Starting from Tap Tavern in Richmond, we set off on a 2.5km run to the meeting point, a very welcome chance to get warm on a frosty evening! A special warm welcome to Harvey and Kash who joined us from GoodGym Ealing, and to Pippa who came along to the Richmond group for the first time.

Meeting task owner Ken at Petersham Common, we divided into two groups. One group set about digging a trench for a new drainage channel to help divert rain water off the roads to the trees on the common and provide Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) for the area. A vital environmental system for habitat improvements and to lesson impacts on expensive emerging sewer systems. We quickly dug a trench and laid a new pipe to help divert rainwater from the roads across the common to the trees and backfilled the area compacting it down and presto! Awesome work helping to save the world one pipe at a time and helping the trees grow as well.

Meanwhile, the other half went over to a different part of the Common and started coppicing trees. This involves cutting back the young trees to the ground, which will help create a thicker dense habitat ideal for British song birds to nest in. Cut wood was placed off the path in a stack that will make great wildlife habitat for the hooting and snuffling creatures that were our soundtrack to the evening!

All done in less than 45 minutes and a quick run back down the hill. Top marks says Ken and many thanks from the Petersham Common Conservators.

There are more tasks coming up on Petersham Common, including the planting of 1000 trees! Listings are all up now to sign up.