Monday 1st July
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Report written by Laura Williams
Tonight a good-sized group of GoodGymers headed to the Yurt Cafe at the Royal Foundation of Saint Katharine in Limehouse to help in the exciting last few weeks of this new community garden.
The garden is taking shape nicely, with a new pathway along the side, the monastic garden now housing benches and fruit bushes, and the sides of the garden clear and ready for more planting.
Having started work on this garden at the start of the year, it's been great to see it take shape as the months have gone by: from demolishing sheds and old planters on cold January nights to laying the final barrows on gravel on a balmy July evening, visits to the project in Limehouse, overseen by brilliant task owner Larry, have been a 2024 staple here in Tower Hamlets.
Tonight three teams worked on shovelling gravel, spreading gravel and weeding in-and-around the monastic garden.
By the end of the evening, we weren't sure which was the best workout.
Having assumed weeding would be the gentler task, we realised very early on that tough, well established weeds combined with dry soil meant a claw hammer came in very handy. But then a sidelong glance at wheelbarrows of stones being upended wasn't such an easy gig either.
It was certainly a physical evening, and a fun one too. Welcoming John to his first session, it was a splendidly sociable start to the week as usual.
A great effort, team, and I look forward to the next time.
Until then.
The Royal Foundation of St Katherine is a retreat centre and urban oasis in Limehouse, established by Queen Matilda in 1147. In 2011, St Katharine’s opened its doors to the general public, providing an oasis of calm in the heart of East London. It has become a place where groups and individuals can stay, meet, reflect and retreat. In 2020, St Katharine’s offered itself to become part of the NHS provision for The Royal London and Barts. A dynamic volunteer network, Limehouse Aid, also joined St Katharine’s, which now hosts a food bank distributing food. St Katharine’s is also a thriving arts and community organisation. London’s only Yurt Café is set amidst a wildflower and vegetable community garden (complete with bees).
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