As the evenings get colder and sunsets arrive quicker, who can be relied on to brave a dark graveyard when gardening is required… GoodGym, that’s who!! The evening began with congratulation to Claire for reaching 50 good deeds(!), followed by a brief warmup outside Glass Mills before a 1km dash to St Mary’s church, where we were greeted and briefed by Marion and Sue. Tonight’s mission: a taming of the rampant wild garlic population that has made the green spaces around tombstones its home.

Being careful not to dig TOO deep(!), we set up our spotlights as the daylight faded and set about digging up clump after clump of bulbs and sprouts with their distinctive smell – yum! It quickly became clear just how widespread the garlic was as first multiple boxes, then multiple wheelbarrows were filled, prompting a theory that it had flourished here as a protection against vampires* (well… MY theory anyway!).

With large spaces now freed of garlic, and with an accompaniment of the church’s bell-ringers, the next task was to replant the ground as we split into 2 groups and scattered and raked in wildflower seeds.

Before we knew it, the clock had struck 20:00 and it was time for a last torchlit check around to make sure no tool was left behind and that all were collected back in. But our evening didn’t end there… the church had generously laid on tea, biscuits, and cake to reward our efforts. If that wasn’t enough, we were also serenaded by a community brass band, rehearsing for a recital this coming Sunday.

After group photos with the stunning church’s backdrop, plus some persuasion to down remaining tea, it was out into the night for a cake-fueled jog back to Glass Mills (thankfully without a vampire in sight!).