We've been doing quite a bit of flyering recently, so much so that we must be pretty much experts at it... This evening's session came earlier than expected courtesy of cancellation from Newham Hospital. It probably is a tad chilly for gardening at the moment, so hopefully we can pick up with them again in the New Year. And at least with flyering, you get to keep moving! It also meant we were able to accommodate Mabel the dog in her last session with us for now, but hope it's not too long before she might be able to join us again.

Said flyers were to promote local volunteering opportunities with Food Cycle in case you missed it - they've got a new location just down the road from us in Plaistow and are looking for folks to help with their community dining experiences. Read more about them here.

Shout out to Hitesh for making it - it's been a while, so it was great to see you again. We do hopefully have at least one indoor festive task lined up this side of the Christmas, details to be confirmed as soon as we have them and next week we're back up the canal to Hackney Marsh Adventure Playground - sign up here.

The mercury dropped, but technical layers were added and the folks of Stratford marched on. We discussed "favourite non-profane insults" and got some good ones: idiot, weasel, numpty and this week's winner...you big wet lettuce.

We arrived at Cody Dock in groups, greeted by the effervescent , Basia. She led us to the toilets, strangely, or not so strangely for those of you that recall last year being awkwardly walked into a portaloo, which in a turn of events was a secret door to a hidden party, I shit you not (pun intended). This week, that didn't happen, but it was warmer, so there's that. We did 'touch-up' the toilets; the walls, ceilings and benches in particular. We discussed Petra, the history of violence in the middle east, mist coats, Joey Barton's enjoyable implosion and 30 year wedding anniversaries, amongst other things.

I personally had a very pleasant wednesday evening, hope you did too. I'll pass on the barcode that Basia sent to sign up for their party on Feb 9th, I'll see you there.

Next week, we're at Get Out, sign up here.

Till then,

B

Hilary,Brad,Kevin and I started the morning doing Valentines Park parkrun and a quick refuel on the way to Manor Park Community Garden

Hitesh had cycled from his home in East Ham to join us and Helen walked from Wanstead to join her first GG Newham mission

This was our first visit to help the team and litter-picking the garden and surrounding area was todays mission.

Litter pickers and bags in hand we started clearing the flowerbeds in front of the gardens before heading towards the main road,lots of appreciation from local residents for our efforts.

An hour or so later we headed back to the garden to be greeted by more of their regular volunteers and refreshments.

They are in the planning stage of updating and improving access of some areas of the garden......I can see some return visits to this garden one of Newham hidden gems

We will be heading to Wanstead Flats parkrun next week before out double mission

Follow the links to sign up

Emanuel Church

Abbey Gardens

Half of us met on a fresh December eve, the penultimate session of the year. We spoke about "things that make you feel young?" Helping older people with technology, getting ID'd, bickering with a sibling and spending all day with kids. A selection of youth serums you can't buy in the shops.

With a snaking journey to Plaistow Primary, we never wavered in doubt with Hilary's navigation. A doubling of numbers at the school, with Hitesh, Rosa and Rosie meeting us there, well Rosie just stayed there. She took us through to the designated wrapping room and we got to work. A lovely gift from the parents to raise funds so all kids could have a xmas present. We wrapped solidly for forty five minutes, some better than others, but let's not get into that again, there's no I in team, and all that. EIGHTY TWO presents were wrapped, I had no idea how many we would do, but I'll take that. Stupendous work guys, that's a huge haul of gifts, and massively offloaded some work off the next batch of wrappers. Excellent session Rosie, in spite of your caretaker's lack pf enthusiasm, that was a refreshingly different task (and warm).

Next week we go indoors again and help feed those in need, sandwich making at Emanuel Church, sign up here. Followed by the traditional GGN XMAS Shin Dig, not to be missed. Details will be released asap.

Bank some cold miles and have a good week.

Till next week,

B