On a bright April Monday evening, a group of 15 GoodGymers gathered at the Rocky Park community garden nestled in the heart of Hollybush Gardens.

Led by Margaret and Ash—and enthusiastically supported by canine companions, Basil and Wicked—the team rolled up their sleeves for a productive session of digging, lifting, and laughing.

The garden is currently undergoing a transformation, with particular focus on the planters and borders – GoodGymers have been attending regularly to help progress the project.

We were divided into three teams to tackle different tasks: One group focused on turning and depositing soil into the compost bays (better than leg day, in my opinion). Another team tackled a sizeable planter, digging and turning the earth in preparation for new planting. Meanwhile, a third team worked with precision and care (I think), relocating dozens of newly potted donated trees and shrubs.

The pace was brisk, the company sublime and the tasks certainly gave some participants a solid Monday workout.

As we approached 8pm, tools were collected, wheelbarrows stacked, and the ideal group shot spot identified.

After perfecting the pic and making a quick final fuss of the dogs, Best Task Owner in the World, Margaret, presented the team with Easter eggs, accompanied by Lobo’s Milky Ways, ensuring the team’s glycogen stores were fully replenished for the journey home.

A splendid start to Easter!

Until next time.

The NATS RSM team gathered in Bethnal Green in the heart of East London today to help out on the Hollybush Estate for their first GoodGym session.

Gathering in pretty Rocky Park, we started the morning with a great intro from Margaret from the Teesdale and Hollybush TRA, who gave us some background on the garden project.

With outdoor space often limited and housing densely packed, shared gardens offer more than just greenery, offering residents a chance to feel connected to where they live.

Margaret and Ash from the estate’s gardening team have been working steadily to transform Rocky Park and the surrounding areas into a space that does just that, turning overlooked corners into bright, usable areas filled with trees, shrubs and garden features.

Many of the trees and plants potted on site today will also be shared with local community groups across the borough.

And so to the task

We initially split into three teams tackling different jobs across the area.

One group worked behind the rear fence, turning tough soil and then preparing an adjacent space for a new log garden. Another team took on the task of potting trees, carefully placing young specimens into pots, ready for delivery to local groups.

At the back of the site, a third team emptied the large compost bays, wheeling barrows of sticks and garden waste to the other side of the park.

Margaret and Ash coordinated the activities and kept spirits high with top refreshments including apples, fruit chews, Creme Eggs, tea, coffee, and juice…

There was nearly a fourth task - digging the ground for a new pond - but the soil turned out to be rock-solid, and the job was reluctantly left for another day.

Finishing with fitness

Having started the session with a warm-up stretch, we ended with a longer cool down, focusing on the muscles most affected by digging, lifting, and wheeling, including lats, pecs, shoulders, and legs.

It was a fantastic morning, summed up by a message from Margaret later in the day exclaiming, “The team were superstars!”
Agreed.

Until next time.

13 GoodGymers gathered this evening (after a slow start, thanks to my inaccurate address on the listing) to lend a hand to the estate’s dedicated gardening group.

The Columbia TRA gardening team is made up of residents who enjoy getting involved in and around the estate’s gardens, and our visit tonight was all about supporting their ongoing efforts.

With the recent dry weather taking its toll on the estate’s many garden areas (not that we’re complaining after the rainiest start to the year in history), it was great to be joining Ed, Ed and Maddie to give the plants a much-needed drink and support ongoing preparations for new growing areas.

After a little coordination, the group split into teams: one group tackled the orchard watering, where the challenge of the night was figuring out how to coax the hosepipe into action (way to go, Chris).

With the water flowing, the team proceeded to fill buckets and watering cans on the first floor, giving the young fruit trees and surrounding plants a good soak under the watchful eye of Ed and Maddie.

Meanwhile, another team got to work moving piles of rubble across the estate (and didn't let up for a second). This was part of groundwork being done for a future garden project—an exciting addition that the gardening group has been planning to bring more life to a different corner of the estate.

Big thanks to the residents who welcomed us in and to everyone who kept the wheelbarrows rolling and the buckets flowing. An extra big shout-out to Lara who joined us tonight for our first task - amazing tough work on your first GoodGym activity, Lara! Hope to see you again soon.

And a whopping cheer for our brilliant Task Force, for helping manage and wrap-up tonight's task.

Next week, we're Limehouse-bound to see Kamal to finish the preparation of the yard...

Until then.

On another chilly Monday evening, ten dedicated GoodGymers gathered at the Tower Hamlets Community Transport base to support local youth organisation, Ocean Youth Connexions.

The group took on several important tasks this evening, including clearing the fence area, relocating soil, and painting two large containers as well as a balcony railing.

Our activity with Ocean Youth at the base over the last eight months have helped to enhance the premises by improving its outdoor area, thereby assisting the charities in maintaining a safe and functional environment for their administrative and training activities.

Clearing the fence area involved removing debris, ensuring the space became tidy and accessible, while relocating the soil required the team to shift large amounts of earth to designated areas.

Three teams headed to the painting tasks: tackling the two large containers required physical effort and plenty of precision. The GoodGymers, however, managed to ensure even coverage, while working in tight spaces at different heights. Painting the balcony railing also required a steady hand and careful technique to cover intricate metalwork…

It was after 8 when we decided to call it a night, Gathering brushes, overalls, paint trays and tools, we headed back into the building, to gather for our final picture.

Another great evening down in Limehouse.

A big well done to the whole team for getting so much done tonight.

Next week, it's back to Rocky Park!

Until then.