The rain started during the afternoon, so it wasn't unreasonable to think it might have fizzled out by 7.

No such luck.

But a great-sized group of GoodGymers nonetheless donned waterproofs and head torches and headed out to Rocky Park, in the heart of the Hollybush Estate, to join Margaret and Ash in the big garden makeover.

Why were we here?

• Margaret and Ash are are part of the Teesdale and Hollybush TRA, an active, productive Tenants and Residents Association working across the two estates. Since 2008, the TRA have transformed 13 disused sites, with the help of volunteers, 'creating a mini Eden where local nature can thrive.'

• There's a big project underway at the moment: the redevelopment of the planters in the communal garden areas, park and allotments. Over the last few months, GG TH Task Force and Margaret and Ash have worked hard to redistribute a whopping 96 tonnes of soil!

• Tonight we were carrying on that tough task - emptying old planters of soil, redistributing the soil, and demolishing the planters (as fun as it sounds).

The teams were divided into four initially, which then became five, spread out all over Rocky Park emptying planter after planter with the rain not taking a break. The bags were filled, to be moved another day ("That's something to worry about another time.") and a lot was achieved in a mere 45 minutes.

With just a small corner of a planter remaining at 7:45, we called it a day, making our way back to the centre to grab bags and leave gloves to dry.

Posing for that all-important final pic, we said our cheerios to Margaret and Ash, tentatively making a plan for a December visit.

The shout-outs

A big shout-out to the whole team tonight, who showed up ready for a big physical task, despite the wet night. And a huge shout-out to Vanessa, who joined for her first ever GoodGym! Amazing work, and we hope to see you again soon.

Next week we're Limehouse-bound, ready to crack on with the painting and leaf-clearing with Kamal down at Ocean Youth HQ.

Until then.

Monday night is Margaret night, quite often. She’s the cheery lady we help at Rocky Park, an urban growers project. This time we encountered a severely reduced number of planters, and instead, many larger-than-usual soil bags filling the area. Our task, simple but typical, was to fork (and shovel, and spade) the high-quality soil from the remaining planters to the bags, to facilitate a more methodical arrangement of planters to which the soil can eventually be returned.

As well as a strong workout, this provided the chance to catch up with everyone’s news. Danya is still recovering from a party to celebrate the “last year of her youth”, while Louise has moved house and is currently lodging in someone’s kitchen sink (or something like that). Dan has been mixing with celebrities – he was recently chatting to no less than Basil Brush! And welcome to his first Monday night task Alejandro, who, unlike Paddington, never returned to Peru after arriving in London five years ago.

Meanwhile, another Basil joined our group picture – he’s the one wearing orange. I don't think he'll join us at the Felix Project on Saturday (https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/saturday-morning-session-at-the-felix-project-s-poplar-depot-5b0a18c7-38fd-4390-b56d-ef4bef0243da or https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/saturday-afternoon-session-at-the-felix-project-s-poplar-depot-ad18c1d2-b2e1-4c22-aea3-371481b26272, but you can..

And we’ll be back at the Cranbrook Community Centre next Monday https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-big-monday-night-task-november-garden-clearing-at-cranbrook-community-food-garden.

Also - don’t forget to sign up for the BIG SOCIAL on Thursday 14th https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/celebrate-goodgym.

Happy Good Gymming and Keep Pets Indoors!

Four intrepid GoodGymers joined Mags and Ash for two hours in the Rocky Park garden and made impressive work in emptying two raised beds and freeing lots of potatoes. Spades in hand, we made short work of filling numerous enormous sacks with earth. Most impressive of all was Kitty, Lucinda and Oliver managing to empty a whole bed. Well done, guys!

We were delighted to be joined by Wicket and Basil who helped keep us all entertained. We’ll be joining Mags and Ash on the Hollybush Estate on Monday, 4th November.

We embarked on the archetypal GoodGym task - moving something, so it can be moved back later.

What's happened is that the planter beds at Rocky Park were laid, many years ago, in a diagonal formation. But if only they were squarely aligned with the park walls, there'd be room for eight more.

Which, of course, is where GoodGym came in. We were needed to shovel the earth out of the beds, so they could be re-aligned later, then re-filled with earth.

Like a grabber machine at an arcade, Emma's spade dug deep and occasionally came out with a prize - a small potato. Enough attempts, and she'd got enough spuds for a Sunday roast. When added to the aubergines and peppers provided by our hosts at the end, there was enough for a tasty curry!

After two hours, we'd shifted EIGHT TONNES of soil, and additionally Oliver and Lobo had pulled down an unwanted ropey/wooden roof. It only remained for us to check the progress made following our last visit (see pavement picture).

Hmmm, I wonder whether there's a fitness/volunteering organisation who could help at a later date with shovelling the earth back into the beds...

On this sunny Saturday early afternoon, our small but mighty team (of 6) gathered at the Ellsworth Street roundabout, ready to tackle a rather earthy challenge. We were greeted by the ever-energetic Margaret and Ash from the Teesdale & Hollybush TRA, who directed us to our mission: moving tonnes of soil that came from old dismantled flower beds outside Ellsworth House to Rocky Park, a good 100+ metres away.

Some of the flower beds had been dismantled, and others had been rebuilt to help with upkeep, and it was up to us to ensure the surplus soil made its way to its new home. Armed with shovels and wheelbarrows, we plunged into the task. Under the blazing sun, it was all about mud, sweat, and- well, maybe not quite tears, but definitely some serious determination! The soil flew into the wheelbarrows as we pushed, pulled, and rolled our way through the distance, navigating around tight corners in Rocky Park and through the heat.

The dynamic duo, Oliver and John, also teamed up with Margaret at the beginning of the session to expertly fill the topsoil into the beds outside the house, making sure the area looked its best. We all then continued the relay to Rocky Park, with each trip feeling like a mini-marathon but made light-hearted by good humour, Margaret's 'sweat catcher' (a face mask around the ears, pulled up to the forehead - quite ingenious!) and a shared sense of purpose.

In just over an hour (much less time that we thought it would take!) we’d shifted what felt like mountains. Despite being a small group, our effort had a big impact, showing what can be achieved when some mighty GoodGymers pull together! Margaret and Ash were so grateful for our help.

A big shout-out to everyone who joined in and had faith in me to lead the task! It might have been hot, and the soil might have been heavy, but the sense of accomplishment made it all worthwhile. And hey, who knew moving soil could be such a workout?

Until the next muddy mission! 🌱💪🌞 Emma

Writes Charlie,

"We gathered for yet another memorable evening of volunteering at this well-known urban community garden in the heart of Bethnal Green.

What started as a routine mission to move soil and wood chips quickly turned into an unexpectedly lively and fun event—complete with record-breaking attendance, a pink-hued sunset, and the kind of teamwork that would make even the busiest ant colony jealous.

We were all hands on deck right from the off.

As soon as the shovels hit the ground, it was as though we collectively tapped into some sort of communal rhythm. A human chain formed, with everyone passing, digging, and moving soil with the efficiency and focus of, dare I say it, a swarm of ants. You could almost hear the theme music to a heist movie playing in the background. (Instead of robbing a bank, however, we were enriching the earth and helping the garden flourish).

Emma, assumed the role of our unofficial forewoman. Her managerial oversight was crucial to the operation—spurring us on from a comfortable vantage point. (We’ll pretend the regular supply of snacks and much-needed pep talks didn’t help that much).

We also welcomed a couple of new and familiar faces into the fold: Ramón, the rookie of the group, stepped into the gardening scene with admirable enthusiasm. And then there was Anton, back for his third round of soil-shoveling glory.

As the evening progressed, the sun began its slow descent, offering one of those final summer sunsets you wish you could bottle for the darker months ahead.

The sky turned a brilliant pink, casting a soft, warm light over the garden, a reward for our hard work.

Hard to say what felt better: the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of our labour come together, or the stunning sight that marked the end of the day.

And the best part? We finished everything double quick. Whether it was the accompanying breeze, our ‘swarm-of-ants’ approach, or simply the record turnout, we blitzed through what should’ve been an all-day task in less than an hour.

Of course the evening wasn’t complete until we wrapped at a pub nearby. What’s an evening’s productivity without a pint to celebrate. So a few of us found our way to local favourite, The Approach Tavern. With (garden) gloves off, dirt-free pints in hand, we toasted to an evening well spent and a garden well nurtured.

Cheers to all who came out. Here’s to the first of some fabulous Autumn evenings, both in the garden and down the pub."

Tonight's big shout-outs

• To Charlie, and Emma, powered by ChatGPT, for tonight’s splendid report.

• To Gurprit for tonight's ace pun.

Next week we're back to the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park for our first Autumn visit!

Until then.