On a crisp autumn morning with a gorgeous mix of cloud and sun, four of us gathered at Usk Street Allotments to lend a hand on their wildlife plot. The air was fresh and the perfect Sunday setting for a bit of outdoor graft.

Our mission? To tidy up the wildlife plot and get it looking its best before the colder months set in. That meant plenty of weeding, clearing nettles, and trimming the edges that had encroached onto the surrounding pavement - with a fair bit of log moving thrown in for good measure!

The sunshine made for a brilliant atmosphere, and even though one quarter of the team might have been feeling the after-effects of a Halloween party the night before, spirits were high. Between tugging at stubborn roots and ferrying logs to neaten up the borders, there was no shortage of teamwork or laughter. By the end, the plot edges were looking sharp, and we had cleared a strip ready and waiting for some beautiful new roses to go in soon.

With good company and plenty of banter, even the most stubborn weeds didn’t stand a chance - or stop us turning the morning into a bit of a sitcom.

Allotments like Usk Street are such an asset to the community - providing a green haven for local residents, a home for wildlife, and a space to grow, relax, and connect. But keeping them in good shape takes ongoing care, so it was great to contribute to that effort. A big thank you to Katherine for welcoming us and showing us what needed doing. The wildlife plot is now looking so much tidier and more inviting - a small but satisfying difference made on a gorgeous autumn day.

What better way to spend a glorious Saturday morning in September than with a spot of apple-tree care in the heart of Bethnal Green? Catherine welcomed 5 of us to Prospect Walk Allotments, a hidden green treasure just off Roman Road, where neat little plots sit alongside a wilder, wildlife-friendly orchard plot.

Our mission was to give three fruitful apple trees a post-summer spruce-up by tackling the jungle of nettles, brambles and weeds at their roots. The aim was to free up space for nutrients to reach the soil – while still keeping the area wild enough to stay a cosy home for bugs and bees.

Armed with gloves, secateurs, comically-small buckets and lots of energy, the team got stuck in. Brambles were wrestled, nettles conquered, and the weeds didn’t stand a chance - especially against Xing (Lucinda’s mum!) who joined us for her very first GoodGym task.
It was an amazing effort and a lot of laughs in the September sun! This one proved that gardening really is a full-body workout!

Allotments like Prospect Walk bring so much joy and value to the community – from fresh produce, fresh air, wellbeing to wildlife. It felt great to leave knowing we’d helped this beautiful space continue to thrive.

We wrapped up by taking a self-timed pic of the 6 of us together, and taking home some rhubarb and rosemary from Catherine!

Well done to all who came 🍏💪 ~ Emma

17 GoodGymers spent their Monday evening helping out at the Prospect Walk Allotments just off Meath Gardens.

The task, led by longstanding task owner Catherine (and supported by Des and Liam) was straightforward but much needed: clearing bindweed from fences and cutting back overgrown trees and weeds that had started to take over the borders.

With private gardens often limited locally, allotments are a great asset for locals, but keeping them usable and accessible takes ongoing effort, so it was good to come and lend a hand with the weeding and pruning of the communal areas tonight.

Armed with gloves and tools, the group made a start, unravelling the long vines and clearing the way for light to reach the plots. (Bindweed's spread across large sections of the site, particularly along the fencing, where it tends to cling tightly and block out sunlight).

The team also pruned tree branches, including the wonderfully-named Heavenly Tree, and removed other fast-growing weeds that tend to creep in when left unchecked.

Working for just over an hour, the GoodGymers covered a great section of the site.

At just after 8 we posed for our final pic and made plans to return to a similar task a few doors down next month! A great night with a good turnout (and a big welcome to Nancy, who joined for her first GoodGym session!).

Until next time.