Last minute listing to a new place and a new community group!

ReflecTeen are a youth community group next door to FC United of Manchester that runs after school clubs and football for locals. They are in the midst of refurbishing their space to have a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) in their back yard.

To get this done, they need to clear the area and remove the fencing so we were asked if we could come along to help move a rather heavy shed. Turns out, the company contracted to do the work have delayed the task by a whole month so the shed was emptied but doesn't need moving yet (thankfully as it was solitary task in the end). We will be called upon in the next few weeks to get a group to move it, so keep an eye out for that!

After having a drink of water, I ran back via FC United, Etihad, and COOP Live for a decent loop. Lots of opportunities for litter picking were spotted on the way too... 🚮

Sunday is definitely not a day of rest for Valentina, Kirsty, Hazel, and Ben! Fueled by the bottomless, rocket‑level energy of our tiniest but mightiest litter warriors, Noah and Luke, the team set out on a mission worthy of its own nature documentary.

In collaboration with Hazel Grove Mutual Aid, our fearless rubbish ramblers trekked across the car park road and the park by the Hazel Grove rail station, bravely confronting the wild world of fly‑tipped treasures. And what a collection it was: soft drink cans, beer bottles, rogue styrofoam, every McDonald’s item ever engineered — cups, trays, forks, straws, sauce tubs, possibly someone’s hopes and dreams — you name it, they found it.

By the end of the adventure, the crew had filled at least 16 bin bags with plastic, paper, glass, and metal. That’s right — sixteen. Enough rubbish to make even the most seasoned raccoon weep with pride.

Another Sunday well spent. Another victory against the chaos. And definitely another early bedtime for Noah and Luke. Also, it was Valentina's first GoodGym session! Welcome, Valentina (and Noah and Luke)! 😊

📸 Ben, Hazel, Kirsty

RSPB big garden bird watch has become an annual wildlife count to check for local biodiversity.

Ben spent his hour in Birchfields Park near Rusholme and Longsight, counting lots of jackdaws and parakeets with a few robins and magpies too.

Jen spotted a sparrow, magpie, and a great tit in the garden in Slough.

Quiet, peaceful, and wholesome hour spent not looking at a screen or rushing around. Bliss.

Fletcher Moss parkrun event number 281

Great to see 497 runners and walkers this morning, and big thank you for listening to the instructions about the diversion around the fallen tree 🌳

Welcome to the 111 first timers to Fletcher Moss and well done to 22 of you who completed their FIRST EVER parkrun 👏

🦺 Our parkrun couldn't happen without our wonderful hi-vis heroes, with 23 volunteers answering the call, so a massive THANK YOU to every single one 💪 special thanks particularly to the additional marshals and help as VI guide runners this morning.