This was the first of two GG Bexley sessions at the Community Hospice warehouse sorting donations this weekend.

When we arrived James from the warehouse team had lots of bags of donations ready for us to tackle.

We did well - got through two cages of clothes, and found many surprises. Highlights were the silver pair of shiny budgie smugglers🤣, a very unusual large soft toy badger with a smart coat 🦡, and a long animal tail-like thing which might have been a key ring (it was left in the office for investigation!)

One man had donated a full set of motorcycle leathers 🏍, and we had Rotary Club regalia as well.

Winter coats abounded - must be spring!

Afterwards it was a nice walk back home in the sun for me.

After a short run down from the Crook Log Sports Center we met up with Ann at the Cannon. She had already started picking up paper blowing around in the wind! We managed to tidy the whole area and around the Library too. Ann managed to secure the lock on the gate which was proving to be tricky and we headed home just before the sunset 🌅.

This is our new monthly session working with Jason, the head gardener at The Community Hospice.

Our focus was the long border, taking out unwanted plants so the plot can be re-planted when it's been properly prepared.

'Team Roses' got physical digging out several rose bushes to allow the remaining Tender Loving Care roses, bred especially for the Hospice, to be the stars of the show.

'Team Sedge' also needed muscle power to uproot the grassy clumps of Carex pendula that were attempting to crowd out other plants.

'Team Leek' took a more delicate approach, carefully removing the invasive Three-cornered Leek plants - Allium triquetrum - that had been stealthily invading the area. Getting out the entire bulb and roots was the aim of the game here, all with the aroma of onions!

It's always amazing to see how much a team of enthusiastic GoodGymers can achieve in such a short time.

After tidying away the tools we enjoyed tea and coffee in the Hospice café.

We'll be back on the fourth Saturday of each month. Come along and together we'll help Jason realise his plans for the gardens of this wonderful charity.