Why did you go and put soil in my eyes?

On a glorious GoodGym Saturday a smashing squad of 12 of us met at picturesque Parkview for a typically varied set of fun tasks to help their exemplary estate. The sun was shining and everyone was in excellent spirits and we have a most enjoyable hour and a half together ☀️

We were met by the dynamic Catherine, along with her partner and son Liam, who kicked things off for us by laying out the tasks to get us underway and then were always on hand to provide support, guidance and kneeling pads (thanks Liam!) throughout the lunchtime session.

I joined Alex and Becs in the unloved garden for a fast and frenzied weeding session. Fortunately, the weeds were delightfully easy to wrench out of the soil and with some judicious use of the forks to uproot anything a little more tricky we absolutely transformed the patch ready for some roses to be planted there in the coming weeks. It was an action packed endeavour as we raced to get the whole patch cleared, and with one ill-timed dispatching of weeds over the fence into the bin as a gust of wind swept through the estate leading to a load of soil being flung at a nearby, unsuspecting Becki who also took a load of soil to the face leading to some furious eye rubbing by us both. Whoops!

Alex and Issy were in the lovely community garden potting acorns which will hopefully blossom into full blown oak trees for the estate and wider community to enjoy 🌱

Ceiling and Jenny were tasked with watering and they did such a good job that they not only managed to water all the saplings but they themselves got a great showering too! 🚿 After a solid dousing in the sunshine they also swooped in to help with the acorn planting too 🌲🌲🌲

Fiona was back again in her element weeding the area she'd helped cultivate on her last Community Mission at Parkview, and was joined by Isabelle who between them made such a difference in the area helping the lavender to thrive as an essential part of the ecosystem in the estate.

Upstairs is the iconic Glasshouse, Curtis and Heather were doing their best long-rubber-armed Mr Tickle impressions leaning out of the windows to clean up the window boxes with some extensive dead-heading. From my vantage point I very much enjoyed the transformation as the dead flowers were removed leaving those remaining to shine and really brighten up the building exterior 🌹 🌺

Laura was, as ever, flitting about doing a million amazing things, helping out wherever she went as she collected some spectacular photos of the group and spread joy to all of us. Particularly notable was her dedication to getting the best photos by sprawling on the floor to ensure she got a flattering image for the group photo at the end.

As we wrapped up, a few of us rewarded ourselves for our good work with a trip just round the corner to StreetEat in Victoria park to enjoy a cool drink in the sunshine 🍻

Special mentions

• A massive welcome to Curtis for his first ever GoodGym task, with a big thanks for Alex for bringing along his best friend in the world to see what GoodGym is all about. We'd love to see you again next time you're around, and hope to see you picking up where you left off back in Chelmsford.

• It was also great to welcome back relative newcomers Heather and Issy for their second and third good deeds respectfully. Looking forward to you becoming a big part of the group!

• We were very spoilt to be joined by communications supremo Becs who took some absolutely wonderful photos of us all for this report. Thanks also to her quick wit in the face of adversity (windswept soil) we also have a brilliant pun too! 📷

• It was a delight to welcome Alex from neighbouring Hackney for her first even Tower Hamlets adventure - can't wait to have you back again with us Alex!

• We were also honoured to host Jenny all the way from Croydon. That's real dedication on a Saturday and you were a real whirlwind of joy and we would love to see you again.

• Ceiling is absolutely smashing it in August having done her 14th good deed this month - you're an incredible addition to the group! Keep up the good work.

• Close behind her in good deeds for August is our latest addition to the Task Force Alex who has done so so much for us in his first month with us 😎