Brixton Windmill

A little bit of history in central Brixton!

The Friends of Windmill Gardens (FoWG) were formed in 2003 with three aims:

  • to get the Grade II listed Brixton Windmill restored and opened for public visits – in 2002 it had been put on English Heritage's buildings at risk register;
  • to make Windmill Gardens park a more welcoming space for local people;
  • to have a new education centre at the windmill.

Windmill Gardens gained a Green Flag Community Award in 2015 and we have just been judged again so our fingers are crossed that we will retain the award for the next two years.

249 GoodGymers have supported Brixton Windmill with 107 tasks.


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Previous sessions
LambethGroup run
YiannyBen MargerisonMichael WelshTilly Baker HineAdam WestPerdita Hatton-BrownEmmanouil Bakantakis

Manure-vering Excellence: A Ground-Breaking Run!!

Tuesday 3rd June

Written by Yianny (he / him)

Last night's group run was truly the root of all good things! Our dedicated runners (Manos, Michael and AA) set off from Papa's Park and made tracks to Windmill allotments, where we dug deep to support Annick and our local growing community.

Mission Accomplished! Our fantastic volunteers really grew into their roles, tackling essential maintenance tasks that will help the allotment flourish. The team split the work beautifully, ensuring no stone was left unturned:

Weed Clearance: Our runners showed they weren't afraid to get down and dirty, pulling up unwanted plants with determination. They really weeded out the competition when it came to thoroughness!

Skip Filling: The wheelbarrow brigade worked tirelessly, wheeling and dealing their way through piles of garden waste. Talk about moving mountains one barrow at a time!

Manure Transport: Our soil-diers demonstrated that when it comes to community service, they're not afraid of the dirty work. They really knew how to spread the love around the allotment!

Every single runner deserves recognition for their outstanding performance. From start to finish, the group showed they have the right stuff when it comes to putting down roots in the community. Their efforts will help ensure the allotment continues to be a place where great things can grow.

A massive thank you to all our incredible volunteers who proved that when we work together, we can really make something beautiful bloom. Your hard work and positive attitudes made the evening truly ground-breaking. You've shown that GoodGym Lambeth runners are always ready to turn over a new leaf for their community!

Until our next mission, keep growing strong!

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LambethGroup run
YiannyBen MargerisonMichael WelshTilly Baker HineFiPerdita Hatton-BrownEmmanouil Bakantakis

Water Palaver - Hose, Hoes, Ho at Brixton Windmill !!

Tuesday 20th May

Written by Yianny (he / him)

GG Lambeth were back at it yesterday evening in the first group session post Shindig so lots of energy and enthusiasm for our task.

We had Manos, Michael, Tilly, Ben and AA Yianny gather at Papa's Park in the setting sunshine (the last of it for the week it looks like) ready to set off on the uphill run to BWG.

Once Perdie and Fi arrived we were met by our fantastic hosts Jean and Annick as usual joined also by Louie and the tasks were meted out - connecting the water hose to reach the far end of the playground planters and weeding all the invasive greenery that had accumulated along the side of the building.

Hoes were passed around, litter pickers picked and black bags grabbed and so we were off and at it. Importantly the hose (not hoes) didn't quite reach far enough despite a bag full of connectors and the need for an engineering degree to figure them out and so we had a watering can relay from the trampoline to the planters.

The task itself proved more challenging than it appeared but the group made a big impact in our time there however the most interesting element was Ben having an 80s classic one hit wonder stuck in his head, which he then shared and got stuck in everyone else's as well! (Did you know you can hum a tune into a well know search app and it will tell you the song?! Well you can and we did - Tarzan Boy by Baltimora!)

And so we wrapped it there plenty of good done and plenty of getting fit to boot. Big thanks to all and look forward to seeing you next week!

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LambethGroup run
marie noelle VieuYiannyJordan RoysterFi

A Lot (ment) of Fun in the Gardens!!

Tuesday 22nd April

Written by Yianny (he / him)

The crew was back last night meeting up at Papa's ready to head out and meet Annick and Jean over at the Brixton Allotments.

First up a very warm welcome to Jordan who was joining for her first Group Run with the Lambeth team - great to have you with us Jordan!

Fi joined us and we set off on a nice bright run round to the back of HMP Brixton and then on to the allotments, arriving just our walkers Marie-Noelle and Paul were striding up.

Our tasks this evening were to remove the broken greenhouse which was locked in an embrace with a tree that had grown around it, lots of weeding and clearing, rolling up some old carpet and laying down some new and moving the patio table over to the dancefloor which we had previously helped to lay last year!

By 8pm we had completed all the tasks (surprising our hosts) and were ready to set off but not before Annick had shared a beautiful bunch of forget me nots, some leek and baby kale all pulled straight from the ground and ready to be cooked up that evening.

Huge thanks to all and we look forward to seeing you next time - roll on summer tasks!!

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LambethGroup run
marie noelle VieuYiannyMichael WelshLindy Macfarlane
FiWill

Red Sky at Night - Allotment Delight !!

Tuesday 17th September 2024

Written by Yianny (he / him)

Last night we had a perfect two for one task and Group Run for the Lambeth Group - first Task Force hero Jo was leading a mission to help out at TRAID in Brixton to put out the new sale stock, followed by a run up to the allotments to help out Jean and Annick.

Michael, AA Yianny and Fi met Jo at TRAID and helped out till the task was (v. quickly) finished and were ready to set off however one of our group hadn't seen the message to meet there so we popped back to Papa's on a search and collect mission.

Will was however many steps ahead and had figured out that he should head straight to the task location, a tactic also employed by Paul, Marie-Noelle and Lindy (great to have you back with us Lindy!).

We were accompanied by a stunning deep red sunset as we ran up Brixton Hill and across to the task to meet everyone however that also meant fading light so we didn't have long on arrival. Luckily with a few people arriving from 7pm we got plenty of work done including moving timber and perspex, weeding, putting green and waste in the skip and lifting the paving stones so Annick could weed underneath.

We did uncover a red ant nest / colony under the stones and one particularly angry resident decided to take a couple of bites out of AA's ankle (I can report no lasting damage so don't worry all ;0) but other than that all went smoothly and conversation revolved around the beauty of the night sky when you can actually see it - pro tip leave London!

Big thanks to all and see you next time!

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LambethGroup run
marie noelle VieuYianny
Michael Welsh

Minty Fresh and Chard for Days !!

Tuesday 3rd September 2024

Written by Yianny (he / him)

Last night's session was back with our friends Jean and Annick of Windmill Gardens fame.

First up though we were delighted to welcome back John who had been away from all things GG for a short time (just the 5 years then) but was once again back with us - welcome back John!

A nice easy run up Brixton Hill for Michael, AA Yianny and John where we were met by the Windmill Gardens team and our intrepid walkers - Marie-Noelle and Paul who were already hard at work chopping back the growth along the back fence.

The remaining team were put to work on the wheat patch pulling out the rather unsuccessful harvest from this year and getting it ready and turned over to receive the next crop. We were lucky to be surrounded by wafting scents of mint throughout making it a lovely evening of helping out.

Check out the before and after pics - plenty of work got done, plenty of getting fit and doing good as well.

Thanks to all and I look forward to seeing you next time!

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LambethGroup run
Joao Fernandes
FiWillNancy Bui

A Lot (ment) of Fun!!

Tuesday 13th August 2024

Written by Yianny (he / him)

The Lambeth GoodGym crew were back out to help Annick and Jean down at the Brixton Allotments.

It was also a first Group Run for Nancy so it was great to have you with us!

The team helped carry on the good work started a month ago and check out the great pics to see how it looked.

Huge thanks to all and see you next week :0)

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