Six GGers responded to the summons or rather a plea, from The Royal School in Windsor for help. The setting of the school inside the Great Park makes for a lovely task every time.

Diya, Kanika, Sheila and Rachel carpooled to the entrance of the Great Park. From here we walked the 2 or so kms to the school. We were met by the headmistress who set us up in the "magical garden" to pull out the weeds and do a general tidy up. Shortly, Anne-Laure joined the weeding fun after time-keeping at the Parkrun. And then our horticultural expert Kate arrived. GG now brings expertise to such missions!

Within an hour the garden was looking even more magical and ready for the kids to start enjoying again. Then we pulled out big muscles to move some heavy brambles and earth into the skip.

We weren't done yet though. There was another small garden patch desperately in need of weeding. So while our task owner made us some tea and coffee, we tackled the very prickly stinging nettles. It stung! But we weren't to be dissuaded and by the time our beverages arrived, we had cleared this patch too.

A very grateful headmistress thanked us for our help and off we went our merry way!

Runners met at Bishopsgate in the Windsor Great Park with Kanika, Diya and Sara set off for a 2km walk towards the task. Matt, Nicola, Amanda and Juli enjoyed a 5km group fitness activity heading past the copper horse statue, through the park passing deer showing off their voices and impressive antlers while watching the setting sun create a brilliant photo opportunity every step of the way. After Kelley finding the start point she set off in hot pursuit and arrived with time to spare.

Meeting at the task together we saw the resident coffee station being set up with home roasted grounds and we set about a selection of task both inside and out. Weeding, moving big heavy picnic tables and museum cabinets from upstairs to downstairs in the original house built circa 1845.

Glass cabinets successfully moved, substantial wooden tables maneuvered down the stairs, picnic tables fed through gates and weeding by the barrowful. We then stopped for a well earned coffee in the dark and made the most of a torch lit gathering before wondering through the darkness home.

Those little tasks completed by multiple hands was very appreciated by the staff at the school and who knows, there may be a chance to return soon.

The Shed's gone, forever! The Schools shed's been blown, to, pieces!

Runners braved the heat and returned to the idyllic Royal School in Windsor Great Park for another session ticking off tasks from their growing "to do" list. On our last visit we tackled the weeds and vines climbing over a wooden shed. This time the decision had been made and the shed's fate was sealed. With holes in the roof and rotting floors we set to work breaking it down and clearing the space for new ideas in the coming academic year. Some runners also helped shift boxes and supplies out ready for the summer holiday jobs while the school is closed.

The windows were a pane to remove! We nailed removing the shed walls. We even had a break through in the roof.

With the help of an incredibly noisy trolley and a wheelbarrow all the timber was skipped and the pond was started to be cleared.

We even found time to dance in the sunset with a spin around the maypole before heading home.

Another visit is hopefully on the cards to continue the varied tasks ahead to support the school.

Six runners headed out to the Royal School located in the heart of Windsor Great Park. Our task for the evening was to help out with some gardening and outdoor maintenance at this little first school.

The school was set up in 1843 by her majesty Queen Victoria, and with its links to the crown you might be wondering whether we were stealing work away from the Royal Gardeners. Worry not, the school is funded by RBWM rather than the Royal Estate, and with only 100 pupils it doesn't command a large budget. Despite their stunning location, the school relies heavily on volunteers to upkeep their historical site.

Our hosts were well prepared with clear instructions (with pictures!) on the many tasks they wished us to tackle that evening. We were joined by some of the parents and teachers who got to action. Matt, Jen and Amy started pottering around moving the heavy pottery wheel into the garden, while Sheila had a wheely good time moving some soil with the wheelbarrow and some helpers.
Tara and Kelley cooked up a feast in the mud kitchen, clearing the many weeds. Amy, Tara, Jen and Kelley put some patio stones under the mud kitchen to try and dry it out. The teachers told us it was one of the most popular areas at playtime so hopefully there will be a few more fine cuisine meals concocted in it now it is off the ground.
We were very fortunate to see a great many beasties while we were working, including a huge amount of toadlets that seemed to be making an annual migration through the school gardens. Overhead we were treated to a great display of housemartins nesting in the eves.

When it was time for a break instead of nettle soup we had a delicious coffee.

On our final leg, Matt cleared the shed which was completely overgrown with weeds. Tara, Amy and Kelley cleared the edge of the lawns where we uncovered a purple poppy and a lot of lost balls! Amy made the GG logo with her many balls! Jen said she had a Royally good evening and I think it was fair to say we all agree.