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

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.

The team of 15 GoodGymers arrived one by one at the Cranbrook Community Centre just off Roman Road.

It wasn’t long before our group had grown- we were delighted to welcome first-time GoodGymer Zeeshan.

The group promptly divided into three smaller teams to get stuck into the evening’s tasks under the watchful eye of task owners Janet and Eileen.

The first team got to grips with a furniture check... With the centre well-used by local groups and residents we wanted to check a stash of trestle tables were in good condition and safe to use. Each table was tested for wobble before returning them inside, after which the team put some energy into moving the bright and cheerful wendy house to a more suitable spot, before embarking on a thorough litter pick. A surprising amount to collect, the team kept at it, steadily clearing up the outdoor area, leaving it tidy for users of the community centre.

Outside the gates, another team turned their attention to the hedge that runs along the pavement. With branches starting to obstruct the pavement, the pruning team carefully trimmed them back, helping to keep the path safe and clear for pedestrians before heading around to the bin area with the many weeds and branches.

Meanwhile, the third group concentrated on leaf-picking around the garden borders. Over time, leaves tend to collect between the fences and the beds, so the team worked methodically to gather them up, leaving the edges looking neat and cared-for.

We worked quickly and productively for 45 minutes, then shortly before 8, we packed away the kit, gathered for that all-important group photo, and then headed out onto Mace Street. With the daylight fading, we enjoyed a top-to-toe stretching session to round things off.

Another great night in Tower Hamlets, thanks to Janet and Eileen and the wonderful Tower Hamlets GoodGymers.

We break for the Bank Holiday next week, but return to the fun Canal Club Community Garden on September 1st!

Until then.

One by one we arrived at the Canal Club Community Garden on Waterloo Gardens this evening.

The garden and surrounding areas of the community centre has become something of a local hub for growing, relaxing - and getting stuck into outdoor projects.

The centre itself is well-used hub that runs a wide range of local activities from youth projects to gardening and cookery workshops, with the garden being an important part of the centre.

After a quick hello and a look around, task owner Sally briefed us on tonight’s gardening tasks.

Dividing into three teams we made a start clearing the overgrown borders, weeding the paving stones and picking litter.

GoodGymers braved thistles, nettles, bugs and all manner of weeds in tidying up this pretty garden.

Our workout was completed with a few trips carrying full bags of nettles, weeds and soil to the bin lock-up around the corner.

To top it all off, we were treated to homemade lemon drizzle cake, fresh coffee and - for some – a brief dip in the small pool in the cherry tree garden...

Sally was the best task owner and host. What a lovely night.

Next week, we’re Limehouse-bound…

And just in – Rue’s speed session in Victoria Park this Thursday!

Have a good week!

8 goodgymers braved the heat to come to Columbia Primary school and put some proper elbow grease into Monday's task.

Thanks to Ingrid who kindly provided gloves and equipment. Shout out to Ed from down the road who lent us a few extra spades.

A very warm welcome to Alex for coming along to his first task.

Enter the Sandmen: Chris, Kareem and Alex who got to work clearing out the sandpit which had become full of toys. Once this was done they emptied out as much of the sand as they could, which Ingrid wanted to save for future use, into bags.

Emma joined us (once she managed to find the right entrance) and was hired on the spot to be trolley team leader. The job description was moving sand to the garden down the road. It involved navigating a busy cycle super highway and not mowing down pedestrians (mainly ourselves).

Ilana, Sam and Anna were the planter posse. This industrious team emptied out the soil from two worn out wooden planters. Once completed, they came in like a wrecking ball and forcefully dismantled the planters. The way Anna kicked the planters down suggested a serious background in martial arts.

We all came together in the end to tidy away the wooden shreds of the planters and do a general sweep up of the soil.

An amazing effort by everyone involved