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.

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!