After a short run down from the Crook Log Sports Center we met up with Ann at the Cannon. She had already started picking up paper blowing around in the wind! We managed to tidy the whole area and around the Library too. Ann managed to secure the lock on the gate which was proving to be tricky and we headed home just before the sunset 🌅.

Caroline and I had a good three-hour session sorting through many bags of second hand clothing mostly in great resaleable condition plus the occasional new items that still had labels. This is great uncomplicated work and the time goes fast while you're doing it. There was one Barbour coat which is considered a prestige item but it looked like the farmer had been run over by his tractor by the condition of it! There was also a moment when our bag fell over the edge of the table and I had to take emergency action - see photo. Thanks to Andrew for supervising. Simon

The murals in Welling were originally intended as a temporary installation over 20 years ago, but they are still there and needed some tlc. So Julie from Discover Welling asked for our help to give them a good wash. Very apt during the annual Keep Britain Tidy #GBSpringClean fortnight!

Julie arrived with buckets of soapy water - not sure how she got them there! - brushes and sponges, and we set to work. 🪣🪣🪣🧽🧽🧽🧹🧹

Robert, a local resident and great supporter of GG Bexley, came along to say hello, armed with another bucket of soapy water. A luxury this time as it was warm water!

After completing one side of the road we swapped to the other. From the colour of our sponges and dirty water there was no doubt that we'd removed lots of grime!

Then, while some of us swept cobwebs off the lights, and swept the pavement, others went to the local church which kindly let us refill the buckets from their kitchen taps.

With the fresh water we rinsed all the murals, tackling the last of the stickers that had softened enough for us to scrape them off.

Hopefully the murals and the pedestrian tunnels they line look a bit cleaner and tidier now. Passers-by while we were in action were certainly appreciative with lots of 'thank yous'. It's always nice to feel appreciated!

A job well done, we headed to the pub to celebrate Sarah's 400th good deed!

See you for more GoodGym fun next week!

I am here to support building a greener environment, representing the Goodgym community. I am glad for this opportunity of planting trees with Trees for Cities.

We started by preparing the site and clearing any grass, followed by digging a hole same depth as the root ball, positioning the tree correctly, backfill with soil, staking (to provide support and prevent from swaying) and mulching. What a great day. Love it! Also an opportunity to learn something new. I will be checking that Foxglove tree we planted every now and then. Next goal is how we can maintain these trees.

In readiness for their new season, we got busy helping members at Danson Park Bowls Consortium to clear grass from their driveway.

The cobbled surface was laid on soil over ten years ago and the grass had done a pretty good job at growing through to reclaim it.

Working alongside a dozen or so others from Kingfisher and Bexley Bowls Clubs, we stripped back the turf. It was proper hard work but we were very well looked after with drinks, biscuits and hot cross buns.

Hopefully the rest of the members and visiting teams arriving for matches over the coming months will be bowled over by our efforts.

This is our new monthly session working with Jason, the head gardener at The Community Hospice.

Our focus was the long border, taking out unwanted plants so the plot can be re-planted when it's been properly prepared.

'Team Roses' got physical digging out several rose bushes to allow the remaining Tender Loving Care roses, bred especially for the Hospice, to be the stars of the show.

'Team Sedge' also needed muscle power to uproot the grassy clumps of Carex pendula that were attempting to crowd out other plants.

'Team Leek' took a more delicate approach, carefully removing the invasive Three-cornered Leek plants - Allium triquetrum - that had been stealthily invading the area. Getting out the entire bulb and roots was the aim of the game here, all with the aroma of onions!

It's always amazing to see how much a team of enthusiastic GoodGymers can achieve in such a short time.

After tidying away the tools we enjoyed tea and coffee in the Hospice café.

We'll be back on the fourth Saturday of each month. Come along and together we'll help Jason realise his plans for the gardens of this wonderful charity.