Earlier this month Marian, from the Wanstead Community Gardeners, got in touch to see if we could pop round to give them a hand.

Marian affectionately calls us her 'muscle', we normally get called in for the heavier digging & carrying etc. to assist the team.

This evening the targets were 2 sets of 2 planters, installed by the council but not really looked after - so in steps the WCG crew! We split up, Sam & Vicky joined Rosemary (no time jokes) at the Gail's planters while Kathryn & myself joined Marian at the George.

Ivy was cleared, top inch or so of soil dug up and mulch mixed in, ready for the planting of geraniums in the next few days.

Dirt swept up, soil & green waste & tools dropped off back at WCG base, it was time to make a move. Too hot & humid for a run, it was decided people made their own way home again, run & walk & ride...

Job well done, thanks ladies.

This evening we had the pleasure of welcoming Vicky on her first group run session!

It gave James the chance to get a taste of runleading, having almost finished his training.

After a chat we tooled up and set of on a run to one of our usual hotspots for a litterpick - stopping more rubbish fouling nature. Skipping Redbridge roundabout the second part of this evenings session was on the other side of the A12, where we could have easily spend all evening and still not get halfway up the road, so much rubbish accumulated in the undergrowth 😔

As so often we lost track of time a little, so ended up only doing 2.5km to be back at base on time - fingers crossed more of a run next time.

P.S.... the title is referring to the MacDonalds meal rubbish we found, receipt showing it came from just outside Newcastle to be dumped in Redbridge...