Sheila and Angela joined 3 of the other volunteers at the community allotment tonight, and it was all about getting the beds ready for winter. Our first task was to shovel the last of the old manure and topsoil from the storage bay into a wheelbarrow. Not made easy as the front of the bay could not be removed, but we managed to scrape it out from underneath. This was used to top up one of the beds, into which we transplanted the leeks. Angela then heroically transferred the new horse manure into the empty bay. There was a bit of time for Angela to do some extra weeding before packing up our spades and trowels

Four GoodGymmers joined other volunteers at Ray Mill Island for a spot of dry hedge building. Mick was chief engineer and stake-driver, Christine cut branches to size, whilst Anne-Laure and Sheila sorted the area around the compost bins that had become a bit of a dumping ground. Once the supporting stakes were in, the area in between could be packed with branches to the agreed height, with the aid of our boots, and hey presto, a dry hedge was born. It was much-admired by passers-by, and it has to be said, by ourselves too. Not bad for an afternoon's work

A glorious sunny day to be out doing good deeds with The Friends of Oaken Grove Park and Wild Maidenhead! Roberta, Claire, Louis, Carys and I had an easy but active morning alongside task owners Dave and Rach and lots of other lovely volunteers.

First we worked at the wildflower beds, covering thistles with pieces of cardboard and spreading woodchip over the cardboard to stop the thistles from dominating the area. The woodchip had to be wheelbarrowed across the park so that made for a good workout.

We met a nice frog in the wildflower bed and returned him to the pond area. Rach also pointed out a pretty yellow moth chrysalis, which we miraculously managed to not run over with the wheelbarrow.

Then we headed over to the community orchard to mulch around the apple trees, which were looking very healthy.

The Friends need ongoing help maintaining these areas and also creating a wildlife pond, so we hope to be back again soon.

Sheila was joined at the Baby Bank today by Siobhan who had travelled all the way from London. As there was also a large Corporate group in, it was great to have someone with experience to keep up with all the secondary clothes-sorting that needed doing. We were kept busy all morning checking clothes, putting them away, and filling up bags with the rejects.

Six GoodGymers went to the new premises of the Green Skills Library where we were welcomed by the task owner. After quick introductions, she outlined the varied jobs for the evening: - Painting - Brooming the carpentry area - Kneeling on the floor and scraping off bits of gum and paint!

I'm always surprised at how quickly GoodGymers divvy up work without being told who should do what. So off went: - Mike to the carpentry area - Anne-Laure and Diya to paint the back cupboards - Amy to paint an old stool - Juli and Jess on the floor, scraper in hand

And hour flew by, and wonderful things were accomplished, with Amy also having joined the Kneelers and Scrapers. Another fun evening for the books!

Three GoodGymers joined the Friends of Maidenhead Waterways to help with maintenance tasks of waterways in Maidenhead centre.

The mission was to cut back the overgrowth on the banks of the York Stream.

We were helping to gather the cut grass and weeds into bags and sweep the footpath clean afterwards for the community to use.

The sun was out and weather was warm keeping everyone in the good mood. Everyone felt satisfied at the end of the session. It was a great start to the weekend.