We gathered in dribs and drabs, some delayed by work and others having joined a group run from the Town Hall Hotel. It wasn’t our last Monday task before Christmas, but there was much talk of exciting festive trips to warmer places as distant as Australia and India, before we instead spread out to various parts of the Parkview estate

There were chairs to be sanded and painted; Anna, Rohan and Jo displaying their artistic talents in adding shades of brown or a kind of light green (not really lime – we were wondering what whimsical description a paint shop would give it)

Mile-End-Emma waved to us from the other side of the street, then decided she might as well cross the road and join in - after all, it was her 75th Good Deed! She bundled tree branches into a wheelbarrow and over to the bin, branches which myself, Ilana and Nia had cut back so people might perhaps be able to notice what’s on the notice board

The three of them then went to pull nails out of some old wood, so it could be recycled for carpentry and shelves in the glasshouse. Meanwhile, Bethnal-Green-Emma seemed to be graffitiing a perforated fence, but closer inspection revealed she was actually doing a great job of removing an unsightly tag from the barrier

Somehow we all re-convened for the group picture - deciding this time it might be a better idea this time to take the photo in a lit-up area...

5 of us headed to Rocky Park (4 by bike and 1 on foot), greeted by the lovely Margaret, Ash, Rose, Basil (canine) and Wicket (canine). The task was to move a small mountain of mulch that had been dropped off earlier in the week. We settled into two teams - one shovelling mulch into wheelbarrows and the other emptying these onto the ground by the planting beds. The mulch pile was steaming hot - not because of the powerful sunshine rays hitting it nor the friction of speedy shovels but due to heat generated by microbes breaking down organic matter. We were all fascinated by this (some more than others). Science truly is magic. Logs/big twigs were separated out and salvaged for use elsewhere. Within 50 earth minutes, the pile had disappeared. This was a satisfying, enjoyable task. Margaret returned from walking the dogs with some sweet treats to reward us for our efforts - completely unnecessary but very gratefully received!

Pun credit: Rue Most wheelbarrows carried at once (2): Emma R

We were back at Hollybush Estate on Monday night, joining Margaret and Ash to shift the mulch we laid down several months ago, now rotted and ready to nourish a fresh round of bedding plants.

We were also joined by Michael from the Hollybush team, who came armed with a surprise for later in the evening. And a big welcome to @Dan Baker, newly arrived from Liverpool but already well at home with GoodGym thanks to his TaskForce experience. Thanks for the extra pair of hands, Dan! We also had a furry visitor, Missy the Beagle brought by Emma, perfect for the role of GoodGym mascot I must say!

With so many willing volunteers, the mulch was swiftly cleared and replaced with fresh material, leaving us plenty of time for the real highlight of the night: celebrating Margaret’s 70th birthday. Sparklers were lit and a caterpillar cake (expertly sourced by Lucinda) presented.

Margaret has been a constant, warm presence at Hollybush Estate for years. Anyone who’s volunteered here will know her trademark “How are you, darling?” and her tireless commitment to the gardens and community. GoodGym Tower Hamlets and Hollybush itself wouldn’t be the same without her.