We achieved a lot at Northcliffe this week, doing lots of lopping to cut back the overhanging growth which had suddenly proliferated and started overhanging pathways through the gardens. The Shipley in Bloom judges are coming next week so this was important work!

I stayed after the session and joined in the plant swap the allotment holders had organised - I got some fantastic new additions for my garden and houseplants collection. And Asimah and I both enjoyed some fabulous chocolate flapjack baked by a fellow volunteer. We both left feeling really positive and excited to carry on the work next month!

A recent expansion of Surplus To Purpose (SToP) to Stourton meant some of the quality checks and excessive waste was dealt by that side of the team making my time here a little easier ;)

Nevertheless, a new clean apron on, sleeves up and then sorted through the good and bad shallots, carrots, potatoes and breads. Did some carrying and cleaning. And met some wonderful people along the way. Great experience.

We had a fabulous morning clearing a path and pulling up invasive Golden Archangel at the Northcliffe Community Orchard today. It's a very beautiful and secluded gem of a spot hidden away in the communal area of Northcliffe allotments.

We're back on Saturday 6th June to make more progress on this lovely space.

What a busy couple of hours. Welcomed by Nikki. Sleeves up and then there was no looking back. Full power mode in action.

Sorted through the fruit and veg. Yes them satsumas again! Separated the good from bad. Stacked up the good ones in boxes for the customers. Stacked up boxes containing the bad ones in storage to be taken away. Quality checked through the free breads and put them out for customers to take.

Did some restocking and some cleaning.

Definitely needed some extra pair of hands.

This week’s GoodGym mission took us to the local allotments for a proper workout with purpose! Our task: clear out an impressive pile of soil and compost from the old bays to make room for a shiny new set of composting stations.

Two GoodGymers teamed up with 7 allotment plot holders for the challenge — digging, lifting, wheelbarrowing, and laughing our way through it. It was the sort of job that gives the legs and arms a run for their money, but with plenty of friendly chat and encouragement along the way.

In just two hours we’d helped shift load after load onto nearby plots and cleared a big chunk of space for phase two of the project. The gardeners were delighted, the compost is now destined for good use, and we left with that classic GoodGym combo: muddy shoes, warm hearts, and pleasantly tired muscles.

There’s more to do to finish the new composting bays, so we’ll be back — and we’d love more people to join us! If you fancy getting fit while doing good in the community (no gardening experience required!), this is the perfect mission. Come along for fresh air, friendly faces, and a workout that really makes a difference 🌱💪

A bright beautiful morning! Today we helped Val at Northcliffe Allotments while listening to the birds singing and chirping. Very calming while we got some hard work done.

Overgrown tree branches were cut down and bramble cut back in preparation for winter.

Bugs house was filled in with branches and leaves and an excess of branches and bramble moved into a pile for bonfire night on winter solstice.