Getting to the (almost) root of the problem

On a stunning April evening we had headed across Sunny Worthing to one of more recent, but also favourite tasks, at English Martyrs school. We were met by Helen, the head teacher who had a comprehensive list of task requests. Many of us had arrived with loppers in readiness for hedge and bramble work so we got straight to work.

Special mention to Roxy who completed The London Marathon yesterday in a fantastic time. Massive congratulations also must go to Anne who completed the 50 mile South Downs Challenge a few weeks ago and returned to her GoodGym buddies tonight.

Most of the team including Belinda, Barbara,El,John,Ricky,Paul Gillybean, and Anne got stuck into lopping down large brambly hedges lining the bordering fence. They certainly worked with great gusto with lots to get done in a limited time. The progress was excellent with piles of debris soon appearing ready to be transferred to the compost heap.

Roxy and puppy Mala decided to continue painting the fence that we had started last year. With only 1 paint brush it was a 1 person job but we do hope that we will push through and finish the whole thing this summer before it will all need doing again next year! Luckily for Roxy, when Mala got a little too hot and restless Helen's daughter stepped in and was only too pleased to take her inside to play with her.

Stéphane arrived just in time to help me empty compost into the new raised beds before concentrating on helping with all the debris clearing. John had usefully brought along a brand new electric strimmer which was sliced through the brambles beautifully. Gill very usefully found a trolley to help with transportation to the compost heap ( great photo)

Superstar of the day

Talking of the strimmer ..... John unfortunately misplaced a wing nut on it so we were all trying to keep a look out for it which was a little like looking for a needle in a haystack ! However thanks to our eagle eyed ( and determined) El this was the first of two problems that we didn't need to worry about! Within the space of 10 minutes she had not only found the missing part for the strimmer but also Paul's glasses which had dropped off his head into the abysis of foliage ! El is definitely one we are keeping !

What a lovely evening this was :) We will be back again next week to continue with more jobs. As its a bank holiday Monday we will be meeting next Wednesday 7th May at 6pm instead.

Have a great BH long weekend and see you next week.

Julia x

Junior parkrun is 15 Today Belinda and John headed out to Worthing Liesure Centre for Junior parkrun.

Light evenings are back again

What an absolute delight it was to arrive and finish the task in the light. Head torches and Uncle Ivo's GoodGym lights be gone!!

It's kind of traditional that we kick off BST at one of our favourite tasks at St Botolphs Church with our hosts Val and Rik.

Val is always super organised and has all the tasks they would like done listed alongside their intensity level, meaning everyone can make a considered choice.

This evening Belinda and John chosen the more challanging option of sawing a large tree trunk into 3 pieces. This was quite some task which they completed very successfully illustrating what 37 years of marital team work can do!

Roxy and Stéphane got stuck into some digging with Ricky also joining them too.

Meanwhile Mel was bare handedly stripping ivy out of the wall which appeared to be quite therapeutic after a stressful day working !

Gillybean and Paulgot stuck into some fine pruning of trees and bushes on the outskirts of the church wall.

It was great to see our OG Beth back in the borough. She wasted no time in getting stuck into cutting up prunings that Gill and Paul had kindly provided ! El and Sarah got stick into removing ivy from the wall surrounding the doomsday font that we unearthed a few years ago. Sarah was fresh from her recent seamless move with Ryan into a beautiful new town house nearby whilst El had the brilliant idea to ask if we could take a look around inside the church. We didn't need to be asked twice and all processed into the church behind Rik who was the keeper of the keys! We all really enjoyed marvelling at c the size and beauty of the church and I was particularly interested to see a large lady chapel being there too.

We got back to work after our impromptu visit before finishing up fur the week.

Thank you St Botolphs - you didn't disappoint!