After a rainy start, the skies brightened over Ham Lands just as the weather apps had promised and a group of seven hardy GGers gathered together on Riverside Drive to meet the Friends for our regular monthly briefing.

Rather than the usual task of clearing broken branches, dead vegetation and brambles from the muddy ground, today Sharon asked us to clear away some ground-growing ivy from around the base of a tree, where it was stifling the growth of other plants and causing issues with biodiversity. We welcomed Layla for her first time at Ham Lands, and were delighted to see both Rebecca and Gavin as together we formed the Ivy League, ready to do battle with our tenacious green foe.

We donned gloves and tooled up with forks, rakes and mattocks and spread around the base of the tree. The ivy was one tough customer but the sheer force of the League proved too much for it. Well, as Rebecca said, we gave it a good haircut anyway.

After tackling such a formidable enemy even the members of the toughest League need to restore energy levels so we repaired to the Swiss Bakery for delicious coffees and flammenkuche worthy of superheroes.

Next mission back on the Ham Lands will be on 9th April - look out for a listing soon.