On a hot, humid and sticky Sheffield eve we welcomed a good gang to The Showroom including a new runner who got a very warm welcome.

A big hello to Katy. Please do give her a follow and we hope we see you again soon Katy!

We headed to The 5 Wiers Walk (5WW) and more specifically the Salmon Pastures area of this lovely if a little at times unloved walking and cycling route on the Walk Wheel & Cycle Trust's National Cycle Network.

This section of the 5WW is often covered with dust and glass from the neighbouring recycling center and also has some issues with the invasive species Himalyan Balsam which is best removed before it starts to seed and spread in August onwards.

We got straight to it after a quick brief from Gerry, with some cutting back, some sweeping, some litter picking and some bagging up the off cuts.

Once we were done the path was looking so much better with it being clearer, wider and less covered in glass from the recycling center.

Thanks to all who made it down and contributed to the improvements.

See you next week and happy running! :)

4 GoodGymers gathered at Braywick Heath Nurseries, who are still trying to sort their grounds out after nearly having to close at the end of last year. The gravel area running alongside the greenhouse has been invaded by lots of weeds, so taskowner Kate was keen that these should be pulled out before going to seed and blowing onto the rest of the nursery. We welcomed Lindsay to her very first GoodGym task, it was great to have her along too. The dry weather and membrane underneath meant that most weeds pulled out easily, but some were a bit tougher. We rewarded ourselves with some blackberries before cutting the brambles down. By the end of the session we had filled two big dumpy bags with the weeds and the area looked a whole lot better. Great work, team

On a very warm morning, Spital Cemetery workparty regulars Sue, Maggie and Sheila were joined by Yvonne and Hollie. Yvonne came fresh from her first W&M group session the previous evening, so it was great that she could join us again in a different location. It was Hollie's first ever GoodGym session, and she picked a hot one! We continued to work on a fallen obelisk and grave stone which had become heavily covered in holly and ivy, probably over a number of years. We cut away at the twisted stems slowly making progress to start to reveal the stonework underneath. Unfortunately some of the stone had already crumbled under pressure from the roots so we left some on to help stabilise the structure. We did however reveal some intricate carving, so look forward to uncovering some more at our next session. Great work by everyone in less than ideal conditions

Twelve of us gathered at the Ray Mill Island rise to help out with a few tasks.

Some took up the hose and watered the thirsty plants. 🌱🌿

Others took up saws and pulled out branches from among the brambles to use for a fern bed. 🪚🪾

And one took up a brush and painted some signs, in the exciting company of some rats 🖌️😬

Shout out to W&M newcomer Yvonne who joined us from Bracknell! Hope to see you back for more.

When we finished, it was time for a special celebration - Diya's 500th deed! We had delicious cake 🍰 - thanks Georgeta - with a clever topper (which flummoxed the only accountant amongst us!). Sheila made a beautiful medal 🏅 and had a great idea to have everyone say some words about Diya... here's the full list: Enthusiastic, Fun, Horse-manure, Kind, Thoughtful, Football, Warm, Camaraderie , Guinness, Friendship, Racquetball, Mad, Inclusive, Funny, Party girl, Always very hungry.

And we were all treated to Diya's biggest smile 😃 - warming our hearts on an already warm day! 🥵