It was one of those thoroughly miserable autumn evenings when the weather couldn’t decide whether to rain, mist or just make everything feel damp! After a day of fine ‘wet’ rain, the heavens had settled on scotch mist, the gloom was closing in and the light was fading fast. Perfect conditions for a spot of GoodGym gardening, obviously! 😂

Thankfully, my four stalwart GoodGym buddies, Belinda, John, El and Roxy, weren’t going to let a little atmospheric misery dampen their spirits as we headed to St Botolph’s Church garden for an autumn tidy-up.

There was an immediate fashion mystery to solve. Everyone was sporting red… except El, who began to suspect she’d missed an important memo. We reassured her that no memo had been issued, although we did enjoy teasing her.

John, Belinda and El got stuck into pruning a large tree, with the sawing action providing a good upper-body workout. Meanwhile, Roxy and I tackled the ivy creeping along a fence surrounding a very special garden of handmade poppies. After finishing their pruning , John , El and Belinda joined us for some very welcome help.

These beautiful poppies are being prepared and added to ahead of Remembrance Day. By the time the special day arrives, there will be one poppy commemorating every fallen hero listed in the church’s Lady Chapel. A truly poignant project, and a lovely reminder of why our little gardening missions can mean so much. ❤️

Some of the ivy had other ideas and decided to spread itself over the fence. Never one to shy away from a challenge, I took the direct route and jumped over to deal with it. El and John were on hand to capture my acrobatics on camera, before El likened me to Spider-Man! 🕷️ Clearly, I was getting into the 'swing' of things… although I’m not sure Marvel will be calling any time soon!

We certainly had our hands full getting to grips with the ivy, but we refused to let it 'creep' up on us. We were determined to get to the root of the problem and 'leave no vine behind' ( Are you groaning yet ?!😂)

With the light disappearing quicker than our enthusiasm, we eventually called it a day. Despite the gloomy conditions, we all agreed we’d made a huge difference to the garden and were delighted we’d made the effort to turn out.

Another evening of good company, community spirit and a little friendly banter — proving that even when the weather is thoroughly 'unbe-leaf-able' GoodGym can still help things grow!

It was a calm, dull September evening as the GoodGym gang gathered for a litter pick along Windsor Gardens, the lawns stretching out beside the sea.

Tonight’s clean-up crew was Belinda and John, Barbara, Stephane, Julia, Roxy and her four-legged companion Mali the Malinois.

Although there was a slight hitch before we even got started, when I managed to go to the wrong meeting place. 🤦‍♀️

After a bit of backtracking and a gentle reminder that the task leader really ought to know where the task is, we eventually all converged in the right place and got cracking.

Armed with litter pickers and bags, we worked our way along the lawns, clearing up the usual assortment of rubbish that somehow finds its way onto the grass. We certainly weren’t going to let the litter get the better of us but Southern Water has beaten us to the majority of the rubbish having done an extensive clear up yesterday ( Sunday )

Meanwhile, Mali was doing her own thorough investigation of the area, although we're not entirely sure whether she was helping with the litter or simply supervising playing stick chasing with the humans.

And talking of impressive performances…

Roxy had run an absolutely AMAZING 3:36 marathon just TWO DAYS earlier! 🏃‍♀️👏

So while the rest of us were feeling pretty pleased with ourselves for a brisk evening litter pick, Roxy was recovering from 26.2 miles at a pace that most of us would struggle to maintain on an electric bike!

With the lawns looking considerably tidier, the bags filled and the pickers finally put away, it was time to move on to the evening's real highlight…

The Autumn Social!

Belinda and John very kindly welcomed us back to their house for some wonderful hospitality, where we could relax, chat and enjoy some well-earned drinks and a wonderful selection of savoury and sweet snacks.

And, of course, there was the all-important inspection of the new kitchen! It received the full GoodGym seal of approval — beautiful, stylish and definitely worth having a good nose around. We continued our nosing in Johns iconic Dr Who room ( has to be seen to be believed ! )

A lovely way to round off a peaceful September evening: a little litter lifted, plenty of steps clocked up, an extraordinary marathon achievement celebrated, and excellent hospitality enjoyed.

Four GoodGymers arrived at one of our regular tasks. Another of our favourites, where we can always see the difference our hour there makes. One ‘El of a difference, you could say.

Julia quickly made sure everyone knew what tasks they were on - El on wall painting, Belinda on notice board clearing, and John on general lugging, heaving and holding - before setting off to the other Worthing task taking place this evening.

ELementary my dear……

El was in her ELement, making an excELlent job of the painting, ELevating expectations beyond bELief. The vELocity at which she worked left us rELieved that despite being small in number we could still make one “EL of a difference!”

Heartless

No, not Belinda, the noticeboard. Belinda meticulously removed children’s coloured hearts from the notice board. The heart removal was a delicate operation, keeping them all in pristine condition for them to be rehung so they could flutter once more was achieved with a steady hand and a blunt blade. (Health and safety to the fore as always.)

But weren’t there three?

Ah yes, that would be me. Well, I lugged, heaved and held as instructed. Still finding time to lean against the wall, arms folded surveying the success of the others.

A final sELfie

And we were off home.

Another lovely autumn evening found us back at St Botolph’s Church Garden with our hosts, Val and Rik, who had a rather prickly job lined up for us.

The mission? Some serious pruning of the Laurel bushes along the perimeter of the church wall. They’d clearly been enjoying their freedom and were beginning to take over!

With El in charge of the photographic evidence, Barbara, John, Roxy and Ricky got stuck into the cutting, while I took on the glamorous role of wheelbarrow shuttle driver, ferrying load after load of leafy casualties over to the compost heap.

And finally, after what seems like a good few years of GoodGym intervention, we’re beginning to feel that we might actually be gaining control of this beautiful — but wonderfully wild — garden!

Slowly but surely, we’re getting it into shape… one bush at a time. Although judging by the amount of Laurel we removed tonight, the garden may have other ideas!

Another lovely autumn evening, great teamwork and plenty of fresh air.