Tomatoes and Thistles

23 people ran 5.4 km to 6.4 km to water and clear children's garden for Colvestone Primary School and to clear thistles for Mabley Green User Group

Last night's session was run full of chat and chuckling. I don't think I've laughed so much fuelled by the playful antics of Betts and Warmoll. It was also great to have so many experienced black t-shirts in the house - Bryon, Lauren, Patrick and Will - and a nice group of new faces to chat to.

One group of GoodGymers ran to meet the Magical Myra, who magically never seems to have enough tools for the group. Improvisation is always a must here, and this group slit further into two. One group ran back and forth to fill and deliver water bottles to the children's allotment at the side of the primary school - off Ridley Road Market. The other group helped to clear the shed, put in risers for the tomatoes and weeded unwanted plants at the garden's edges.

We started helping Myra a year ago. The site then was devoid of any love, and over a number of runs we cleared the site, brought soil to it and carpeted it in mulch to reduce weeds. It felt good to see what the school's kids had achieved with Myra's expert guidance. There was at least six large planters, all growing vegetables, and in addition to the tomatoes, we spotted peppers, courgettes, lettuce, strawberries and spring onions. We were a little saddened to hear that the growers, now on their summer holidays, would not see their planters in full bloom. Least we got a glimpse of them, and we beavered away happily until the other runners returned with bottled water for the parched plants.

There was no stopping Hewetson last night, and as we waited for the last water bottles, she inspired a series of sprint and jog recoveries along the alley beside the garden, and we enjoyed a run through 'boring' De Beauvoir.

The second group were a mix of bare legged and legging clad heroes who ran to meet Damian (Chair of Mabley Green User Group) on the Green to help clear a big patch of thistles for a kids gardening club. Ouch…Happy to report no plasters or first aid creams were needed, and everyone arrived back at Coffee Is Mu Cup of Tea pretty satisfied with the work and running they had done.

Remember, we're off out for drinks next week for Lauren's birthday - after the session.

Ade Aboaba GoodGym Hackney Coordinator