3 Goodgym folk met on a humid and sticky Sunday morning to help with some bramble management. We met at the path by the Hogsmill river and Melanie started with the brambles by the river with Alison from Kingston Biodiversity Network and Marie-Noelle (on her first task with Goodgym - welcome!) and Caroline joined the second group at Kingston cemetery. The idea was to tame the brambles to allow the other plants a chance to flower and attract all manner of pollinators. It seemed to be working as we spotted loads of flying insects including bees and damselflies. Melanie and her group joined the cemetery team after clearing a safe path for walkers along the river and we were soon hacking away at a wall of thorns. Having picked up a fair few scratches and stings (the joys of overgrown green places!) we retreated to find that it's amazing how much you can get done in a short amount of time. We had cleared a large patch, filled 4+ barrows and found more than 5 memorials that had been so overgrown, noone knew they were even there. After a quick selfie and water break, we went out separate ways to enjoy the rest of our Sundays in the knowledge of a job well done and some inspiration from one of the uncovered inscriptions...life's work well done, life's race well run.

My first mission accomplished today! Helped to lay a few bricks and learnt how to mix mortar! A lovely 'bespoke wheel' where herbs are grown...A lovely idea to brighten up Ham Parade and a place where people can pick a few herbs to add to their cooking. What a lovely gesture, especially at this unpredictable time. Met some lovely people and an enjoyable couple of hours on a Sunday spent. As it was my first mission I did not know about taking photos, so the one I have uploaded is of me!