Tuesday 18th July 2017
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Report written by Katie Welford
27 brilliant runners visit three tasks across Lambeth to dig, chop, lift and shovel
It was a SWEATY evening in Lambeth as the thunderclouds gathered for the BIG STORM. We had three tasks to do, however, so after a lovely warm up led by Alex T, off we went to our three tasks.
Task 1 was at the Moorlands Estate, about 1km away. This allotment and garden space is an outreach project from Loughborough Farm. Tom Benson reports....The task in hand was moving woodchip to sure up the existing path. Whilst most of the team got on levelling the path and laying nice new saw dust making it look shiny and new, Alex and I got handed loppers and spades and were tasked with clearing an overgrown area to uncover the path that had been previously there and now was hidden by brambles etc. And do you know by jove we did it and even managed to lay some saw dust down for good measure. So now an area that was inaccessible to the community (unless you wanted a ripped t-shirt that is) can now be accessed. Good work team Moorland, we all deserved a biscuit for that one.
No pictures of Moorlands Estate, but just picture a lot of wood chippings that are actually made of leaves! Said Sarah
Task 2 was at Loughborough Farm itself. They are moving the space around and have some huge planters full of soil that need shifting. This requires digging the soil into other bags, moving the big planters and filling them up again. The ones the group tackled tonight were MEGA and so hard to move. A grand dent was made though and we will return in future weeks to keep chipping away!
Task 3 was 3km up to Agnes Riley Gardens. This lovely community space runs classes on Sunday mornings with the community and grows lovely veg for people to take away. Lucy and Tom got to work tripping the hedge, whilst Issy and gang chopped up branches into smaller branches so the worms etc can have a good nibble in the compost bin. Steve and co were smashing up stones and a determined duo took the top layer of soil off a new bed area - tough work!
On the way home from Agnes Riley we took advantage of the straight King's Avenue to do a 1km time trial - great work from all runners and especially to Issy and Lucy who both recorded 1km PBs on Strava!
The whole gang did some lovely stretches and off we went home just as the storm began. Great work Lambeth!
The park is located next to a number of large social housing estates. Clapham Park Estate, just over the road, is being redeveloped and large numbers of people will be moving into the area. There are three primary schools in the immediate area, plus a new secondary school soon to be developed. We already have some very committed volunteers giving their time to gardening in the park and they have told us they would like some support to run weekly gardening sessions which can help people grow some of their own food. We also want to help children better understand where their food comes from.
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Clothes will go to refugees, rough sleepers and vulnerable families