Like other GoodGymers, Laura and Linda found that the scorching weather of the UK’s first heatwave of summer 2023 made physical work extra challenging this weekend but with a gorgeous – looking and smelling – rose bed to take care of, our task in Alexandra Recreation Ground proved sunnily satisfying. Sustained by cheerful chatter with the Friends of the Park volunteers, we kept the pace gentle and even had supplies of iced drinks provided by a neighbour. By the end of the session, we had thoroughly dead-headed the many rose bushes to keep them flowering for longer - providing a feast for pollinating insects - and we also cleared invasive climbing plants to stop them choking the growth of shrubs.