We've had an overwhelming response to the call to donate to the local FoodShare, while out running or walking or cycling! So much so that I was inspired to write a little poem... and that is big, given that last time I tried, you could say it was under duress - school homework. * Well done everyone, amazing work! * Here we go, verses are mainly mine, but ran it under ChatGPT for a bit of refinement.

• We run, we walk, We skip, we hop, With bags of goodies—plop plop plop! At the Foodshare collection point we land, Lending a very helpful hand.
• Well done to you, you GoodGym lot, Every tin and packet means a lot. People will love the food, we hope, Fuelled by kindness, carbs, and hope.
• With lovely bright pics in the report on show, For all to smile at, cheer, and know— That a jog, a snap, a small kind deed, Can help a whole community feed.

🥫🏃‍♀️💛

Hedgelaying at Battlemead Common was a quintessential GoodGym experience - outdoor, active, social and an opportunity to learn new skills. On a mild winter morning, seven GoodGymers met Braywick Rangers, WildCookham and local conservation volunteers to lay part of the wildlife hedge at Battlemead, along the Thames Path.

Today was day 2 of this activity and many present had already made a solid start yesterday. After the safety briefing, Ranger Tom gave us an introduction to hedgelaying: an ancient method to create natural barriers for wildlife and allow smaller animals to hide or travel along a safe corridor without being exposed to danger.

This is done by "pleaching" or laying down the 7 yr old trees which were planted for this purpose, making it a living structure! The trees are pleached (partially cut and bent), laid down, held in place with "weaving" the intertwining branches, held in place with stakes. Finally covered with "brash" (bush and branches which are cut away to make room to build the hedge) to prevent deer from eating berries and young shoots which will cover it soon.

So much to learn! Such a fascinating practice and fun as well!

We divided ourselves into groups: Angela, Viv, Diya and Nick tried their hand at pleaching. It was surprisingly nerve-wracking because you didn't want to be the one who cut through the whole thing killing the tree! Sheila, Kanika and Juli worked with Jane in weaving the hedge. The huge mallet for the stakes was a crowd favourite! Diya later worked with Ranger Rosie to cut branches to size and turn into stakes while Nick tried his hand at the stakes as well.

2 hours flew by and while some of us left at different times, Sheila stayed for the whole session, even recruiting Jane for GoodGym. Welcome Jane!

We'll be going back on 31st Jan/1st Feb, be sure to come along.

Inspired by Sheila's very Ghostbusters-esq photo, I present to you, the... Litter Busters! (thanks ChatGPT)

Trash on the sidewalk, bottles by the wall,

Wrappers in the bushes, having a ball?

Grab your bag and gloves, stand proud and tall,

Who you gonna call? Litter Busters!

From parks to lanes, streets big and small,

We clean it together, answering the call.

Making spaces better for one and for all,

Who you gonna call? Litter Busters! 🧹✨

Great to see another big number of GoodGymers get out there in the wind & rain, and tackle the ever-present rubbish in their local areas.

While some (like Sheila, Rachel & Diya) did it as a group, some went out in pair with their pets, and many did solo picks in places which needed it most.

GoodGym tasks are fun together but this format has given people a lot of flexibility, because of which we have larger coverage and a lot less litter on our streets. Win Win!