AA Simon, Jack and Kathleen met up at the North London Cricket Club in Crouch End yesterday for a lunchtime CREOS task. Glenys, the head volunteer for Crouch End Open Space directed our team to their current pathway maintenance project.

Goodgym Islington have been assisting with laying down large piles of hoggin (a clay, sand and cement substrate, with really good absorption qualities) onto the pathways between Crouch End and Highgate for the past few months. The lockdown has increased the footfall around these beautiful ancient woodland areas (which is a positive!), meaning that stronger paths and less puddles are required!

AA Simon and local volunteer Rob began with clearing some of the excess mud and green waste from the paths with shovels, while Jack and Kathleen used wheelbarrows to deliver loads of builders rubble and old broken flag stones over. We used the stones to form a mosaic style pattern along the path (particularly around the steps and spots that would see the most footfall), and then covered the stones with rubble. For our final half hour, we started a human chain of wheelbarrow runners, shovelers and rakers to deposit as much of the hoggin as possible before the end of our lunch break.

We did a fantastic job with a limited time frame, and were cheered on my various dog walkers, runners, hikers and families appreciating our efforts in renovating their favourite paths. Smashing work everyone!

AA Simon cycled to Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) this Monday lunchtime to help the local volunteer team with maintaining the footpaths between Shepards Hill Allotments and Highgate. Our task involved creating and clearing some ditches running alongside the paths- acting as a gutter for excess rainwater. The gutters help to clear the water from the paths, lessening the amount of puddles appearing on the footway and keeping these lovely woods accessible. AA Simon used a rake to gather up the mud and leaves from the ditches, and then swept up the paths with a strong brush. Very satisfying work- the hoggin (a groundcover material made of gravel, sand and clay) started to appear under the muck! We did a great job over the course of an hour!

Goodgym Islington will be back again on Wednesday at 12 midday. Sign up here to get involved! https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/lunchtime-creos-hoggin-laying-3610948d-c8da-413d-b490-69549a0e5a7b