Armed with buckets and united in our determination to protect 350 saplings from extremely dry weather, I joined a feisty gang of volunteers gathered in Ladywell Fields beside the River Ravensbourne where a new hedgerow was recently planted. We hauled water from the river and carried it to pour on the thirsty roots of the young trees, ensuring they can continue to thrive despite the drought. With no rain forecast for a while, next watering session is scheduled for Saturday 28 June.

Turns out Ms Y and I share a love of shortbread biscuits - and even better if they're dunkable. It was a pleasure to fetch a few items of shopping from the local supermarket to help Ms Y next time she's ready for a drink and snack.

What a welcome sight it was when a 1000 litre water bowser was transported to Ladywell Fields, making it easier to give thirsty hedgerow saplings a much needed drink. The extremely dry weather so far this spring has meant that special efforts have been necessary to ensure the survival of the hedgerow, consisting of 350 young trees planted by volunteers in January. The Lewisham council parks team has promised a re-filled bowser next weekend too - and the hedge is looking leafier and healthier.

The last time we did this task it was dark and even though we shifted a whole pile of woodchip, there were still gaps and the saplings need as much mulch as possible to ensure they have the best start and grow big and strong!

Most of the group were assembled at Glass Mill (Welcome John to your first Lewisham GoodGym session) and a Steve and Linda were meeting us at Ladywell Fields.

A short run tonight (I save the long ones for post-marathon..) and before we knew it we were at Ladywell Fields and ready to get stuck in.

We soon got into a rhythm of moving the wheelbarrows and buckets along the row of saplings. Ensuring each sapling has 1m radius of woodchip and a depth of up to 5cm. We were missing one person though, Steve was lost in Ladywell Fields, 600+ good deeds and you'd think he'd know our presence a mile off! Once Steve found us, he got started on some speedy shoveling of the woodchip into the wheelbarrows and buckets. What was good about Steve not being able to find us was that it shows just how many projects we've been involved in in Ladywell Fields (Tiny Forest, The Orachard...).

We powered through the rest of the woodchip and made sure all the saplings were protected - task well done team!

There was just time for a quick group photo and for Lindsay to return a broom that was nearly coming back to Glass Mill with us!

Next week we have a brand new task clearing the garden to make it more beautiful for residents.

GoodGymers love a showy before-and-after photo opportunity and this task didn’t disappoint. Outside Mr A’s front door, the grimy state of the paving slabs – dangerously slippery during rainy weather – meant that the patio area was overdue a good scrubbing with soapy water. We worked as a team, me doing vigorous broom work to loosen surface mould and Mr A handing out buckets filled from his kitchen tap. Bish, bash, bosh, I soon had the pathway looking much cleaner! And now Mr A is happy that he can go out without fear of falling.