jobs based on who looked like they were dressed for winter and summer! People looking well wrapped with assigned car washing duties while the short wearers, ouchie hand person and a birthday Wilson went up to the loft. In the loft we split into a painting team and a t-shirt sorting team. The t-shirt cupboard was the Mary Poppins bag of cupboards with seemingly endless varieties of t-shirts to organise. The painters were stuck with other quandaries such as how to get a very stuck sticky label off and how to paint both sides in one evening. We just about got everything folded up and and base coated in time. The beginnings of a human fruit machine ready for the summer events!

Wishing a big Happy Birthday to Wilson and Leszek