On a fresh, autumnal day, just as the trees were beginning to lose their leaves, we began with the loss of one of our crew: Karolina, being a dutiful citizen, was following public health advice by getting a PCR test instead.

Finding our way

The three remaining GoodGymmers, Sean, Shaun and Mikey, met at the specified property. However, the resident returned a lost expression at the mention of Cadwyn or GoodGym. Sean phoned the contact only to find we were expected at a different address! (Note to self: double check the task location next time). We found our way to the correct address, and, with some perseverance, Mikey found a way to lock our bikes up securely.

Our contact N showed us to the garden, which was lost to a thicket of weeds, junk and neglect. She explained the vision for the garden: a shared space safe for children and accessible for a wheelchair user. To assist in realising this ambition, we would:

• Cut back the overgrown weeds
• Remove litter and junk
• Even the ground where possible

Making up for lost time

We quickly made up for lost time, cutting down weeds and removing as much litter and junk as possible. We found a VHS tape, a cassette tape, various toys, and an over-sized England football. All the while we got lost in conversation on topics from birthday plans to Batmobile dreams.

Then, while Mikey got to work on chopping down the dense sea of nettles, Sean and Shaun conspired to flatten the earth. This involved loosening the soil and ripping out roots that seemingly ran to the centre of the Earth. Mikey discovered some weed suppressant sheets, and we used them to cover the freshly flattened ground.

After a customary group photo and promise from N of a shout-out on Cardiff Radio, it was time for us to get lost (or so we thought).

Epilogue

In the process of securing our bikes, Mikey had lost a wheel-nut. Shaun navigated us to a local cycle repair shop, where they found a spare part, allowing Mikey to cycle off to his second mission of the day over in Rhymney. Finally, a short while after exchanging goodbyes, Sean and Shaun found themselves queueing at the same café, and reflected on an eventful morning over a hot drink.

On a gorgeous Saturday morning, 5 good gym members arrived at Clive Street eager to see with their own eyes the mysterious garden of happiness. They were first greeted by Emma, who showed them the back garden, the tools and most importantly the jelly babies!

The task was one of the most straightforward they have had lately:

• clear the garden from the weeds.

At first, it seemed daunting as the back garden was rather large and some of the weeds, such as nettle began to look like trees.

The team, formed of Michael, Sean, Lowri, Martin and Karolina began hacking away in complete silence. They were all too focused on the goal and that "after" picture. While clearing, a friendly neighbour popped up saying there are hedgehogs living at the bottom of the garden. No surprise there! It was a haven for all kinds of species including spiders, bees, leaf bugs. Carefully then, the team proceeded to pay attention to all kinds of creatures.

Halfway through the task, they have realised that the garden is covered with plastic sheets and so there was no digging involved at all. There was also very little rubbish apart from bricks and stones that were there to keep the sheets in place. In 1 hr they have cleared 80 % of the site and decided it is a good time to leave it at that. The bottom of the garden was perfect for wildlife if left as is.

Despite being stung by tree size nettles, the team was very pleased with their efforts. Although the garden has a long way to go, the difference they have made was huge. Now, the residents and the housing association can at least see what really hides beneath the bindweeds and nettles.

They will without a doubt make the garden wonderful for years to come.

Interesting facts:

• It was the first community mission for Cadwyn Housing Association, which is a non-for profit organization aiming to provide affordable accommodation for people of all walks of life. Their partner organisation is Nulife Furniture which Good Gym helped out before.
• it was the 200th community mission for Martin and the 25th for Karolina.
• Hedgehogs are the gardeners best friends as they eat slugs. It is good to leave patches of gardens unkept so they can go about their lives undisturbed (https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/animals/hedgehogs/garden)
• Bindweed - Although a troublesome weed for many gardeners, bindweed flowers do provide pollen for bees and the leaves are a source of food for the larvae of convolvulus hawk moths (source https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=241)