Bramble bashing is a classic GoodGym task but these GoodGymmers were due a surprise upon arrival with the sheer scale of the bramble coverage in these communal gardens. The warm up had been a 20 minute cycle for Emily and an hour long walk for Anne, so we were ready to get stuck in. We met Ms T who had organised tools to be borrowed from the local community centre, along with some giant bags to fill. With the sun shining we got down to business - hacking. We hacked away for a solid 90 minutes, whilst chatting away, and found out that the gardens had once had a lovely lawn. Ms T had tried to keep on top of it but it's a huge task for just one person as none of the neighbours are green fingered and over the years the brambles and weeds took hold. We managed to fill two big bags and clear a decent amount. Ms T was very grateful but there's plenty more to do so watch this space for future listings!

Ms O's privet had been enjoying the record breaking wet weather and put on a good spurt of growth. Ms O called on GoodGym help to cut it back down to size.

Armed with Ms O's shears and her instructions to 'Cut it low. LOW' loud and clear, I soon had the hedge smartened up. But while the hedge was lower, it still wasn't LOW.

Reaching for the second weapon of choice - the secateurs - it was possible to cut through the taller woodier stalks and get the hedge below the height of the fence.

Ms O was delighted with the result, and we both agreed I'd got it lower than either of us expected.