We joined Margaret and Ash from the Teesdale & Hollybush Tenants and Residents Association for our second May visit to help with some gardening tasks.

A group of us gathered at the Town Hall for some stretches and a pleasant evening jog over to the Hollbush Estates. There, we rallied more troops and received our mission brief.

We handed out the tools and started helping Margaret and the team to clear and tidy one of the community allotment spaces for the Hollybush Estate. While some of the group got stuck into weeding, others shovelled soil and dismantled the allotment beds. The wheel barrows raced back and forth to Rocky Gardens where the soil was put back to good use.

Many hands made light work of clearing the space, and it was satisfying to see the signs of our work. Well done everyone for clearing the space and making it feel loved again :-)

A mild, bright evening saw 17 GoodGymers head to Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park for a goose-grass and cow parsley bonanza tonight.

We started with 15 minutes of fitness outside the park office, which saw us welcome Nick to his first GoodGym, joined shortly by fellow first timers, Nia and Becky.

Speeding through the weekly lunge selection; adding in a little light upper body work, and finishing with a range of stretches, we managed to get through quite a lot in a short space of time.

Heading over to the well-stocked tool shed, we were greeted by Ken, who had wheelbarrows, rakes and gloves galore ready, and promptly led the way to our spot for tonight's task.

Background to the task

Our regular visits to the park, overseen by experienced Park Manager Ken, always ensure the week gets off to a good start. Although the park has a fantastic team, and a steady stream of volunteers, a decent-sized group of GoodGymers never goes amiss at this picturesque local spot.

Spread out over four corners in total this evening, we raked and plucked at these pesky weeds, which, given half the chance, would take over the park. It was a decent workout, particularly with the wheelbarrow runs to the big weed pile, and most importantly, we made a decent dent in the weeds in this area.

The team didn't stop (well, only to pose patiently for pics, and debate the all-important issue of tonight's pun, who we have Lukas to thank for, but our Emma's fantastic effort absolutely did not go unappreciated).

At around 7:45, we lined up wheelbarrows, collected gloves, and posed for one last pic before speeding back to base.

A brilliant evening once again!

Next week, Emma leads our Monday night activity to Rocky Park, complete with run from the gorgeous Town Hall Hotel!

Until then.

A breezy but bright Monday evening saw 12 GoodGymers head to Columbia Road to help the Columbia TRA with some weeding and mulch distribution.

Following a short workout in Ravenscroft Park (where we welcomed Connie to her first GoodGym Tower Hamlets task) we made our way around the corner to the gardens of Sivill House where Ed, Ed, Liz and Dougal were well preparing the equipment for this evening’s activity.

After a short briefing, we were promptly dispatched into three teams (one distributing mulch; one weeding in the garden by the street, and another weeding in the orchard area).

Shuttling barrows of mulch around the gardens, plucking pesky grass and unwanted dock leaves, the time sped by.

At shortly before 8, we decided to call it a night, emptying the last weed onto the compost pile and the last wheelbarrow of mulch onto the young trees.

A good night’s work, and great to be reunited with the fun Columbia TRA team.

Next week, our Monday night activity’s moved to Wednesday, due to the Bank Holiday, when we’ll be joining Margaret and Ash for another fun evening in-and-around the Hollybush Estate.

Until then.

A short, sharp workout

No fewer than 9 GoodGymers joined for tonight’s short workout outside the Soanes Centre!

Welcoming first time GoodGymer Georgina, we popped bags to one side in order to get cracking on tonight’s short workout.

We started with a few dynamic stretches before moving to the obligatory single-leg squats; a seated abdominal exercise and a couple of lunge variations, before finishing with a handful of stretches.

We then made our way over to the toolshed to see Ken, the Park Manager of the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, and our task owner for tonight.

After a short intro, we piled wheelbarrows with gloves and bags, and headed over to tonight’s location, a little way into the park.

The best briefing in the world

Ken then gave his usual brilliant briefing, covering all aspects of health and safety as well as a speedy masterclass in goose grass and cow parsley removal.

Starting work on both sides of the park path, GoodGymers wasted no time in filling many barrows with these common weeds.

It was a productive evening, made all the more enjoyable by the daylight (and even a glimpse of sun).

At just gone quarter to eight, we wheeled the last barrow around to the weed pile and slowly made our way back to base via a most scenic route.

We said our final cheerios to Ken, delighted to be returning next month, to lend a hand helping to maintain this much-loved, beautiful park.

Next week, we’re back to the Columbia Road gardens!

Until then.