This week our Group Run took us to the Welcare garden where we were tasked by Sue to hack back the weeds which had started taking over the pathway. The smaller kids were struggling to get round on their wheeled tricycles as the unwanted plants were getting so big. Jassy, Sevan, Sabir, Tom, Rachel and new GoodGym member Jorge (welcome!) got straight to it.

Loppers, trowels, forks and secateurs all were used in the battle to gain control over the pesky weeds and we all started in different sections in the garden. Moving slowly round until we all met up after the hour was passed, finishing the area by the outhouse. Jassy tested out the ease at which a small tricycle could travel on the newly-weeded path and found it to be satisfactory. Tools down! Task complete.

Once all the weeds and leaves were bagged up, we chatted with Sue about her plans for Welcare. Decorating an internal room was high on her list, the roof needed to go on the outhouse before it needed painting and there was a potential idea to help sort the basement. Watch the calendar for the tasks as they come through!

It was a great evening - well done to everyone that helped with the task.

The heavens opened today and when it rained it was torrential. Plans of painting the Welcare outbuilding and fence were dashed from the first drop. It didn't stop us hardy GoodGymers though and we made a break in-between the big grey clouds and fortunately it held off whilst we did our task. Jassy took the front building and tidied up the weeds that were making it look messy so that it would look it's best for the Jubilee street party. Dave, Scott, Claire and Tara took the back garden and cleared the paths pulling out weeds and rehoming the interesting coloured snails and bugs that were found.

We were all sad that we couldn't improve the look of the outbuilding so we made a 2nd attempt task for the end of June when hopefully the weather will be warmer and less prone to stormy weather. If you can make it please sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/project-wall-paint-for-welcare-2nd-attempt

A special GoodGym night it was as our very own Martel finally logged 100 good deeds. Although we all know that she has done way more behind the scenes and she should have reached this goal a long time ago - she has officially reached 100! Congratulations on your achievement - can't wait to see your red t-shirt with wings soon.

To celebrate we did our group run to Welcare - a charity devoted to working with families with young children - and we saw the garden in full bloom. Beautiful tulips and daffodils provided an splash of colour and we worked hard to weed between the bulbs without damaging them. Lots of sycamore saplings needed to be removed and a carpet of borage - too much self-seeding would have them take over this pretty garden and destroy our previous hard work planting. A little robin even came to inspect our work as we toiled in the soil.

The time went very quickly as we chatted with Aruna and soon it was time to collect our things and head off. Can't wait to see the progress on our next visit.

Another trip to Welcare to plant more bulbs and I can honestly say that I can't wait for Spring to see it in full bloom. So many bulbs were planted that we were finding pre-planted bulbs from the previous session. A mixture of daffodils, snowdrops and tulips were all put in the ground so it really will be the Welcare Flower Show. Adam, Freya and myself worked diligently and after an hour we had many empty bulb bags to show for our efforts. Can't wait to see it later this year!

Not as instant or as easy as a Xmas lights switch on!

GoodGym and Welcare Kingston will have to be a little more patient to see the fruits of their labour!

On the shortest day of the year Winter Soltice and a suitably cold night, 4 Goodgymers of Dave, Claire, Anita and Jane with extra hubbie power from Simon and help from Aruna from Welcare planted we reckon 100 bulbs a head (a head torch head!)

We can’t wait for hopefully a spring switch-on - of a medley of snowdrops, daffs, tulips and alliums! For the families of Welcare to enjoy in this invaluable community garden.

Welcare’s presence in Kingston has been and remains a vital building block that has helped many parents develop lifelong supportive friendships. WelCare’s services empower parents.

This bulb planting project was thanks to MPLG and Taylor’s bulbs competition where Goodgym and Welcare won an allocation of bulbs for the community.

On a dark dark night, in a dark dark garden, 5 GoodGymers lent a hand with some tidying up. But GoodGymers aren't scared of the dark, at least not when Rachel has a bagful of headtorches and an floodlight handy! Veg beds and paving were weeded and old tomato plants cleared away. Sacks and sacks of leaves were raked and gathered and shrubs were pruned. A final sweep of the floors left the area looking dreamy. Even though it wasn't yet midnight, the carriage had already turned into a pumpkin (or rather a variety of squashes), so we tucked the tools away in the shed and said goodnight. We plotted a return next spring to plant some lavenders, inspired by Tom's green thumb. Then Petra and Marie-Noelle went for a night cap at the pub, and Rachel bought some bread... presumably to leave a trail of crumbs on her run home!