This session was a lovely excuse to engage in some nice peaceful gardening.

As a typical city dweller, it can be easy to overlook simple yet impactful acts of garden preservation such as weeding or socialising with people from diverse aspects of life. This mission offered the perfect excuse to do both by gifting us a loving and vibrant atmosphere where people could momentarily escape their hectic routines and dwell upon the peacefulness of reconnection with nature and other humans.

In the end, all we are, are creations of nature meant to connect while helping each other grow like a tall and magnificent sunflower.

On Wednesday evening we gathered at Charlton House, in an unusually negative spin for us at GoodGym - sharing our pet peeves. This evening we were joined by Sunaima and Lisa for their first group runs with us! WE ran to Prince Philip Maritime Collection Centre where Khursheed had a load of tasks for us, including weeding, watering, propping up a giant sunflower, giving the bug hotel a makeover and throwing some rubbish out. Jobs complete some of us ran and some of us walked back to base for a stretch.

Great work everyone!

On Saturday we have gardening at St Richard's and next Wednesday we're back for a Charlton House start to help with the garden at Hervey Road.

Until next time!

8 Greenwich GoodGymers made their way to St Alfege Primary School Community Garden in Greenwich this evening.

Our task was simple: clearing as many weeds as possible... Our main target was the raised beds, which since our last visit have been planted with crops including beetroot and some impressively large radishes. The makings of some great salad there! So keeping the weeds from taking over in these areas is key.

We also made a start on clearing a larger area of overgrowth which required a bit more digging and getting to the root of the matter. We were very impressed by the gardens grapevines, beautifully draping over a pergola area, the perfect spot for a group photo.

(Mean)time got away with us, and it was time for a quick water for the plants and a little post-session social for us, where conversation was slightly overwhelmed by the bells of St Alfege Chuch. Weeding bells indeed.

Welcome back to Olga for her second group run with us!

Next week we're back at the Prince Philip Maritime Museum - see you then!

A lovely Tuesday evening saw Rachel, Sarah, and Cecilia meeting in Woolwich for a short but cheerful run up to Glyndon Community Centre. Once there, we were greeted by Andy, who had a couple of satisfying tasks lined up for us. Armed with brushes, gloves, and plenty of enthusiasm, we got stuck into sweeping the car park and tackling the weeds in the garden area. Between chatting and catching up, we managed to fill four bags full of weeds and debris in just 30 minutes, leaving the space looking much tidier and more welcoming. With the job done and a quick team photo snapped, we said goodbye to Andy and set off on our run back down to Woolwich, a great end to a productive evening.

Coming up: This Saturday, we’re heading to Hervey Road for a gardening session. Next Wedensday, we’re back at St Alfege’s School for some more weeding.

Until next time!

Rachel

Arthur keeps saying we need to bring our litter picks down to the path to Hornfair Park near our home and today I took him up on it and we spent an hour clearing the pathway and tackling a particularly grim corner of rubbish which needs a second go. A lovely lady gave him some sweets for his efforts which made it all even more worthwhile!

Holiday season has arrived, which means Harvest time is on its way too, and the Community Garden at Maryon Wilson park in Charlton is looking amazing, brimming with flowers as well as crops ranging from cucumbers to sweet peas, and courgettes to rhubarb.

Today was our monthly mission here, and a great catch up with Tim and Edna. Our main task was chopping back overhanging foliage, bind weed and similar tree growth to help make the pathways easier to navigate. (Some long armed tree-lopping-choppers, which is possibly not the technical term, were a massive help with the higher branches...!)

A good old sweep up completed our work, so it was time for tea and snacks (massive thanks to Edna) and out through the woods to the rest of the weekend 😎