Wednesday 2nd May 2018
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Report written by Ant Withstandley
One could be forgiven for thinking that divine intervention caused the rainclouds to give way to a fine spring evening this Wednesday as a dozen GoodGymers headed out to St Mary's Churchyard in Walthamstow Village. The run to the task tonight was shorter than last week's Odyssey, but it was uphill all the way. Thankfully, there was plenty of energy left for the task which everyone set to with a zeal that would have made Alan Titchmarsh proud.
Thanks in part to recruiting sergeants Kevin and Alex, we welcome three new members to tonight's group run: Jane, Elizabeth and Kirsty all made a big impact on their first run. Well done guys it was great to have you along.
The church's campanologists struck up a soundtrack as we set up the all-important wood-chipper and the crew started moving (heaven and) earth, creating sawdust and piling logs. With one wonky wheelbarrow but an abundance of grit and determination meant enough stuff to create a small island was dugout and relocated to a compost heap.
After packing away our tools, we then headed back to base with a hardcore group taking a long-cut before we all reconvened for a much-needed cool-down session.
Excellent work everyone, hope to see you for our jaunt to Leyton Marsh next week for another task that will make the world a more beautiful place to be.
The churchyard contains numerous interesting graves and four listed tombs, and is divided into four railed and enclosed areas with public access to only two; it is bisected by paths which are in frequent public use. There are some 1300 visible monuments in and around the church, and it is thought that over 26,000 burials took place here. The first church of St Mary Walthamstow was founded in the early-12th century on the site of an older church. The current building is largely 16th-century with later alterations. The timber-framed Ancient House near the church probably stands on the site of the original Manor of Walthamstow.
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