It might have been blowing a hooley but that didn't deter our hard-working team, including Isabella who was joning her first Merton session. Maggie set us to work clearing leaves (the wind had already made a start) and planting, while Williams spent his second day in a row taking care of compost! The local residents are all super appreciative and one even donated a chocolate cake. As the evenings are getting shorter, we ended the session in head torches. This may be our last evening here for a while but it will be lovely to see the fruits of our labour come spring.

The tranquil garden is looking lovely and we were able to see how the log work we did last time has been transformed into seating. Tonight we were tasked with painting the wooden planters green and gold, as well as moving logs and clearing some brambles. It was great to see Georgina, who popped by while doing a litter pick. With her arm on the mend, hopefully she will be back at sessions soon. The nights are drawing in, so we were working in darkness by the end of the task but hopefully the results will be brush-taking! Thanks to Maggie, who lives nearby, for kindly donating some post-session chocolate, meaning that team green and team gold were transformed into team mint and team orange.

This was our first time helping 1st Merton Park Scouts at one of their working parties. There were plenty of tasks to be done under Emma's guidance and it was interesting to explore the two wartime air raid shelters where camping equipment is stored. As well as sorting and carrying, and collecting rusty saws, we were tasked with putting up an 8-person tent in the field. This was quite a challenge, especially as the poles turned out to be the wrong length. I don't think we'll be winning the Krypton Factor any time soon!

It's always fun helping out at Deen City Farm as we get to visit the animals and support the team with practical jobs. This afternoon Goodgym members from Merton, Wandsworth, Croydon and Ealing stopped by to help decorate for the Barn Dance.

It was great to see some new faces and chat a little as we got busy with bunting, gazebo building, and plenty of creative touches to make the venue look yeeee-ha!

Congratulations to Steve on your first Goodgym task and we hope to see everyone again very soon.

The team was on a mission to move a mountain of soil from the pavement to the beds on the platform! We didn't quite crack the logistics of timing the bucket filling with carrying and delivering along the platform, but we certainly got a great workout from all the shoveling, lifting, and climbing up the steps. We also enjoyed the added bonus jobs of sweeping up spillages both on and off the platform (oops!) and some watering up on the embankment. It was a productive evening and a great opportunity for a social afterwards in the nearby Raynes Park Tavern to meet everyone properly.