This evening a gaggle of Goodgymers turned into Christmas Elves.

Gathering in a cosy Oxford pub (chips were indeed consumed) we scribed Christmas cards to be distributed around care homes in the UK.

Heads were scratched and inspiration was found in the form of doodles, Christmas Cracker jokes, poems and sharing of favorite decorations and food.

These tasks can feel a bit daunting sometimes, where to start when writing to a stranger? But we amassed a brilliant stack of cards to be sent off for distribution. I'm sure that they will spread a lot of joy at a time of year that can be very lonely for some.

Thank you Goodgym Elves!!

3 Goodgymers litter picked the night away at Oxfords 57th Fireworks display at South Park.

At first we arrived, persuaded the gate keepers that we were indeed volunteers and to let us in, and then picked up our pickers, hoops, bags and high Vis. We began our mission by Round Table-ing the parameters, focusing around the food vans and the fair ground before it got too busy. We also answered lots of questions from the public, including "Where are the toilets?" and "Where will the fireworks be?" 🤷🏻‍♀️ We enjoyed the new addition quiet fireworks display from the VIP area, after collecting a few cans and cups from the fancy tent and straw bales section and bumping into 'Off Duty' Mark.

Time for the main event, the big fireworks display beside a luminous waning supermoon.

When the masses left the park, our real work started. A litter picker's treasure trove of plastic cups, chip boxes and empty wine bottles left on the ground. We scooped up over 15 bags of rubbish between us on the night. We think we made a good dent in rubbish removal but lots of other volunteers will be working late into the night and the next day helping restore the park back to sparkling. Thanks to them all!

This evening we returned to St. Nicholas' Primary School to continue the sprucing up of their garden and Forest School area.

Weeds have started to poke their way through some of the weed matting and brambles are creeping over the fence line. Bramble prickles and primary school children are not a good combination!

Armed with loppers, choppers and sturdy gloves we set to work, with one eye on the light - the evenings really are getting darker as autumn plods along.

After an hour and a bit the space was looking a lot neater and we all trotted off for our evening exercise!

Welcome to Goodgym Laura, so lovely to meet you!