On Monday night 19 slightly damp runners set out on a mission to Hoxton Primary School Garden to help build wooden planters. Upon arrival we were met by Cassie who, after explaining the technical aspects of the construction of wooden planters, then went on to detail the rest of the work that needed doing in the garden. This turned out to be no inconsiderable task and we all got a better workout than we expected, as the work included shifting two, tonne-sized builders-bags full of wood chip from around the back of the garden onto the flower beds ready for spreading, and moving a considerable amount of wood, branches, 60kg sacks of compost and two rather large rocks, out of an old outbuilding awaiting demolition and into the garden where they are all going to be used to fill the planters and create a wildlife pond.

We split into groups; one group (after a very professional health & safety warning on the use of power tools - "If you chop your own arm off, it's your responsibility" - and a brief debate about whether a hand drill qualified as a power tool or not) teamed up to build the planters, another group, armed with buckets & shovels, tackled the two builders-bags full of woodchip, and a third group got stuck in to clearing the old outbuilding.

As it was our first official springtime run, the night was still light for the beginning of the task, but as dusk fell we turned on the mini spotlights that Tom had the foresight to bring along, which was a great aid to the planters construction team as they patiently screwed each plank in place, whilst Andy was given the unfortunate task of removing a particularly stubborn bent nail that had to come out from the central planter.

I don't think I have ever seen anyone speed-shovel woodchip as fast as David did that night, making short work of the two, tonne-sized builders-bags full of woodchip. We had those emptied & shifted in no time. Then, it was on to removal of all the various sized bits of wood and logs, plus the two big rocks and the 60kg bags of compost, from the old outbuilding and into the garden. Trying to manoeuvre around corners with arms full of 10ft. long branches is no easy task, but we managed it. Andrew displayed an impressive display of force to break a hammer in half whilst trying to remove nails. We also got a great weights workout lifting logs, rocks, and bags of compost. With expert teamwork, the deck was cleared in no time, the planters built, and (at the call of "Chocolate!!") we all gathered in the garden for some grapes, oranges, and Chocolate! that Cassie had kindly brought along for us. I'm not sure if Andy ever did get that stubborn bent nail out, but I do know we'll all be returning to Hoxton Primary School to finish the construction of what is set to be a fantastic vegetable & wildlife garden.

A big shout out to Sarah Gibney who returned on Tuesday to help get more done on site!

Andreana