This evening, we returned to Meadow Lane playground to continue our support for the NaturEscape transformation project. We split into two teams to tackle the next tasks. The first team worked on clearing the mesh fencing with bolt cutters, enjoying the satisfaction of completing a job we started last time! By cutting back the fencing and clearing overgrown foliage, the play space has been opened up, allowing children to run freely between the trees. The second team transferred woodchip from below a defunct zip line to a log circle, instantly making the area look more magical and inviting. We learnt that the technique for clearing the woodchip was to ‘scrape not dig’’! We scraped up the woodchip and transported it back and forth in a wheelbarrow. Joe provided some great tips, including to always point your empty wheelbarrow in the direction you’ll travel once it’s full, saving you from maneuvering a heavy load! We were pleased to have Chris back with us, and to warmly welcome Rab for their first session!

My goodness that was HOT!!!!

visiting Aston's Eyot is always a joy, mainly because it always involves scything - relaxing but also quite sweaty work.

This evening's task was clearing an amazing amount of nettles and thistles to start creating more welcoming spaces for pollinators.

Nettles were duly scythed and we discovered that uphill scything in a heat-wave is really rather hard work! Our clearing were then covered with big tarpaulins to help suppress regrowth.

With frequent stops for water and bug spray we made a huge difference. Its always mega satisfying to see quick results!

Well done team, ice creams all round I reckon.

This evening, 11 GoodGymers returned to a task favourite: Marston Forest Garden. Fred, Muireann, and Ellie went running in the sun through Marston, briefly passing Wasabi (Ellie’s cat!) before joining the rest of the group.

We had a real assortment of tasks to take on. There was clearing with sickles and scythes, transporting compost, weeding (including clearing common hogweed and valerian), and topping up the pond with water as it had become dry. The group divided up and got to work, attempting to dodge the large amounts of bugs and ants that were enjoying the compost. Fortunately we got a briefing to help us identify the various weeds we were tackling.

A big congratulations to Mae who celebrated 10 good deeds this evening! As with all milestones, the garland of joy was worn to mark the occasion.

Our relationship with Aston’s Eyot goes back a few years and, arriving on a warm May evening by the river, we could see the results of our many earlier endeavours. Ruth from the Friends of Aston’s Eyot welcomed us with tools ready and a clear plan for the evening’s work.

We split forces for maximum efficiency: one team weeded around the wildlife pond GoodGym had helped create, giving its edges some much‑needed breathing room, while the rest of us took on a fresh front in the never‑ending nettle campaign. The patch was new, but the story was familiar: nettles determined to reclaim paths, sting ankles, and generally assert dominance.

Our weapon of choice was one of humanity’s oldest tools: the scythe. This ancient innovation allowed early farmers to harvest standing upright rather than stoop over sickles—no doubt prompting a collective scythe of relief. It’s still the most effective tool in wildlife‑rich spaces like Aston’s Eyot, where its quiet, precise, environmentally friendly sweep is far better suited than anything with an engine.

We made short work of weeding around the pond and opening up another stretch of path toward the Cherwell. The war on nettles and other weeds is never won at Aston’s Eyot, but Oxford GoodGym is always ready for the next skirmish.