What a glorious sunny morning for our final session of the year at the Community Hospice, working alongside head gardener, Jason 🌞🌿.

Today we embarked on new project, to take out a series of Buddleja davidii plants - aka 'The Butterfly Bush' - in a patch of ground that will eventually become a new flower bed. Big plants, big plans!

But what about the butterflies you might say? Jason explained that Buddleja is an invasive species and having been left untended these shrubs need to go. There are plenty more insect-friendly plants in the garden to support biodiversity.

So, for starters we cut back the branches. Sophie took charge of the telescopic loppers, reaching the lofty heights, while the rest of us tackled the lower areas.

Then it was out with the saws to cut through the thicker main stems. Such a buzz when each big portion came out and the view through to the are behind started to emerge.

Finally, lots of cutting with secateurs into smaller pieces from our felled timber, ready for the compost heap. This bit was surprisingly relaxing, just snipping and chatting.

Meanwhile, across the garden Rachel and our youngest helper carefully weeded a border. What a difference they made too.

Afterwards a few of us headed to the Hospice cafeteria for lunch, and some cute penguin biscuits.

That's one Buddleja down... just five more to go! Fancy lending a hand next time? We’d love to see you there 🌱💪

'Twas a cold winter night for the last group run of the year, but that didn't stop 2 keen GoodGymmers from braving the cold to do a spot of leafletting.

After collecting said leaflets from our trusty but flu-stricken run leader, I met up with Ivar at the start point. Ivar had decided to trust Google maps time estimates and had run part of the way for fear of being late - only to arrive 15 minutes early!

To avoid any further hypothermia from setting in, we skipped the usual warm-up routine and immediately set off towards our target streets. With no elf hats, but armed with our festive red GG tops and best season spirit, we worked up and down each street to meticulously drop the leaflets through every single chimney... well, letterbox. Even Father Christmas wouldn't be so efficient!

With all leaflets safely delivered, we parted with wishes for happy holidays (and snow for skiing). There's still one weekend left for last minute good-deeding at various parkruns before the Xmas break.

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!