After an unexpected delay caused by a broken wrist, GoodGym Ealing were back at Our Lady of the Visitation school in Greenford today to complete a task they started back in May. Two tonne bags full of wood chip were waiting for Mairaj, Kash and Sevan to create a path in a nature reserve requested and designed by the school's children.

The nature reserve was part of a larger transformation at the school, which has reduced their CO2 emissions by 20%, created a vegetable patch complete with baby pumpkins and repopulated a pond with plants, frogs and newts. They'd even made courgette cake for the 480 pupils from some giant marrows they'd grown. This was certainly a worthy cause to be helping during Ealing Climate Week. The nature reserve was looking a little unloved though as trip hazards - like resurgent brambles - meant that it wasn't safe for children to enter. With task owner Rachel, GoodGym would help solve that!

The 2 tonne bags seemed like a huge task for 3 people, especially as they were placed 100m away from the nature reserve site. The wood chip had compressed too after sitting and waiting 3 months for the task to happen. The team worked to loosen up the bag contents as they scooped it into wheelbarrows and they were really efficient at creating the path which Rachel lined with anti-weed matting.

After 40 minutes, Mairaj thought that one of the tonne bags could be lifted and he was right. It was heaved onto the sturdiest wheelbarrow and carefully rolled down to the path and emptied. At that point, everyone realised that with only a quarter of the path covered, they'd need more wood chip to complete job. Well, they could only work with what they had, so a few more wheelbarrows were filled, then the second bag could also be lifted and it was spread in the nature reserve with 10 minutes to spare on the task.

The half of the path was completed, not incomplete, looked great. Another task will be coming soon, as soon as some more tonne bags appear.

We rolled up our sleeves, pulled on wellies, finding the right size gloves at the shed and joined forces for another Green Task at Horsenden Farm today Saturday at 10am

Hedges trimmed, weeds cleared, and compost turned — the hilly aide of back of pizza oven now the flower plantation is looking greener and healthier thanks to all the helping hands. Muddy boots were the badge of honour by the end of it.

The team after the activity was introduced to the pigs snuffling happily for attention, and the chickens clucked around keeping everyone on their toes. Each creature added its own charm to the day. Speaking to Elsa and learning about the animals age and care was a whole new joy.

After the graft came the feast — wood-fired pizza, bubbling with melted cheese, plus refreshing craft beer brewed nearby. Farming energy in, foodie energy out!

The best harvest of the day? Friendship. Making friends with some new faces. Volunteers old and new shared laughs, swapped stories, and left with happy hearts (and maybe a little hay in their hair), Sevan and Steph felt very happy and playful working with hays stacks.

As always, the best part was the people — regulars and newcomers: Afshin and Thaiza working side by side, making a difference and having fun.

👉 I had to head off a little early to catch a family fun day festival (sorry Kash will make it up next time) 🎶, but the farm vibes and friendly faces definitely made my Saturday extra special.

Until next time — keep it green, keep it fun, and keep it Horsenden!