We were 3 of 743 finishers at University Parks Christmas Day parkrun! A chilly but lovely start to the day ❤

If you go down to the woods today be careful of what you may find; from sofa cushions and mugs to old record players and once loved plastic Christmas trees, our trusty litter pickers won’t leave much behind (Except perhaps Fred – who for a short time we did think had been traded in for our litter-y haul!)!

Between the picking there was chatter aplenty, floral celebrations for Joe’s 50th good deed (in record time too!), a team attempt for a baby squirrel rescue and much enjoyment of the sunshine.

As the task ended we collected & admired our haul, and noted where to come back for another go (or three) – keeping our green spaces enjoyable and litter free as we can.

And as the sun was starting to set a mob of red T’s could be seen disappearing off into the distance, after deeding well, time to get fit and check on the goodness seeded around the city!

Today's mission was an Odyssey to a new GoodGym venue at Denny Gardens in the shadow of the Kassam Stadium. Meg set the scene for us - an unloved patch of land was to be transformed into a community allotment. The brambles had been cleared from head high down to ground level. Our tasks were flyering, litter picking and digging.

Fred and Angus set about collecting 6 years' worth of litter. Bethan and Muireann made short work of the leaflet deliveries and joined Alice, Meg and Joe on the dig. Meg's plan was to demonstrate that the ground could become productive. With a 6 year head start, the brambles are dug in for the battle ahead. Ninety minutes of hard work created a satisfying pile of roots and a decent area of turned over soil.

Task completed without head torches, 3 of us set off by bike and 4 on foot.