It was another chilly Monday evening for 26 willing GoodGymers gathered at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park.

But spirits remained high as we set out to tackle two key gardening activities: clearing brambles and removing ivy from headstones where the new park’s path is set to go.

About the park

• Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, one of London’s Magnificent Seven cemeteries, serves as a burial ground for over 350,000 people.

• Today, it also functions as popular local nature reserve. Managed by The Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, the park is home to a diverse range of plants, birds, and insects, making it a valuable ecological site.

• Volunteers play a key support in the park’s efforts to maintain a balance between history and biodiversity.

After the usual brilliant briefing from Ken, we set out to tonight’s spot, wheelbarrows filled with tools.

Brambles and ivy, while valuable to wildlife, can quickly become problematic. Brambles spread rapidly, creating dense growth that obscures headstones and restricts access. Ivy is often seen as an attractive feature, but it can cause damage to both stone surfaces and other plant life.

It was a busy 45 minutes: bramble patches thinned, ivy removed, and many trips made to the waste pile.

The group did well, making a difference in the short space of time they were there.

At shortly after 8, we made our final few wheelbarrow trips, collected tools and headed back to the toolshed for one final pic.

Another great winter night in the borough – well done, everyone.

And a special shout-out to our Rue, who led tonight’s run from the Town Hall Hotel!

Next week we return to Rocky Park, to help Ash and Margaret with The Big Planter Overhaul.

Until then.