We had a TREEmendous time

7 Goodgymers helped their local community in Redbridge
Peter Van Tongeren
Beth Andlaw
Lauren Ridley
Tom Roberts
Georgie
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Redbridge

Monday 22nd October 2018

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Peter Van Tongeren
Peter Van Tongeren

SESSION ORGANISER

Beth Andlaw
Beth Andlaw

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Report written by Peter Van Tongeren

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It seems today was a day of transport issues:

  • Stefania had undergound issues, but made it

  • James had train issues (no he didn't run back from Bristol) and did not make it

  • Beth had car trouble but got rescued by Georgie (give her a cheer - first group run & helping out experienced regulars already)

But as they say in theatre, the show must go on - Goodgym finds a way! Welcoming first time Goodgymmers Georgie, Tom & Lauren there was a democratic vote on what task we should do tonight - James' suggestion of #plogging vs an outstanding job for the Wanstead Community Gardeners (Marians team) - guerilla gardening at its best. An overwhelming majority voted for the guerilla gardening, not sure whether the idea of chopping down some little trees was of influence there. Health & Safety briefing done, it was time to move.

With a bag full of tools slung over a shoulder we made our way to a cycle & foot path along the A12, where one of Marians team had noticed some little trees growing in small cut-outs along the wall. To prevent the tree roots doing damage to the wall and pathways, we were asked to take care of them (read: remove) to allow Marian's team to replace them with less expansive plants & flowers.

Full of energy the group set to work in two teams attacking trees of various sizes, racing through the job of clearing all 8 cut-outs of anything bigger than an inch or so, except a few tree stumps. A few obligatory victory poses with the biggest of the branches cut down followed, before cleaning the loose debris & returning the tools back to base. There was definitely time & energy left, so off we went for a little spin around the block, with conversations ranging from xmas plans to tree planting projects (maybe a community mission coming up!) to discussing revisiting the Nutter Lane relay one of these Mondays (playfull fitness session, James?) A few kilometres later, some stretches followed and another job well done!

Thanks to Tom for the title/pun, good luck to Dharmesh with the tree planting project, fingers crossed for Beth that the car trouble isn't too serious, hope Tom, Lauren & Georgie enjoyed their first Goodgym adventure.

Last but not least, an update from Social Secretary Stefania:

  • next monthly GG party is on Thursday 8th of November, cant find the link at the moment - Star of Bethnal Green is the location?

  • the Goodgym Xmas Party has been confirmed! check out the details here

Looking forward to seeing you on another run soon!


This task supported
WANSTEAD COMMUNITY GARDENERS
A LOCAL GARDENING GROUP FOCUSED ON RECLAIMING SPOTS OF LAND IN WANSTEAD

Run by Marian this group helps take unloved patches of land in Wanstead and Snaresbrook and turn them into beautiful patches of flowers and plants.

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Discuss this report
Redbridge runner

Tue 23rd Oct 2018 at 6:25am

Fun task and a great write up, thanks Peter!

Join us on our next session

Redbridge

Preparing food packages for distribution at Mutual Aid foodbank
🗓Thursday 9th January 2025 10:00am

Helping those in need in Redbridge

Linda Sharman
One GoodGymer is going