Monkeying Around In a New Guerrilla Garden

On a gorgeous spring evening (is it summer yet?) eight of Goodgym's finest met in Wanstead to reclaim a piece of lost land and had a 5km adventure to boot! What a way to start the week.

It's official and spring has finally sprung in our special part of East London. With big smiles and blue skies above our heads, we welcomed Catherine, who joined us for her first GG Redbridge run and only her second Goodgym run ever. Welcome Catherine!

With the weekly briefing done in double quick time, it was off down the high street to pick up tools for the night's task. Last year we worked with Wanstead Community Gardeners to reclaim a small square of land next to Snaresbrook Station. Sadly, when patches of lands are left to grow wild, they also become a magnet for litter. Since helping clear and plant seeds in the spot last year, it has blosssom to become a beautiful haven for wild flowers and no longer attracts the rubbish that some lazy individuals seem to be unable to put in the pocket until they get home.

With one success under our belts, it was time to address the patch of land on the opposite side of the street. Armed with hand tools and the odd fork, the crew quickly got stuck in, removing the scruffy grass and pesky weeds with aplomb. 30 minutes later the patch was clear of weeds and rubbish and Linda shook a few seeds over the spot which will hopefully germinate in the coming weeks and start the process of transformation.

With the task complete and satisfied looks on our faces, we headed out into Epping Forest for a little adventure. Redbridge might not look, on paper at least, like the sort of borough where you can feel you are a million miles from London but the paths and trails around our base in Wanstead are beautiful and it's hard to believe the City is only 20 minutes away by Tube. Weaving through the trees and bushes the group covered 5km before returning to base for some light stretching.

Why not join us next week as we finish off painting the ironwork at Wanstead House Community Association before heading out to Wanstead Park and a run along the River Roding - it's a cracking route!