The Forest School allotment at St John's needed our help, and we were ready for action! Led by volunteer Alex, we got to work removing pesky bindweed that was creeping up the fences and into the allotment.

With tools and gloves on, Merton tourist Rachael, Emma, and Jana used trowels and forks to dig out the roots, while Luke and Tom took on the perimeter with spades. Rachel untangled the bindweed from the fence with impressive precision.

At halftime, we split into two groups, head torches on, to tackle weeds inside and outside the allotment. Before long, the job was done! To top it off, we got introduced to the resident chickens and rabbits. Mission accomplished – can’t wait to return!

Tonight we were back for our last monthly visit to the Canbury Community Garden 🍅 and the GoodGym flowerbed 🌸for the summer season. We were joined on our Group Run by Olly Whering, one of our local Councillors, and showed him first hand the wonders of GoodGym.

After running 🏃‍♀ 🏃‍♂, cycling 🚴‍♀ and walking🚶 over to Canbury Gardens we split into two teams one moving a shed and the other weeding 🌱the GoodGym flowerbed.

Luke, Ben, Dave and Marie-Noelle donned their gloves and removed the shed from its existing (rotting) foundations. The pallets it was resting on were starting to disintegrate so they were all removed and the ground levelled. Some old paving slabs were then broken up and used as a more solid base. Once the intricate levelling process was completed (involving a plank of wood (and spirit level, to be fair)), the shed was placed back and contents returned.

Emma, Jana and Ben got to work on the weeds 🌱 and leaf clearing 🍂and Sabir tackled the ever-growing laurel 🍃 whilst Claire went on a run 🏃‍♀ up the park for the rubbish sack. Rachel and Olly joined in on the weeding 🌱and the task was completed in record time.

No watering 💦 was required as no sooner had we finished the heavens opened 🌧 which swiftly put and end to any further activity so we headed off 🏃‍♂🏃‍♀🚴‍♀🚶to the pub 🍻for our social and a good natter.

Great to have you along, Olly. Hope to see you at another soon!

A good turn out. All 7 goodgymers arrived on bikes, shankis pony, and running. Tonight was a great workout. The area was well and truly deshedded [RIP] in the hope that a new shed finds it's way to Jubilee Square. Also a load of dead foliage was taken to rebuild the hedge.