“We’ll give it a go, and we’ll get a lot done, but we won’t clear all of it” was my opinion. The task was to dig out a deep, wide load of soil from a planter - which got firmer and firmer, the deeper we got - and shovel it into large bags and wheelbarrows

Others were more optimistic, and I should have dug deep into my memory to remember the many times we’d achieved such an objective in the past. And it was the whole team who dug deep into our physical resources to complete the task – including demolishing and disposing of the planter - with fully ten minutes to spare!

Star of the task was Tom, who’s speedy shovelling of huge amounts of soil had to be seen to be believed. But everyone was on top digging form – and a similar exercise was going on the other side of Rocky Park

The good news is that friends-of-GoodGym Margaret and Ash have somehow raised enough money to build the last of their new community garden beds, with improved accessibility. So we’ll be back in December to help them with that!

Meanwhile, join us on Sunday at 10:30 to help our old friends Catherine and Liam, at the allotments just off Roman Road: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/improving-allotments-near-roman-road-2c26b74e-d164-411a-946b-406aeb52aebd

And next Monday night we’re back at the Parkview Estate: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-big-monday-night-task-painting-and-gardening-on-the-parkview-estate-be901ab4-f1c1-495c-9758-1ba4ddd819cd

There was a really good turn out and all amazing people....

The weather was good and I think it's fair to say everyone put in an awesome amount of effort and had a really good day.

There is an amazing feeling of well-being when such a great bunch of people come together for a good cause.

Kevin

Bright and breezy lots of fun... Was the agenda for everyone!

Rocky Park's a smashing place, just tucked away from the beaten track. I would never know it was there if not for today.

They are so well organized and it really goes to show how well things can be when people get together in such a positive way.

I enjoyed my time at this mission today and it was great to meet other GoodGym runners.

Looking forward to tomorrow guys.

Kevin.

We were back at the Hollybush Estate this evening, rolling up our sleeves (and working up a sweat!) as we helped Margaret and Ash shift mulch from Middleton Green over to Rocky Park. Teamwork made light work of those heaping barrow-loads, and we definitely got our steps in along the way. 💪🌱

A big shout-out and warm welcome to Ciarán, who joined us for his very first GoodGym session, thank you for jumping straight in and lending such great energy! It was also fantastic to catch up with John, Charlie, Ivo, Lucinda, and Martin, so good to see you back after a little while away. And of course, we can’t forget our four-legged cheerleaders, Basil and Wicket, who kept spirits high with their wagging tails. 🐾

On an exciting note, you may have seen that GoodGym was recently named one of the winners of Sky’s Zero Footprint Fund 🎉, which will help us share our sustainable mission even further. As part of the project, we’ll be creating a TV ad to air next spring. We’re planning to be back at Hollybush Estate this Sunday (28th) at 10:30 AM to film some content for the commercial. If you’re free, come along and be part of something special, we’d love to have as many of you there as possible!

Background to today’s task

13 colleagues from Rabobank volunteered their time at the Grow to Share initiative this afternoon, a project based in Rocky Park Community Garden, Bethnal Green.

Grow to Share brings people together to grow food, learn new skills, and maintain a welcoming, fruitful, outdoor environment in the heart of East London.

The initiative doesn’t receive any funding, so today’s contribution from the team really did make a difference as Margaret, who runs the initiative, explained on our arrival.

All the produce from the garden, including the fruit trees in the orchard and potted plants, are shared among local residents and local community groups.

Our job today? To work alongside regular garden members Margaret and Ash on a range of seasonal tasks, from preparing beds and composting to planting and general maintenance.

And so to the start…

9 members of the team got the afternoon off to a thoroughly active start as they gathered in Reception at 60 London Wall before maintaining a decent-paced run along Bishopsgate, through Shoreditch and Bethnal Green before arriving at today’s task.

Cold water and a warm welcome from Margaret and Ash awaited us!

After a little background on GoodGym and the Estate’s work, and all its voluntary initiatives, the team set about tackling the numerous tasks prepared for them.

A busy afternoon

One team headed with a large board of wood to the back of the orchard. Once the wood had been established in its new home, the team set about repairing the sides of the compost bays, including reattaching a sad ornamental bumble bee.

Another team proceeded to clear the many, many weeds from the walkways around the planters.

“Why is this important?”

Margaret explained, “Weeding keeps clear access for garden users…Keeps the surfaces slip-free! It helps remove trip hazards. Essentially it’s good housekeeping in a garden used by so many.”

Another team were assigned to potting, planting and spreading mulch in some of the new border gardens.

With the compost bays tackled, the orchard team were then reassigned to other areas of the garden, including a clear out of the congested area by the hut.

It was a busy, busy hour and a quarter.

Pausing for a brief ice lolly break an hour-and-a-quarter in, we then wrapped up the last few tasks (including the report pun – thanks, Simon); shuttled the last couple of barrows of rubbish around the corner, cleared away, and enjoyed a top-to-toe stretch before heading back onto bustling Bethnal Green Road.

A fantastic afternoon’s contribution (confirmed by Margaret’s text following the task, “Thank you for today – a great group.”).

Indeed.

Until next time.

One by one GoodGymers gathered at tonight's task in Clarkson Street.

We were here tonight to help Margaret and Ash of the Teesdale and Hollybush TRA relocate a large mulch pile around the corner in the orchard area of Rocky Park.

Mulch helps the soil stay moist, reduces the need for watering, and keeps weeds in check. In the orchard, mulch protects tree roots, adds nutrients to the soil, and helps fruit trees grow stronger and healthier.

What looked like a manageable pile turned out to higher, denser and wider than it appeared, and so even with numerous wheelbarrow runs across the estate, the mound of mulch remained.

We took turns in filling wheelbarrows and shuttling them along Clarkson Street around the corner where Margaret was steadily raking the mulch across the orchard area.

We boosted step count, worked upper body and honed agility skills wheeling the barrows up the makeshift ramp.

And the time flew.

It seemed like we'd been working for no time at all before we were sweeping residual mulch off the pavement, gathering tools and - get this - enjoying ice lollies courtesy of Margaret.

Having posed for the all-important group shot and voted on the pun (thanks to Rose for tonight's winner - but thanks to Anna​ and the team for some top suggestions too ;) ) we headed out into another warm, sunny June evening.

Next week we're Columbia Road-bound for an SOS, sandpit-emptying task at a local school. Do join if you can!

Until then.