Hot dig-gety

It is a testament to true GoodGym grit and commitment that in the pouring rain, a group of ten lovely people turned up to help their community - amazing job. It was wonderful to see some faces new to Wandsworth, and some familiar ones back again.

We even had a reporter from the South West Londoner newswire there to do a little piece on us, despite the drizzle. Fame at last!

Our task was at St Mary's church in Balham, where head volunteer gardener Marian had asked us to come and help prepare the ground ready for the planting of several rose bushes that they had been donated. Before we set off we did our weekly warm up and talked about our dream holiday destinations, which featured Hawaii, the Philippines, Costa Rica, and Cuba. I think you could tell we were feeling the cold, because Norway was the only northern hemisphere country chosen!

It was a two mile run down to the church through the common and on to the busy streets of Balham. We soon arrived to find Marian waiting for us with tools, bags and bottles of water. We had a little lesson in a weed called alkanet - every day is a school day at GoodGym! - and then got cracking.

We dug, turned over soil, got rid of ivy, eliminated weeds and filled bags. Check out the very bad before and after shots to just about make out how much we got done. I can only apologise for the bad quality! Just under 45 minutes later we had made a big difference, so after one final group photo we braved the incessant rain and headed back to the Arts Centre, forgoing our usual fitness session (I ignored the cheers...)

All that was left was to stretch and dry ourselves off. Great work, team. Next week we'll be back to finish off the job - you can sign up here hope to see you there for some slightly less damp doing good and getting fitter. As always, everybody welcome! Until then, have a week of happy and safe running.