Monday 26th March 2018
Report written by JULIA GLEESON
Seeing the light
Oh happy days! The light evenings have returned.On a beautiful ,although slightly chilly evening in sunny Worthing, we gathered together in a buzz of anticipation and good vibes.
We gave a warm GG meeting to Gill and her guest from Lancaster ,Marion who is braving the south for a weeks holiday. It was also lovely to see Belinda on her bike , Paul back after vacation and lurgy , Ros ( who had discarded the scarf! ) Nick , Duncan and Anne . After a quick briefing we headed off for a steady warm up 2k run to the task.
Witch Hazel
It was genuinely good to be met by Sue and Peter representing the friends of Heene Cemetery. GG Worthing had been really looking forward to returning to continue our good deeds here . Tonight the task was in 2 parts.
Firstly we were asked to shift some stones from a huge bag to some selected graves that had been pre chosen for some TLC.
Secondly we were tasked with making a hazel fence to form a compound for storage . This was done from pre selected branches sourced in the cemetery together with more robust hazel tree posts supplied by the council.
After a quick briefing from Sue the team split into both tasks.
Duncan securely 'boshed ' down the fence posts whilst Gill and Ros set to work selecting branches before all 3 started bending and weaving the branches into place.
Rocking and rolling
Paul and Belinda shovelled the stones before barrowing them to far ends of the cemetery to the flagged graves where Gill and Marion distributed and raked the stones into place ( great arm work out!)
Tamsin and minier Tamsin
We had a lovely surprise when regular Tamsin appeared with a mini Tamsin to say hi .Super cute Jemmie cant wait to start her GG journey " When can we start running Mummy?"
Oh my quad
After 30 minutes of a very successful and popular task , some photos, goodbyes and a promise to return we set off for our run and weekly fitness session.
We ran out west and through some seafront gardens before we hit the seafront running. We got into the drills straight away with a combination of sprints , squats, burpees, tricep dips , jumps and ladder runs along the prom. I did comment that the group became unusually quiet apart from the occasional groan ( but no moans) Bet you are sad you missed this session Tamsin ?!!
Belinda acted as a brilliant back marker and motivator on her bike and also managing to jump on and off to do a combination of upper body exercises and the lower ones that her knee would allow.
The wheel of light
As we warmed down running back to base we were treated to a wonderful spectacle of the wheel that is here in Worthing for 3 short weeks . It was quite a spectacle and certainly put a smile on our faces.
During the stretches I mentioned to the group that next week is Easter Monday and we are stepping stones homeless hostel doing a spring garden tidy up.
We also need to put our shopping list together for our Worthing GG sea front flower bed ready for planting on Sunday 13th May ( Date for your diary) More details to follow on this.
Thank you Paul for the strap line pun tonight !
Wishing you all a happy and peaceful Easter.
Julia:)
Light conservation work is carried out which includes wildflower management, coppicing and tree planting. The Cemetery, having been open since 1873, was closed for burials by an Act of Parliament after having been open for more than a hundred years. There are many clerics buried here, including the Bishop of Borneo, and there are four graves tended by the War Graves Commission. Designated a Sussex Site of Nature Conservation Importance, the graveyard is an oasis for wildlife in the Town Centre. An abundance of grasses and herbs more usually associated with unimproved old meadows can be seen during the summer. A complete botanical survey is carried out through the summer months, and visits are made to record bird and invertebrate species.
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