Well, well, well, on the HOTEST day of the year we thought why not have a task at the TOP of Sheffield..

Well it was worth it!

The lovely Angela met us on site and let us in and showed us the fantastic grounds of the school and all the hard work that has been going on there to make it such a beautiful space for the pupils and the community.

Once we had had a snack of the fresh cherries on the trees and had a cup of water and some homemade flapjack we got to the tasks at hand. This week we were understandably watering the plants in the poly tunnel and also spreading some wood chip around the younger trees to help them get established.

What a wonderful space this is and it was a pleasure being able to help with its ongoing development.

We can't wait until the next time!

Swimming up a post industrial river is no mean feat when you are a salmon, trout or grayling. All these weirs get in your way of making it to the spawning grounds in the nice gravelly upstreams; and thats no exception on our local Don river and its tributaries.

Thankfully, fish passes have been built on the weirs.

Where there's a weir, there's a way!

But these must be checked regularly for obstructions; Leaping to the task were a (s)t(r)out team of GoodGymers: Rachel, Michelle, Cat, Celine, as well as Helen whose first GoodGym deed it was! Welcome Helen!

We were joined by Matt from Charity DCRT who shared his knowledge of all things weirs, fish passes and local wildlife with us, including the sand martins and the nest box in Kelham island - I'd never noticed that before!

Observing wildlife never fails to lift my spirits - it's always amazing to notice it on your doorstep, even in our urban environments. Giving wildlife a little care is even better! Join us on our next weir watch!

Thank you for all the fish (passes)...

5 Goodgymmers ran up to Durham Ox and met up with David. He handed all the tools to us and explained the tasks. Mainly clearing the cycle paths, cutting off shrubs and bushes that are in the way. Also litter picking, sweeping and clearing. Later Simon Heller came to volunteer too. Lovely to see a familiar face again and I ended up in the pub with him. Bad Gymmer with a glass of small red wine but very enjoyable.