Get a twiggle on

Small but mighty

A determined, committed crew headed in to Bow tonight for our final Big Monday Night Task of 2023.

Meeting at the bottom of Harley Grove, we wasted no time in starting the session with a few warm-up moves, a couple of stretches and a lap of the square.

Delighted that the rain had decided not to put in an appearance this evening, we decided to use the wall as our makeshift multi-gym, enjoying seated leg-lowers, dips, incline push-ups and split squats on this stable (dry) surface.

After a few final stretches - a nod to our hard work, our journey(s) to the task and a day at the desk - we wandered around the corner to meet Kieran, who was unloading the kit for tonight's task.

We reassured Kieran that we were a small but mighty bunch tonight, and to proceed with the plan.

Gardening galore for our final Monday night of 2023!

Making our way to one of the larger beds, we formed two teams and proceeded to clear out old plants, stakes, weeds and garden string, stacking stakes in the shed and weeds in the compost bays. This left the bed looking clear and pristine - ready for a new garden project for the Forest School in 2024.

With plenty of time to spare, we then headed around to the poly tunnel and assessed the planter area at the sides of the tunnels. Already partially-filled with leaves, this area was easily capable of taking some more leaves, which are essential for producing fertile ground.

Gathering a bucket each from the shed, we queued for the compost bay, ready to pile our vessels high with leaves, surprised at the number of damp twigs and branches which hampered our speed. As we approached 8pm, we became acutely aware time was ticking and there was still a good bit of depth required in those planters. Grabbing a fork, Kieran proceeded to shovel good-sized amount of the wet, branch-laden leaf pile into our buckets, accelerating the final layer of leaf compost.

And that, as they say, was a wrap.

Collecting all our equipment we made our way back to base (two sheds) to retire the gardening kit for the night and say cheerio to Kieran.

Small but mighty indeed.

(Taking a couple of weeks off ...

...but we return on January 8th, for a brilliant, wildflower bank clearing session in the beautiful Cemetery Park).

Until then.