Welfare visit for Mrs D

Our 5 merry Goodgymers went on planting trees on this nice and sunny Saturday afternoon. Trees needed to be moved and planted elsewhere. Wheelbarrows were moved, dirt was dug,water was poured and weed was removed : a very efficient session on this island.

But it wasn't without counting on the current drama happening on the island: female duck being courted by 3 suitors (or 2,maybe only 1 and the others were there for the fight, it wasn't really clear). A story we didn't have the end of. Hopefully on the next episode/session, things will have calm down on the island for the wildlife.

Armed with hot (ish) water, sponges, buckets, telescopic brushes and a hose pipe, Sheila, Sue and Jen made short work of cleaning the outside of 3 of the People to Places minibuses. There was plenty of chat as we cleaned and we even had time for a cuppa made by taskowner Dave.

It was Sheila's first time at this task and she took to it like a bus to water and particularly enjoyed drawing the GG logo in the grime before we started.

Next week we are at the Holyport depot for more of the same.

A large group of corporate volunteers were helping out at the Baby Bank this morning, and after dropping off some stair gates Sheila helped out by second-checking the piles of clothes and putting them away. There were some cute hand-knits which had been donated, which had to be sized. All of them were labelled 'with big hugs' from the lady who had knitted them. So lovely!

Our task owner Adam met with 7 Goodgymmers to hand over 350 leaflets. It was a beautifully warm evening so perfect weather for leaflet dropping.

Sheila may have walked into a bollard, with comic timing. Angela was just remarking that we hadn't come across many dogs, just as Rachel posted a leaflet and there was furious barking from inside. But all fingers remain attached.

Amy said it was a really enjoyable evening and very satisfying to get through all the leaflets. She walked over 5km!

Great work everyone!

Rachel and Sheila returned to help improve the football pitch at All Saints School. We scattered the seed, trying to perfect the box shake to give the optimum coverage of seed, and then raked it in. Sheila then had to leave, but was replaced by Amy who levelled some sand by the playground and then helped Rachel tidy up the sand pile and leave the site in a suitable condition. Mrs Thompson, our Taskowner, was very grateful for our help, and we hope the seed germinates well, and that the footballers soon have grass to play on instead of mud!