Monday saw us return to the Cemetery park to help Ken tidy up an area by clearing brambles and other 'verdant villains' from stealing the light and space from other plants. We worked among the graves chopping and pulling bramble roots and small trees to clear space around the historic headstones and protect the other plants.

We braved the thorns and spooky surroundings to complete a successful task. And Ken filled us in on the interesting history of the Cemetery along the way.

Thanks everyone for a job well done and a big welcome to Dan on his second Tower Hamlets task!

We braved the cold and darkness on Monday night to help Ken with some flower planting in Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. Trowels and head torches at the ready, we split into groups and set about digging holes and planting hundreds of daffodil bulbs throughout an area of the cemetery park. We worked our way diligently through all of the planting, some even digging so furiously that their tools snapped!

Big welcome to Ariane who joined as from Hounslow. And a big thank you to everyone for a very productive evening. Make sure to take a stroll through the park from February to April to see the fruits of our labour!

Before the task, early arrivers indulged in a spot of bat watching and we were introduced to the bat detector!

At 7pm, we gathered around as Ken took us through the ABCs of bulb planting. Then we were on our way across the park with our trowels and head torches. We dug deep (to save the bulbs from the squirrels!) and planted 200 bulbs between us around the park. Looking forward to spring to see our handy work bloom and the park come alive with tulips and crocuses!

Shout out to our newest members of the group Beth and Ryan. See you all again soon!

It was a fantastic evening last night at the Canal Club Community Garden.

With a brilliantly-sized team, the preparation started early as Paul, Dharmesh and John set about tonight’s big greeting effort. As GoodGymers arrived one by one the hall was filled with the sound of animated GoodGymers catching up after the weekend and welcoming new and not-seen-for-a-while faces. A big warm welcome to Beth, who joined for her first GoodGym!

Tonight’s task owners were the brilliant Sally, accompanied by Dominic, who were both unfazed by the size of tonight’s group.

With one team quickly dispatched to the rear garden to help clear the area around the shed and empty the pool, other teams were tasked with a big garden blitz ahead of the big Open House Festival on September 14th. Heading to the canal side garden, the front wildflower patch, the side borders and the rear of the building, it was 45 minutes of diligent, effective weed plucking and clearing.

Thanks to Sue for brilliant project-management at the front of the centre, who thankfully knows her hollyhocks from her hogweed and so the front patch blitz meant all the right plants remained in tact.

As is the case every week at GoodGym, the time flew. With the last bin bag full of soil, weeds and debris dispatched to the lock-up around the corner, we made our way out to the tree in front of the hall (thanks for the location direction, Emma J ;)) before making our way inside for some of Sally’s spectacular lemon drizzle cake and a cuppa.

With this being my final Monday night as your very lucky Area Activator, we enjoyed a real get together both in the hall and at the pub after. Thank you to our wonderful, wonderful Task Force, Ivo and our regular members for an absolutely cracking night to remember.

Next week, we’re back to the pretty gardens on the Parkview Estate to see what DIY and gardening tasks our Des has in store for us…

Until then.