40 foot of hope

Freezing temperatures didn’t prevent a healthy turnout at Superfit last night with an even mix of seasoned do-goodeers and enthusiastic January new comers. Off we ran, back to Dalston to meet Myra at Colvestone Primary school just to recce the 40 foot growing plot ahead of a full assault next week but before our bewildered host could muster an objection the unstoppable force for good that is Good Gym Hackney set about enthusiastically clearing rubbish, broken bits of garden paraphernalia, and weeds, much to the gratitude (I think) of our host.

The space that we’ll be tackling (again) next week is a narrow strip of garden along side a lovely old school just off Ridley Road Market which was once nothing more than a little piece of wasted tarmac. The space appears to have been adapted beautifully some time ago, with raised beds, pot plants and wood chipping but, having been left to the mercy of nature and local litter-bugs, is in need of some serious TLC. We’ll be returning on Tuesday in order to continue clearing rubbish, digging weeds and sorting a load of plastic bottles, some of which are to be repurposed a little green houses.

Our 30 minutes of gardening was followed by some sprint or ‘elastic’ training in a figure-of-eight around the block next to the school and then a good paced run back to London Fields for a yogic warm down and stretch led by Sarah, pictured above demonstrating the correct way to pigeon a pose all about: “[…] unlocking our deepest fears, traumas and anxieties which releases the pressures put on our lower two chakras.” … which I think means butt cheeks.