Sadly the mission was rained off due to Storm Amy. I was still given a tour of the community garden and orchard and there's plenty of work to do for intrepid GoodGymers. Look out for another mission at the Community Garden soon.

Another trip to the Northcliffe Community Garden and another chance to attack the big dirt mountain and continue turning it into a rock garden.

New member Keira joined us and got stuck in to the task. Rachel had done a great job previously with the mound but the recent weather had led to an explosion of doc leaves, nettles, thistles and bindweeds.

It was hard work to get the weeds out all the way to the roots but our work was rewarded with tea and biscuits. We then attacked the larger weeds with the mattocks and realised using those earlier would have made lighter work of task. But wheres the fun in that??

For the last twenty minutes we covered most of the area we had cleared with stones that should prevent some of the weeds coming back and make the mound much more pleasant to look at. Plenty more to do though so we'll be back again next month 😁

The Rockwell Community Centre reached out needing some extra pair of hands.

GoodGymers, and with the help of other volunteers, spent the day helping at the centre. The nursery in the centre needed some extra attention and GoodGymers were able to help out with the moving of furniture, dusting off the walls, duct taping items that couldn't be moved or removed and then finally some painting.

We managed to complete a second coat of painting around corners and edges.

Staff at the centre really appreciated our support. And we appreciated the free meal and drinks.

Another good workout! Looking forward to a next time.

Our return trip to the Northcliffe Community Garden saw new member Hikesh complete his first task and more progress on the rockery and clearing the paths and features.

The community garden was looking great and we could really see the difference by the end.

With the summer announcing its arrival by trying to melt the pavements, it was great to find some shade for some balsam bashing with Northcliffe Allotments and the Friends of Northcliffe. The Balsam had taken over several areas near the miniature railway so there was plenty to go at.

The park was really peaceful and i had chance to talk to Val and Margot about how GoodGym started and the benefits we can bring to Bradford as it grows. Further Balsam bashing sessions are coming up in July, watch this space!

i forgot to take a picture of any Balsam so ive added a picture of me enjoying the heat instead.

We spent a very happy morning at Hirst Wood helping to clear ivy, brambles and moss from the graves at the burial site there. The site opened in 1895 as an extension of the graveyard at St Paul's in Shipley and has become neglected since active use ended in, we think, the 1940s.

We tidied up several graves, including the grave of one of the Bradford Pals regiment who died in action in July 1916, and was buried at Hirst Wood with both his parents. It was great exercise and the other volunteers from Hirst Wood Regeneration Group were incredibly welcoming. They also provided fabulous homemade cake!

We will be running future missions here so watch this space!