Six goodGymers met in Desborough Park on a warm summer evening. The ground had been baked solid so the task had changed from digging a garden bed to cutting ivy and litter picking. The task owner was suddenly taken ill so couldn't make it. There we were, clueless and directionless but in true GoodGym fashion, we made something out of nothing!

Angela and Viv got started on litter picking, accompanied by the very clever Flora (the way she persisted to find that tennis ball inside the dense bush was applause worthy!). Jess, Kanika and Diya got started on trimming the ivy around the community centre building. Joanne from Wild Maidenhead and Councillor Jack advised we cut the stems 1.5mt from the ground and the tops would just wither and fall off. Jack and Joanne then proceeded to water the beds at the top of the park.

Kanika set high standards with an impressive, clear line where she had cut the ivy. Jess promptly followed in her footsteps creating an admirable line. Diya definitely came last in this neatness category!

Ivy trimming was hard work - dry, dusty, not easily accessible but we made a fair go at it. Viv and Angela joined us after a round of litter picking and relieved our tired arms.

It might not look like much but we got there in the end!

Bootifull in so many ways. A van-load of plants that had been used for the show plot at Hampton Court Flower Show needed to be unloaded back at Nature's Haven. Unfortunately the van had broken down in Cookham, but the contents still needed to be brought home. Claire managed to borrow a pick-up truck and arrived at the community centre with the boot full to the brim with plants. Many of the plants were planted in welly boots. Sheila, Angela and Jack helped unload all of the plants of all shapes and sizes. While Angela and Sheila watered them all, Jack and Claire went off for a second load. Eventually they were all off the truck, given a good drink and await planting in their new home

Made decent progress, very satisfying, Andrew got to try out his new toy after our work painting on the goo was complete. Hope you can 'tag' along next time :)

Nine Goodgymers turned up at Nature's Haven to up-cycle some old doors into a greenhouse. Plenty of sandpaper was used to smooth the edges and remove the old varnish. Door furniture was removed and dusted down.The spider living in the key hole didn't look too healthy so was rehoused under some leaves! There was plenty of teamwork making the dream work! The evening was rounded off with some very welcome hot drinks and toasted marshmallows around the fire pit. We look forward to returning next week for part 2!

7 Goodgymers attended the Maidenhead Community centre to help mend chairs. A satisfying but fiddly task with a production line quickly set up.

Tony with the drill to widen the holes of the previously ineffective plastic attachments. Sol, Jen, Angela and Sheila on the delicate task of inserting the receiving bolt into the top of the seat and hiding it beneath the fabric.

Matt was in control of screwing the seat to the frames before the final quality control station manned by Jack.

The experienced among us brought crotchet hooks and made quick work of getting stuck in and keeping the production line going.

We lost a screwdriver and searched high and low to find it back safely in the toolbox. The joys of searching in the sofas brought out all sorts of delights from their former owners. But this time a domino and Scrabble piece for our efforts.

All tidied and hoovered before time was up.

9 litter picking fanatics met at Maidenhead Community Centre to embark on their evening's task.

After a swift briefing, and a reminder not to eat, drink or lick anything picked up, the team collected litter picks and bags and made their way into Kidwells Park.

The team spread out across the park, one group headed to the underpass and the car park opposite as Adam and Jen had keenly spotted litter in that area on their way to the meet point. The other group stayed in the park and beat the boundaries snaffling the litter up as they went. Jack also spent some time cleaning up some graffiti on benches and bins in the park.

After an hour the team migrated back to the community centre to compare hauls. Although we were pleased with the amount we had done, it was sad to see how much we could collect in a relatively short amount of time.

Juli even managed to collect another bag load on her walk home!

A lovely, relaxing evening spent with fabulous Goodgymmers - well done everyone!