5 GoodGymers; 10 St Paul's gardeners + a load of weeds = a splendid start to the weekend.

It started a gloriously sunny Saturday morning - perfect for joining the community of St Paul's Church in Shadwell who are embarking on a new gardening project at the church.

Why were we doing this?

Michael, Community Manager at St Paul's, is in the process of creating a regular allotment space for all to use.

St Paul's is a church that sits on Wapping Highway, backing onto the Shadwell basin, and it is the Church community's aim to bring people together from the congregation and outside, in shared spaces, that focus on common interests.

15-strong team

Members of the church congregation, participants of the Church's popular outdoor gym classes and the GoodGymers, promptly formed a 15-strong team and braved nettles the size of, well, large nettles, and the driest soil in the vegetable beds this Saturday morning.

Roots were plucked, soil turned over and sneezes sneezed (yes, pollen, we're looking at you).

Before we knew it, the first group pics were being snapped and tools downed for a lunchtime snack.

The team remained working hard until after 1, when several members departed to the pub for a swift half before heading home for the rest of the weekend.

Shout-outs

The big shout-out today goes to Monica, first time GoodGymer, who was already making new friends and fully stuck into the weeding by the time the rest of us arrived.

...And to Fiona, who swung by after completing a previous task, joining the first ever Stepney Farm litter-pick.

Way to go.