John Shirley
GoodGym Tinnie-Blowing finalist 2020
Camden
TaskForce
521Good deeds
1,783runs
6,911cheers
TaskForce achievements
4
Community Missions
listed
7
Group Runs
back marked
1
Walking Groups
led
21
Run reports
written
9
Run reports
photographed
Lambeth
Gardening @ Kennington Park
The award-winning oasis of Kennington Park (partly thanks to the work of GoodGym π) needs a little sprucing up after a few months without their regular gardening sessions.
As they're back up and running, we're joining to help out with some watering (it's been a dry Spring), probably some cutting back of bushes and undoubtably a hell of a lot of bindweed removal.
What a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon!! βοΈ
Please bring gardening gloves π§€π§€and meet at the garden here.
Camden
Canoe the Regent's Canal
Paddling along the Regent's Canal in Haggerston is unique way to view East London, surrounded by canal boats the smell of their wood burners and passing by the wildlife. Great social opportunity to get together and it's a good work out for the arms!
The wonderful Laburnum Boat Club will be our host's, they are a fantastic charity working with young people.
The event is Β£10, please bring cash.
Bring a change of clothing too, we won't be doing any rolling but you might still get wet!
Tower Hamlets
The half side of the moon
It was a beautiful Monday evening as the bumper group of Tower Hamlets and neighbouring friends headed back to Hollybush Gardens, a recent staple for Monday night tasks.
We were back in the suitably named Rocky Park area of the estate which whilst stunning is a little tucked away and likely accounted for the late arrival of a few of the team, but a rolling start was ideal as we split into two groups of 6 to work on two separate flower beds to continue our "extreme weeding" and general consensus was that we did an extremely good job of it.
Tools were doled out, and preference of beds was decided with a strong inclination for those here last week to pick the same flower bed as there was certainly a sense of unfinished business and the atmosphere was jovial as we tackled the weeding with gusto and made superb progress.
John, Jennifer, Rohan, Lieke and I tackled the smaller of the two beds with Simon nearby as an exceptional lone ranger single-handedly beautifying two of the round beds π±
The other bed was staffed with the tremendous trio of Becky's alongside Hackney hero Alex, joyous Jo, amazing Aziz and Emma who was exceptional despite this only being her 5th task π
Today's pun is inspired my task owner Margaret's favourite tool, the Half Moon which Aziz was putting to great use prettifying the edges of the beds and doing a much better job of it than I was, which could have been due to him having the superior stainless steel version but way more likely that it's because he's just a better gardener than I am! Margaret's top tip to both of us was the make sure the Half Moon is the right way around to increase the leverage.
We wrapped up after a fun, frenzied hour for a group picture before roughly half of us headed off for a run in the direction of Meath Gardens for Laura's incredible Monday workout in the park. Massive thanks to Becky for being a splendid pace setter as we headed north to the canal to then wend our way down to the resplendent Meath Gardens for a perfect post-task workout.
Islington
Market in your diaries!
Last Saturday marked the return of Goodgym Islington at Market Road Gardens, a super popular regular task set up by Frannie and the Octopus Community Network. We have been helping with this lovely wild green space since August 2019 (just as AA Simon started as a trainer), and all of us have been able to see the transformation over time. This forgotten spot opposite Caledonian Park has now become a quiet flourishing nature spot, popular with school groups, families and users of the Hayward Adventure Playground.
Our team got started with clearing the main pathways and open spaces of litter and green waste, whilst also separating any organic materials for composting. The rest of the team shoveled large quantities of bark and mulch from one storage block to another, to allow the green stuff to become compost for next season. Over time, the mulch will start to become nice and nutritious of the soil and great for planting new flowers later in the year. One of the unique features of Market Road Gardens is the careful maintenance of a wild permaculture throughout the space- the plants are left to grow naturally, with minimal interference from gardeners- a semi-maintained wild garden.
It was wonderful to be back again, and will return very soon! Well done all!
Tower Hamlets
Monday night task: Gardening at Rocky Park in Hollybush Gardens
Our very own Leo leads this evening's Hollybush activity, as we rejoin Margaret and Michael for a variety of gardening activities in Rocky Park.
What you need to know
You'll be meeting in a group of 12 for greeting and briefing only. You will then be be distributed into smaller teams, all over the site, with two task owners.
Tools and gloves will be available, but bring own gloves if you have them, as well as a face covering in case you are working in a confined outdoor space.
We have allowed an hour for this task, but you are welcome to stay longer if there's still work to be done!
This task runs alongside tonight's fitness activity in Meath Gardens. Leo will be leading the fitness crew to Meath after this task if you fancy doing the double!
Need to cancel?
- Numbers are strictly capped for this activity, but Michael and Margaret do need a minimum of six people for each group. So please un-sign with as much notice as possible if you can't make this after signing up. Thank you!
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