Another week goes by and another two newbies. Well, technically, Sana has done a few community sessions with BFC, but this was her first group run and she brought along Kp who came to claim her first good deed! Cecilia was back! Great to know she enjoyed the first session and wanted to come back for more.

As Old Spike filled up, Sam got started with his intro speech earlier as the group had to split up and go to two tasks. Yes, not everyday we have two tasks, but there was a call-out for GoodGym to help out at an urgent task and we responded. Before we got on with the running, Sam asked his ice-breaker question first which was: "Who would you write a fan fiction book about / what would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?"

Only Nelly and Sam relieved their fan fiction book, which would be based on Hopper from Stranger Things and Taylor Swift, respectively. Others opted for the latter question and people had topics like breeds of dogs and cats, nature and artists from specific dates...Justin Bieber from 2009 - 2012, anyone?

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Spick and span

After a quick warm up on the Green, Sam led Roberta, Fi, Nelly and David on a run to Sedan Way/ East Street to fill planters with topsoil as they weaved their way around people on Rye Lane and the Surrey Canal Walk before cutting through Burgess Park to get there within just over 20 minutes to meet Peter, Ed and Vic. They used the 35 minutes they had to fill 3 planters out of 5 whilst listening to the Eurovision playlist... Meanwhile, Maria and Emma worked as a team to led and backmark the second group consisting of Andrada, Cecilia, Kp, Rosalind and Sana as they met Valentina, Elena, Isaac and Phil there. The team split into two, one focusing on the gardening and tidying up the outside whilst the other half concentrated on window cleaning. They did both tasks with efficiency as they were done before 20:00 and opted to set out of their run back earlier.

As both teams ran their routes back, they bumped into each other on Rye Lane with around 500 metres to go! Great timing team as they could stretch and do the cool down together. Thanks to Emma for backmarking and walking back with Kp and Sana.

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Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out last week! Congrat again to the newbies; Kp and Sana for coming along and hope you had a lovely first group run session with us. Kudos to all!

I went to the rugby club in Dulwich for the monthly green team session. With Ian's help, we extracted a whole bunch of logs from the overgrowth behind the club house, and piled them up out front ready for skipping. We also collected a bucket-full of litter.

I found a log shaped like a saxophone (see pictures), and the club house gave me a free bacon roll as a thank you!

At a residence near Kennington tube station, Ed, his partner Holly, Michael and Sam met Sandy and the TRA of Kennington Park Road for their first gardening session of the year.

Sandy and co expected there to be a lot of work, but the grounds was managed quite well. We noticed a few weeds could be taken out, a few brushes to be trimmed and a few other bits and bobs to do.

As we got talking and catching up since last September, about an hour in, Maria arrived having done a community session in Dulwich. We ensured there were some tasks for her to do as once it reached 12:30, we were all done.

The garden looks ready to be used for these warmer months and the next expected session will be in June, when we have a BBQ session too. Can't wait!

Meeting earlier than usual, Ed and Emma had to wait 10 minutes for Jo, Maria and Sam who were running late for this first woodworking session at Thorlands Gardens.

Simon had organised the equipment and the tools to show us how to create five frames that would turn into netted frames for when we plant young leafy greens and herbs in the Wild Garden to deter birds and the foxes from attacking it.

After going through some basics with the saw and the drill, everyone had a go at sawing the planks in half before we got on with drilling nails to secure and shape the frames. After doing two frames, Simon took Ed and Sam away to plant nettle, Foxgloves, long leaf plantain and spearmint in the Wild Garden.

During this time, the girls had finished the three remaining frames. So, with ten minutes to spare we called it there.

There will be more woodworking workshops as we look to build the stage area and re-build a standing bed in the Walled Garden.