Back at GG Richmond’s sponsored Three Pigeons Plot to remove more nettles and clear some space for recent donations and the plants we have been propagating from seed.

Unfortunately I suspect the nettles (like the dandelions and the Terminator) will be back, so the pun on Nettle Tea may be an exaggeration.

This GG Richmond Group Run session saw us tackling the weeds at The Three Pigeons Plot.

As well as three pigeons and a heron, we were accompanied by midges and biting insects who, like us, were making the most of a beautiful evening by the River Thames. Tackling some of the nettles in the Plot added to the stings and sorrows of volunteer gardening but Liz, Chris, Rosie and Anita ignored the bites and stings and got stuck-in with a chatty and transformative session of weeding, watering and sweeping, leaving our riverside Plot blooming and beautiful.

Good fortune also came with the discovery of a donation of plants (a peony, a rose and an exotic looking bulb ) hidden away in the border. So many thanks you to our mystery donor.

Lunchtime visit to GoodGym Richmond’s Sponsored Plots in Buccleuch Gardens to check out tasks for tonight’s Group Run session.

Also an opportunity to plant some more woodruff next to one of the benches and do a bit of gardening around the Arcade lawn including weeding and plantain pulling.

Not a bad way to spend a couple of hours on a sunny Monday.

Helping runners in the Ranelagh Half take water for drinks and pouring it over heads in the very hot morning weather! Enjoyed seeing people in action, cheering on, getting the cup handover technique perfected and catching up with Pippa!

What a beautiful morning greeted us on the Ham Lands this Saturday for our monthly contribution to the preservation of the nature reserve.

3 Richmond regulars were joined by Luis from GG Hounslow for our task, which this time was to uproot and cut back the Giant Dock growing out of control in the central part of the Ham Lands.

Armed with pick axes and loppers we set to work, enjoying the warm sunshine and beauty of the habitat. Sharon and Mark from the FOHL were also there and we made good progress getting rid of as many of the wild plants as possible to stop them spreading their seeds and gaining further territory.

Once our work was done we had a quick cuppa, then headed over to the Swiss Bakery for iced coffee and snacks.

Next up for the Ham Lands will be the session on 14th June - sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/goodgym-richmond-helping-the-happy-ham-landers-3f40f5bb-6c96-456a-af92-8cac87317b96

Commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday, 8 May 2025.

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day when Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies, Chris Ken and Anita spent time decorating one of GoodGym Richmond‘s sponsored plots in Buccleuch Gardens in order to remember and honour those who served in World War II and also the millions who lost their lives in the conflict.

Most of the 90+ reusable poppies had been premade from recycled clothing but the session started with a sewing bee where we made up further poppies from pre-cut petals and centres (cut out from a pre-loved faux suede coat bought from a car boot sale for £1) and then created the distinctive black centres of Flanders poppies using a permanent marker.

Half of puppies were combined with lengths of freshly cut ivy (weeded out of the adjacent border) to decorate seven withie wreaths that we then attached to the black railings of the arcade. The other poppies were wired onto the tips of the branches of the alder tree in the arcade lawn.

Taking the step ladder home at the end of the session there was an opportunity to walk across the nearby poppy-decorated pedestrian crossing on Petersham Road which marks the entrance to the Royal British Legion’s poppy factory.