Lock, lock, lockin’ on heaven’s door

With the background of a beautiful sunset, we met at our usual spot outside the Battersea Arts Centre for last night's group run. Given the stunning streaked sky, it was perhaps appropriate that our job for the evening was at the aptly named Paradise cooperative garden!

This lovely hidden garden managed by volunteers aims to connect food, nature and people through sustainable urban farming and community gardening and by cultivating under-used land in Wandsworth. It's right opposite Wandsworth prison so visitors are also welcome to use the space to relax and reflect.

After a steady run through the streets of Clapham we arrived at the garden, and the weekly crack-the-code challenge began. Last week we finally managed to beat the combination, but last night's lock breaking attempt took slightly longer. Finally it was Annabel who managed to defeat the padlock (maybe it was the new gloves?) and got us in.

In perhaps a GG first we had been sent the instructions by advance video, which was really helpful, so while the team grabbed the popcorn, I tackled the further three locks which separated GoodGym from the tools we needed. Finally we were united and the task could begin. While Catherine, Dave and Janice got stuck in patching up the holes in the polytunnel, the rest of the group followed the somewhat complex instructions on sorting the compost bins out. After 45 minutes the tunnel was newly free from leaks and the compost was sorted and ready to be used. Well done team! Luckily the locks were much easier to manage going out, and making doubly sure we weren't leaving anybody to spend the night in the garden with the pumpkins, we set back off again.

Next week we are paying a visit to beautiful Doddington rooftop garden, a former multistory carpark transformed into a community space. You can sign up for the session right here. While you're there why not sign up for our spooky Halloween run and social -tricks and treats guaranteed!