3 GoodGym volunteers helped Jack shift soil ready for new raised beds at Pembury Community Garden.

Once the community garden was located and the team found a work around to accessing the soil, which was within a locked garden area of the estate (solution = climbing over the fence), the task went ahead, as GoodGym joined Jack and the team for their regular growing session!

A true GoodGym workout with some extra problem-solving thrown in for good measure!

Great to meet first-timer, Brandon.

With 6 planters to fill, we'll be back at Pembury for more soil-shifting soon.

The sun was definitely out for event #322 at the Fields this morning, and it drew a large crowd of 38 runners (and encouragers), which gave run director Rue a chance to use his persuasion skills to rope in a few of the parents as extra hi viz volunteers. With the course set up, and tasks allocated, it was on to the customary announcements, and then Rue leading his Hackney Haka warm up.

And then they were off, and it wasn't too long before the front runners were heading down the finishing straight, where we saw a close finish as the first four were within 6 seconds of each other. Nick on finish tokens needed to be quick with the handing out...

Our last runner came across the line with a broad smile on her face, and after everyone had caught their breath, it was a quick pack up and we were done for another week - 5 first timers, of which for 3 this was their first ever parkrun, and 9 PBs, so another successful Sunday morning at the Fields!

Matt and Anne were on hand to help tidy up the front garden, which had be one overgrown with grass, brambles and an assortment of other vegetation which was to be removed.

Task Owner, Alice, had already made a start in the week and was glad of the extra help to get the job finished.

As ever, the biggest challenge was what lay beneath the surface, to ensure roots were lifted along with the rest of the plant. And then after extracting the whole plant, shaking the soil off the roots so there was still something to plant fresh flowers and shrubs in. A few interesting 'historical finds' were also made, prompting the questions, how long does it take for a crisp packet to rot?, and when was scaffolding invented? Neither of which anyone could answer, although probably in the case of both, the answer is 'longer than you might think'.

The trio were given encouragement and thanks from the neighbours, as well as the offer of fresh espresso, which although declined, prompted a further question - how much quicker would the task get done if we were fueled by caffeine?

A scientific experiment for another day, perhaps.

Soup delivered from Humdingers, a local kitchen consisting of 2 bowls of vegetable soup, lentils, and bread to Mrs N in London Fields

Conditions in the skies were distinctly uncertain at the Fields this morning as the team celebrated event #321, but the clouds didn't put off the 18 enthusiastic junior parkrunners or the 10 willing high vizzed volunteers.

Sooz successfully requisitioned a few additional volunteers to be Marshalls around the course, and then led the warm up under the big tree, and at just after 9 it really was "3,2,1" and the familiar rush to the first turning point.

Fortunately it was dry underfoot, so no slips or slides along the way, and just over 9 minutes later we had our first finisher, followed by the 17 other runners and walkers, all cheered enthusiastically down the finishing straight. With 2 first timers and 5 personal bests it was clearly another successful morning on the course.

Same time next week under the big tree for more fun at the Fields.

Behind the doors of an unassuming warehouse in Stamford Hill is a treasure trove of furniture, clothes, toys, kitchen ware, building materials, bicycle parts, and much more besides, all collected by charity, Streetbox and their friends to create a new community cafe, commercial kitchen, and workshop space to help tackle food waste and fight food poverty.

Today's task was to sort items and make space for the delivery of..... more building materials! (salvaged, of course), to progress the next stage of the project - structural works including a new roof.

Sana, Rob and Anne gave up some of their Bank Holiday Saturday to lend a hand. Chris from Streetbox explained the background of the project and directed goods to the correct areas. He also put in a lot of hard graft too.

There was all sorts to be sorted but soon the team were familiar with the allocated areas for different types of items and clothes mounds were growing, the building materials area started to look like a DIY store and the area of bulky furniture could have given IKEA a run for its money.

The growing pile of empty crates provided a measure of progress while the mound of items for out was a source of catharsis. Key finds were a karaoke machine which looked like a pedestal from The Weakest Link, and a vintage record player cabinet, both of which suggest there could be fun times ahead when the community cafe opens!

Before then, more help will be required to load and unload building materials for the structural works; and then later when the space is transformed and more operational, to help sort food for distribution, so keep an eye open for more sessions to help this exciting project.