Just Scraping the Surface

On a bright and sunny Friday morning, five fabulous GoodGymers rocked up at Rotunda College, ready to rid the community well-being garden of a year's worth of weeds.

Terry, the gardener, and assistant Steve were waiting for us with tools and wheelbarrows at the ready. The garden has been closed for a year, so was in need of a lot of tlc. Terry had been shielding, so was very grateful of the help.

Carol, Linda and I set to with a hoe each and cleared around the raised beds and edges of the garden.

Meanwhile, Mat and Ema joined Terry, shifting a whole heap of soil...they are quite the experts at soil shifting now.

Steve had a more sombre role to perform, as he set up a separate, enclosed part of the garden in readiness for a funeral party for later in the afternoon.

Several members of the college staff popped in to see how we were getting on, and to thank us for the work that we were doing, including CEO Maxine, who was amazed at the change. We were even treated to cups of tea and a whole tray of sandwiches ( Mat very kindly allowed us all a share). There were also lots of bunches of flowers needing homes that were offered to us.

Within 45 minutes, the difference was obvious. Terry was amazed, and said that he felt re-energised working alongside such enthusiastic GoodGymers 😁

After just under two hours, the garden area was transformed. Most of the weeds had been scraped, dug and pulled up, overgrown plants had been cut back, and all of the soil had been removed.

There are still jobs to be done...as in any garden...so we may well make a return visit soon. Terry has some plans for planting, so watch this space.