Last night 5 members of Goodgym Croydon along with Lizzie from "trees for streets" met for our weekly group session. This week were were out and about in Addiscombe East ward delivering leaflets to the residents about Trees for Streets. Before we set off and following LIzzie's briefing there was one very important achievement to acknowledge, it was Callum's 10th good deed, credit to our friends in Wandsworth also as he started with them before moving to Croydon and wasn't too scarred and broken from Ana's fitness sessions.

Trees for Streets and Croydon Council are working together to get more trees planted in the borough. Why some may ask? * to help tackle climate change and pollution * improve the health of the residents and those who work, study and socialise in the borough * leave a legacy that will last for generations * create a haven for wild life * make the borough a nicer place to live, study, work and play

The name said it all Trees for Streets, but there is a lot more to it than just planting trees on the streets as Lizzie informed us.

This also wasn't Lizzie's first outing with Goodgym promoting Trees for Streets either, she informed us that she had a similar outing with Tower Hamlets and they delivered 2,100 on the first outing and 1,100 on the second. I felt like the challenge had been set, not that we are competitive but its always good to have a number to work towards. With the threat of torrential rain and 6 members we delivered 650 leaflets, Lizzie did point out that the groups she went with in Tower Hamlets had more participants so we were definitely better than them.(not to mention that we have convinced her to move to Croydon, should she decide to ever move again plus we will be her home area despite not living in Croydon)

While out leafleting we encountered a few members of the community interested in what we were doing which we were happy to tell them about, however one gentleman took a liking to us and started videoing/taking pictures while muttering away. We did tell him what we were doing however, he clearly did not hear what we said and mistook us as canvasing for a political party, with whom he had some negative history so wasn't very complementary! He finally listened to what we were saying, that we were not canvasing for any political party and that we were promoting Trees for Streets. He swiftly apologized for his rant and commended us on what we were doing got in his car honked the horn and off he went. I wonder if he will be contacting Trees for Street for a tree?

Have you noticed there is a monster invasion in Croydon?

Paul has set you all a challenge, you can run, walk, cycle or scoot your way around the borough to see how many you can find, how many there are I do not know but I am interested to find out. Winners will be presented with their prize and trophy at the next social. Please post your photos in the WhatsApp group if you are not a member of the WhatsApp group and would like to join please get in touch with me or a task force member.

Next week we will be heading to St Augustine's Sign up here

Today we ran to to one of our furthest task over in Thornton Heath, Unique Roots to help Pam on the allotment. She had a variety of task for us to complete so when she saw the size of the group she was so excited. We have done many task at the allotment in the winter months prior to the pandemic so it was good to be there today to see the fruits of our labour. The raised beds we helped to erect, had vegetables and plants growing in them. There was also a new addition to the space, that had Pam beaming with excitement. She had a new polytunnel installed. Inside the polytunnel there were a few seed pots that had been planted by one of the groups Pam works with, their seeds had grown and was ready to be transplanted, however that wasn't why we were there.

Tasks

• cut back the branches from the tress that were over hanging in the entrance to the allotment
• build some raised beds in the polytunnel
• reap the vegetables that were ready to be picked.
• water the vegetables
• transfer the compost to the raised beds
• refill the compost area with the leaves from the tree we had cut

The group broke up into smaller groups and focus on the different tasks that was available Sarah, Ros, Nicola and Ingrid were the first to finish the tasks they had chosen (building the raised beds in the polytunnel) so they helped on the other tasks. Yasser and Callum were busy taking turns in sawing off the overhanging branches from the trees once they had cut off a branch they brought it to the side of the polytunnel where Sarah broke of the small branches and leaves creating two piles one for the small parts for the compost area and another with the bigger branches all sawed and ready to be packed away for bonfire night. While she was busily breaking up the branches Callum brought in some more branches that they had cut from the trees and before she knew it she was fenced in.

Ian and Sam worked on emptying the compost bin and when they finished Ian joined in with transporting the leaves to the compost bin, while Sam joined Nicola and Ros with watering the vegetables, while Ingrid helped to pick the tomatoes. While some where finishing up the last bits of the task Pam, was telling Sarah and Callum about some of her plans for the space and the various groups she works with.

Before we left Pam reminded us that she would see us next week at another of her sites and thanked us for a job well done. On our way out of the allotment we noticed a sunflower plant with 10 flowers we stopped and admired it before heading out the gates for our return run.