Phil and Linda joined a cheerful team of volunteers to do battle with tall-growing weeds at the Ladywell Tiny Forest. What at first looked like a giant task quickly became easy thanks to our systematic attack armed with shears, secateurs and gardening forks – some weeds even surrendered to a mere tug by hand because the ground was so soft from recent rain.

By the end of the session, all the saplings of the one-year-old forest were basking in sunlight, free from competition from weeds and ready for their springtime growth spurt.

Next, the ground between them will be covered with a generous layer of mulch to hold in moisture, stop weeds re-growing and add nutrients to the soil – this will be a job for GoodGym Lewisham on their Easter Monday group run.