The team was on a mission to move a mountain of soil from the pavement to the beds on the platform! We didn't quite crack the logistics of timing the bucket filling with carrying and delivering along the platform, but we certainly got a great workout from all the shoveling, lifting, and climbing up the steps. We also enjoyed the added bonus jobs of sweeping up spillages both on and off the platform (oops!) and some watering up on the embankment. It was a productive evening and a great opportunity for a social afterwards in the nearby Raynes Park Tavern to meet everyone properly.

This is always a really good session, even if it is located at the top of a steep hill (that's where the gym element comes in!) Task number one was moving some wooden sleepers into position to make an area to grow ‘edibles’ , clearing away wood chip and then spreading compost in the bed. There were also a couple of shrubs to move and a couple to remove, some relocating of plants plus general tidying and watering. Maggie kept us busy and the refreshments manager (aka Maggie’s husband) kindly ensured we stayed hydrated and fuelled with ginger beer, pomegranate juice and ice creams! The unexpected spots of rain didn’t dampen our spirits and it was great to welcome Henry to his first task.

The Merton posse turned up at the community garden armed with their gardening gloves, knee pads and trowels, all set for a session of weeding. But as it turned out, first on the list of tasks was relocating the numerous (but very well hidden) caterpillars from the cabbage patches into the wild flower area.

Some of us were better than others at spotting the tiny green creatures, but thankfully there was plenty of watering, dead heading and general tidying of this wonderful community resource to keep those of us with less than great eyesight busy. And a gardening task wouldn't be a gardening task without at least a little weeding.

Any calories burnt off over the hour were more than made up for by the Scottish delicacies kindly shared with the team by Rachael. So everyone left with a smile on their face and sugar on their tongues. Well, you've got to refuel, right?