This evening we performed a double task in Bedminster assisting the Philip Street Garden and Patchwork Project to weed and tidy some oasis' of green in the urban jungle.

With spring in bloom our gardening friends were in need of our assistance again. Both projects required the same jobs to be completed; weeding, planting and trimming of some cared for green spaces that would otherwise be left to become overgrown and strewn with rubbish. Instead these areas are full of flowers and are a delight for residents and passers by to enjoy.

After our introduction and highland cow herding at Vivo we split into two teams. Dave led 10 runners to St Phillips Road to meet Julia and I led the rest to South Street Park to meet the ladies from the Patchwork Project. Laura introduced my group to their project and explained that we would tackle two areas nearby. Quickly and confidently the runners were down to business pulling up weeds (and the occasional accidental sprig of mint) cutting back grass and planting some new plants and flowers. Vito took on the task of digging holes and planting two large lilies. He brandished the spade as confident as Arthur lifting Excalibur from the stone and dispatched the soil as an unworthy foe.

Meanwhile Dave's team were tearing it up too. They did some sterling work transforming an overgrown patch of ground into a beautiful garden and new runner Lindsey even gained some rosemary as a reward.

Back with the Patchwork crew time was running out, the from a patch near North Street returned to help the others with a 5 minute weed blitz and finish a very thorough job. After being thanks by our happy hosts we waved and ran back to Queen Square where it was apparent that the group was keen for some speed work. So 3 laps of Fartlek training were in order. It was a fantastic effort from everyone involved.

The Philip Street group joined us just as we were finishing our 3rd lap, perfect timing to have a good stretch out.

Thanks to everyone for coming along, you weedy dug deep and both projects were really thankful for our help, check out some more photos on the Patchwork Blog.

See you next time,

Gary