An day off work allowed Area Activator Simon the opportunity to help out at Mile End junior parkrun on Easter Sunday. A much appreciated Saturday night email was sent to event directors Clem and Bessie, and we were able to allocate the roles of "Timekeeper" and "Warm Up Leader" on the volunteer roster. 29 keen runners between the ages of 4 and 14 years old took on the 2km course as a great way to start the day. Well done everyone.

On a bright April Monday evening, a group of 15 GoodGymers gathered at the Rocky Park community garden nestled in the heart of Hollybush Gardens.

Led by Margaret and Ash—and enthusiastically supported by canine companions, Basil and Wicked—the team rolled up their sleeves for a productive session of digging, lifting, and laughing.

The garden is currently undergoing a transformation, with particular focus on the planters and borders – GoodGymers have been attending regularly to help progress the project.

We were divided into three teams to tackle different tasks: One group focused on turning and depositing soil into the compost bays (better than leg day, in my opinion). Another team tackled a sizeable planter, digging and turning the earth in preparation for new planting. Meanwhile, a third team worked with precision and care (I think), relocating dozens of newly potted donated trees and shrubs.

The pace was brisk, the company sublime and the tasks certainly gave some participants a solid Monday workout.

As we approached 8pm, tools were collected, wheelbarrows stacked, and the ideal group shot spot identified.

After perfecting the pic and making a quick final fuss of the dogs, Best Task Owner in the World, Margaret, presented the team with Easter eggs, accompanied by Lobo’s Milky Ways, ensuring the team’s glycogen stores were fully replenished for the journey home.

A splendid start to Easter!

Until next time.

Margaret and Ash had the dubious honour of having not 1, not 2, but 4 Taskforce members attending their task on this gloriously sunny Saturday. We headed off to Keddlestone Community Centre (a leafy oasis in the heart of Bethnal Green) to finish building a shed. It soon became apparent that none of us had built an Ikea flatpack successfully let alone a shed - but what we lacked in experience we made up for in enthusiasm. A majority decision was made (without me) that I would write up the report. We then headed off to the pub to celebrate completing the task. We are back with Margaret and Ash this Monday.😊

The NATS RSM team gathered in Bethnal Green in the heart of East London today to help out on the Hollybush Estate for their first GoodGym session.

Gathering in pretty Rocky Park, we started the morning with a great intro from Margaret from the Teesdale and Hollybush TRA, who gave us some background on the garden project.

With outdoor space often limited and housing densely packed, shared gardens offer more than just greenery, offering residents a chance to feel connected to where they live.

Margaret and Ash from the estate’s gardening team have been working steadily to transform Rocky Park and the surrounding areas into a space that does just that, turning overlooked corners into bright, usable areas filled with trees, shrubs and garden features.

Many of the trees and plants potted on site today will also be shared with local community groups across the borough.

And so to the task

We initially split into three teams tackling different jobs across the area.

One group worked behind the rear fence, turning tough soil and then preparing an adjacent space for a new log garden. Another team took on the task of potting trees, carefully placing young specimens into pots, ready for delivery to local groups.

At the back of the site, a third team emptied the large compost bays, wheeling barrows of sticks and garden waste to the other side of the park.

Margaret and Ash coordinated the activities and kept spirits high with top refreshments including apples, fruit chews, Creme Eggs, tea, coffee, and juice…

There was nearly a fourth task - digging the ground for a new pond - but the soil turned out to be rock-solid, and the job was reluctantly left for another day.

Finishing with fitness

Having started the session with a warm-up stretch, we ended with a longer cool down, focusing on the muscles most affected by digging, lifting, and wheeling, including lats, pecs, shoulders, and legs.

It was a fantastic morning, summed up by a message from Margaret later in the day exclaiming, “The team were superstars!”
Agreed.

Until next time.

13 GoodGymers gathered this evening (after a slow start, thanks to my inaccurate address on the listing) to lend a hand to the estate’s dedicated gardening group.

The Columbia TRA gardening team is made up of residents who enjoy getting involved in and around the estate’s gardens, and our visit tonight was all about supporting their ongoing efforts.

With the recent dry weather taking its toll on the estate’s many garden areas (not that we’re complaining after the rainiest start to the year in history), it was great to be joining Ed, Ed and Maddie to give the plants a much-needed drink and support ongoing preparations for new growing areas.

After a little coordination, the group split into teams: one group tackled the orchard watering, where the challenge of the night was figuring out how to coax the hosepipe into action (way to go, Chris).

With the water flowing, the team proceeded to fill buckets and watering cans on the first floor, giving the young fruit trees and surrounding plants a good soak under the watchful eye of Ed and Maddie.

Meanwhile, another team got to work moving piles of rubble across the estate (and didn't let up for a second). This was part of groundwork being done for a future garden project—an exciting addition that the gardening group has been planning to bring more life to a different corner of the estate.

Big thanks to the residents who welcomed us in and to everyone who kept the wheelbarrows rolling and the buckets flowing. An extra big shout-out to Lara who joined us tonight for our first task - amazing tough work on your first GoodGym activity, Lara! Hope to see you again soon.

And a whopping cheer for our brilliant Task Force, for helping manage and wrap-up tonight's task.

Next week, we're Limehouse-bound to see Kamal to finish the preparation of the yard...

Until then.

A team of at least a dozen goodgymers (I lost count) came to help out the lovely Janet and Eileen at Cranbook Community Food Garden. Thanks to the clocks going forward we were treated to some actual daylight for the first time in ages. Shout-out to John for reminding me to take some photos to prove that we weren't slacking off in Laura's absence.

We split off into mini groups, each with a dedicated task. Some performed quality control checks on folding tables, keeping the good ones and retiring the rest. Others sorted out sheds at the back, clearing out any rubbish. Litter and leaves (oh the leaves) were were picked/raked/bagged up. Special mention goes to the new rake sourced by Janet which was red and white - a homage to our Goodgym colours perhaps? Or most probably, just a rake.

By the end of the task, the impact of a hard-working group of Goodgymers was clear with Eileen showing her appreciation by bestowing a bar of chocolate on us (thanks Eileen!)

We parted ways (without a stretch this time) having all enjoyed an evening in fine company.

Shout outs to:

• Vidur and Jason on their first Goodgym task. A very warm welcome to you both!
• Ilana on her 50th task. Congratulations!

Until next time...