We enjoyed something a little different this weekend with a combined task in Cambridge, welcoming GoodGymers from Tower Hamlets to join us at Fox Den Community Allotment.

Becky, Debbie and I met tourists Darren, John and Kareem at the station, where Darren led us in a mobility focused warm up before we set out for a jaunt to the allotment. Taking a scenic route along the river and across the common, we soon had the allotment in sight, and never one's to turn down a challenge Kareem and Darren even managed an impressive sprint finish. I hear there was a cap peak in it.

We were greeted by a smiley Harriet and shortly afterwards joined by Ilana and Brian, who all arrived by bike, in true Cambridge style. Helena and Jacob made it a perfect 11! Shout out to Brian and Helena who joined for their first GoodGym task 🙌

As always, we were warmly welcomed by task partner, Lorna, who told us the fascinating history of the allotment and their plans to develop a forest garden on site. These incredible ecosystems rely on established trees and bushes to create nutritious soil where mycelia thrive, allowing plants to communicate and support hydration. Eventually, after 20ish years (or 1000s of GG sessions) the garden becomes self-sustaining. 🌿

Helping towards the forest garden goal, our tasks for the session involved weeding, digging and some rather unusual pond work.

Making a start on the weeding Debbie, Harriet, Helena and Ilana split between the Hugel mounds (created in a previous GoodGym session) and did a smashing job of clearing the beds.

Jacob and Becky were in charge of transforming a previously cleared storage area into a bed ready for planting, by raking and turning the soil before soaking it. Proper hard graft 💪

The rest of the group were on pond duty. First up they removed the (empty!) body-shaped bag then trampled the greenery that had taken root, choosing an innovative dancing method. Like Morris dancers round a maypole, they stomped (and clapped) the grass flat, employing some jumping to finish it off. The pond then had to be filled with clay, which proved to be a proper strength workout with a lot of heavy lifting, never seen before by the Tower Hamlets group 🏋️‍♀️ Everyone got involved and even a toad came to say hi 🐸 With all the clay bags empty and the pond full, it was ready to be left for the rain, which will soften and level it, making it suitable to be tampered into shape. A task for another day.

In just one hour then area was transformed proving that ponderful things happen when GoodGymers come together. 💛

Feeling pretty spent, it was time for some refreshment, so we headed to the river for well-earned pizza and beers. Then, eager to make the most of time in Cambridge we went on a little tour, taking in the views from St Mary's tower (another workout climbing the 123 steps!), enjoying some tasty gelato from Jack's, and rounding off the day in the sunshine ☀️

A beautiful day, channelling true GoodGym spirit, doing good and connecting with others. We look forward to visiting Tower Hamlets for more of the same soon 🙌

This week's big Monday night task took us to St Peter's Church and it was light work for the group of 14! We welcomed new joiner Emmanuel and wished Anna a happy birthday 🎂

The first half of the session involved a sweep of fallen leaves, a quick litter pick and removing misplaced large stones from the flower beds. With sunset falling at around 7.30pm, our attentions turned to installing a network of garden lights, planting stakes into the ground at well triangulated distances apart. The switch-on moment proved a satisfying end to the evening.