We had a glorious summer evening for our Group Run task this week. Our project took us to the far field at Ockwells Park in Maidenhead where Ranger Tom had asked for our help to protect the new forest they have been created there for the past few months.

We couldn't let the grass grow under our feet as we needed to clear weeds away from around the young trees that were growing strong - they are getting so tall now. Then we had to add some mulch around the base of the trunk to help protect them further.

Anthony got straight to work with the wheelbarrow, helped by the fluffy Fleur, and ferried the mulch into the far corners of the field where Amy, Amanda and Emily had cleared some space around the tree base. There were some tough weeds but Clara made short work of them whilst Claire and Gillian worked near the fence and chipping away at the pile of mulch ensuring all the trees were protected.

We were surprised to find lots of oak saplings dotted that had sprouted up which we think were back from when GoodGym planted acorns many months ago. It was so lovely to see them dotted about the field peeping through the ground. Eventually we had to tear Georgeta away from the rescue but we will all be back very soon as there is still much to do.

Thanks to Lou for the Royally appropriate title pun, and thanks to Anna for singing a little ditty to inspire the bulk of this evening's report...

We were meant to be helping Wild Eton Wick this evening, but had a last minute cancellation. So thank goodness Holyport FC got in touch! The conversation unfolded a bit like this:

There are pot-holes in our access road, dear GoodGym, dear GoodGym, there are pot-holes in our access road, dear GoodGym, pot-holes!

With what shall we fix them, dear Holyport FC, dear Holyport FC, with what shall we fix them, dear Holyport, with what?

With shingle, spades and barrows, dear GoodGym, dear GoodGym, with shingle, spades and barrows, dear GoodGym, with shingle!

We'll also need some cookies, dear Holyport, dear Holyport, we'll also need some cookies, dear Holyport, cookies!

There are only so many 'dear GoodGyms' and 'dear Holyports' I can type before I start to lose the plot, so I'll keep it short.

In the end, we didn't just tackle the task with great gusto, and eat cookies (thanks Lou!), we also had an energetic (and surprisingly dry) run/walk to and from the task, took selfies with a Royal cow, talked a lot about food, sang songs about buttercups and Snow White, did a quick fitness circuit including boxing and the can can, read poetry and chatted about social visits. All in all, a (pot)hole lotta fun!

Last night we returned to Braywick Heath Nurseries to shifts lots more stuff and make some top notch before and after photos. It was great to welcome Katie to her first big Wednesday evening session, and to see everyone else's lovely faces too.

A very, very special mention to Jenni, who was joining us for her 501st good deed, having celebrated her big 500 with Ealing last month. Jenni was one of the first GoodGymers I ever met (on a Foodbank mission in Acton before GoodGym Windsor & Maidenhead even existed) and she came to our launch. As a Taskforce member and Run Leader, she has not only done heaps of good deeds herself, but she has also helped lots of other people to do good things. She has moved a bit closer to us, so we hope to see lots more of her. Also, well done Anna, for apparently recruiting Jenni in the first place!

The right Kit for the job

Richt, back to reporting on the evening's events: we met at the task to make the most of the daylight, and task owner Kit briefed us on everything that needed shifting.

A hop, skip and a dump

First up was to shift a big pile of old planks into the skip. Taking care of the plentiful rusty nails, Jenni, Garry, Rachel, Diya, Anna and I hopped to it. No one wants to hold a plank for too long, so we quickly (but neatly) dumped everything into the skip.

Pallet cleansers

Meanwhile, Kanika, Gillian, Katie and Emily got stuck into another big job - shifting stacks of heavy pallets through a polytunnel and stacking them on the other side of the site. As the plank crew ran out of planks, we joined the pallet crew and we made the most of our return journeys to shift more scrap wood and chicken wire back to the skip.

Heavy sleepers

We were pretty tired by this point, so it was time for a big sleep(er...or eight)! Garry did an amazing job shifting these huge pieces of wood (and their resident spiders) onto a trolley and through the polytunnel. I helped until I was sacked and replaced by Anna, who did not sleep(er) on the job.

Heavy metal

Last on the to do list was to shift a pile of old polytunnel roof poles across the site, ready to be sold for scrap metal. In this task we showed both strength and balance, just like all good pole dancers, and then we stripped off to show off our...

...GOODGYM T-SHIRTS (of course!) in our final group photos. It was an excellent workout and we made a huge difference. Kit was really grateful for everyone's hard work.

A flying finish

Some of the group then had to fly, so set off for home. Kudos to Kanika and Diya, who were on their bikes. Well done to Gillian and Emily, who joined me for a 2.5km lap of the Nature Reserve. It was a joy except for all the pesky flies!

We heard Woodlands Park Primary had a large fence in need of some GoodGym love, so we Raleigh-ed the troops and dashed over to brush up on our painting skills.

This week was special because we were celebrating the new partnership between GoodGym and the bicycle company Raleigh. Well done to Amy R, Diya and Kanika, who wheely got into the bicycle frame of mind and cycled to and from the school. And thanks to Raleigh for the treats! Some people missed out when we shared them out at the end, so I'll bring them along next week for you.

It was a beautiful sunny evening to be out and great to have so many sign ups. We split into smaller groups of cyclists, runners, wunners, ralkers and walkers and formed a sort of chain on the way to the school. Thanks to Kelley, Jess, Nicola, Sophie and Jen, who helped with navigating and leading the various groups on the way there and back. We didn't want anyone forking off and getting lost!

At the school we were met by task owner Mr Miles, who led us down the purple carpet to the fence around the swimming pool, and we wasted no time in having a dip. Not a dip in the pool, a dip of brushes into fence paint! GoodGym haven't stretched to run, walk, cycle and swim...yet. Well done to Kate and Clara, who tackled some weeding too.

Painting progress was speedy, and in 45 minutes we had completed over half the fence - around 15 panels. By now it was getting very chilly, so there was only one thing for it...it was time for the Tour de Woodlands Park Primary! The peloton set off (on foot but at velo-city) around the school track and then tackled the obstacle course. Well done all!

Before we headed off Diya spoke up and made sure we had a group photo, then we ran, walked and cycled into the sunset and towards the aforementioned Raleigh treats. When the runners had almost reached Wessex Way, Georgeta was very unlucky to have a fall, having got her feet caught in a piece of wire that had been left on the pavement. Thanks to Gillian and Sophie for helping to pick her up and get her home safely. Georgeta we all wish you a speedy recovery.

Well done again to everyone who came out and GoodGymed. Raleigh great progress on the task and Raleigh great to see you all!