Planting a new Camden

A sweaty but smiley 24 runners helped Somers Town locally at two tasks and ran between 3.5-5km

This week we met at our original meeting point, welcomed newbie Ellen and celebrated the following news:

1. Well done to Becky for completing her 100 mile ultra marathon last weekend. She is incredible!
2. Awesome work and cheers to Meredith for hitting 50 good deeds and getting her black t-shirt last week.
3. Pritesh talked about the monthly GG social, happening in two weeks time on 6th July, somewhere in the borough of Southwark (but in Peckham).

St Christopher's report by PB:

Upon arriving we were welcomed by various people in the community and lots to do. This is the third time we've been to the Origin Housing group, first we cleared weeds and trees, second we littered picked and weeded some more and this time we planted 40+ plants.

We split into teams:

1. Sarah and Lina planted flowers in the hanging baskets.
2. Chris, Rupert and Alex dung out and sawed a tree, plus put planted two new trees.
3. The rest of the group split into further groups to plant the 40+ plants around the community garden. Using an array of toils and compost to get the job done.

19 GGers + 40+ plants = 25 mins of quick work

Meanwhile Sophie watered all the newly laid plants and everyone got a spray from the hose before our group pic and run to meet Granary Square.

St Mary's House report by Pritesh:

A motley crew of the two Steves (Coman and Lee), Jacob, Alex and myself jogged the short distance to St Mary's House in Somers Town. There we met the lovely Brenda and Becky, two residents, who showed us the work they wanted us to do. Outside Becky’s flat was a planter with an old hydrangea, some out of control ivy and some really very tough soil.

Deeds then Ice Creams

Our task was to remove the unwanted plants and get the soil broken down and turned. With Steve C in chief gardener mode and Jacob and Alex lending the muscles it was left to me and Steve L to do some litter picking and have a chat with Becky and Brenda. It was a lovely task and Becky ended up plying us with ice creams to say thank you – we refused endlessly but no was a not an answer that was going to be taken. We made the executive decision that we needed keep cool and accepted before heading off to join the rest of the group at Granary Square.

Once we'd all met in Granary Square, democracy was in charge for what fitness element would be next. The result led to a proportional representation with two thirds of the group going for a canal run, while the remaining third led by 'Hillary' (Hayley) opted for a conditioning session focused on those glutes!

Next week Pritesh is in charge as I'm away, you are going to Kentish Town City Farm and Castlehaven - sign up here.

PB out.