Having spent his afternoon typing our bumper pack email of Goodgym news, Ivo strode out to lead the GG TH weekly run, from the Town Hall Hotel. There he scooped up a trio of gentle joggers. Praise is due to Lucinda and Fiona who got their trainers on in time to join Dan, making a group of three eager runners, which saw our pre-task running club double in size! Will you be there to join the next Monday run? It is the the fittest and funnest way to arrive at task...

With the rest of the GG TH crew arriving separately at Columbia Road Gardens (much less fit, much less fun), it was over to Ed to kick-off with an introduction to the evening's community mission activity: weeding. As a local resident and leading gardener of the Columbia Road Tenants and Residents Association, Ed has the nous and the kit to ensure we weed well. And weed well we really weedly did 😀.

Divided into two, half the team set to weeding the "race-track" area, so called because of the twisting path that weaves through it, rather than any high-speed racing from the cars parked nearby. The energy was much more shuffle and stoop than the typical Formula One race, thankfully. Time to slow down, even stop, perhaps, and weed your way to better wellbeing.

The team firstly discussed what plant-life classified as a weed in this setting. The term can be a confusing and troubling one, as it is such an amorphous category, determined by both personal interpretation and the specific context. Much like most things then, really.

So, with the evening's weed category formally classified, hand-held trowels and forks were passed around and some grass was pulled up, as were some nettles. Kevin's sharp horticultural eye spotted some clove and wild garlic in the undergrowth, finds that brought on Kat's growing hunger, stimulated by such a fine choice of edible leaves in each and every direction.

Hunger games aside, Kat was most committed to the task when protecting the delicate ladybirds seen roundabout. A common favourite from the insect family, despite urban myth stating quite clearly how red and black can be a mark of some sort of nature danger? And besides, a brave and bold colour pattern combo for even the most frightfully well-dressed of ladies, or birds.

The unearthed weeds soon began to pile up in semi-ordered clumps, ready for collection (proudly displayed in a big, yellow bucket by Emma), with Kareem responsible for lots of the lugging required to get the contents added to the compost heap tucked inside the orchard, where the other GG team had been weeding.

Before delving into the detail of their endeavours, a brief pause for some broader, more philosophical reflection on the topic of weeds. Thank you, Asad, for making the interesting point that the word weed, often used to ridicule somebody's lack of strength, belies the stark truth of the matter: the roots of the weeds encounterd here, just like weed roots we have all known and loved, were resolute in their resistance to any tug or pull, buried deeply and firmly beneath the surface of the soil.

Thus, to be called a weed really signals quite a belligerent force to be reckoned with, does it not?

So, into the weedy orchard arena stepped the remaining GG TH gardener volunteers. Flicking away a few spots of rain, the team braced themselves for a weedly tough challenge: removing the unwanted plant-life creeping around the fruit tree trunks.

Chloe was quick to track down and prize out unwanted dandelions and Anna ensured that little strawberry plants remained firmly set in the soil, should any have been mistakenly taken out, perhaps. Once patted and pressed back into place, high hopes remain for those soft red treats, the perfect complement to a slurp of cream, savoured whilst sat snuggly on a (well-weeded) garden lawn, come the height of Summer.

Jack lifted our minds up from simple weeding work through contemplation of plant providence and the journeys plant species have made to their current home, over the course of time. Did you know: the potato, celebrated carbohydrate of many European countries, was only discovered through the Spanish invasion of Colombia and was first used as cattle feed when it was brought back in about 1600? Not quite a weed, but not the staple food and culinary joy we proclaim now with our chips, mash and baked spuds. A helpful historical reminder, from our GG TH mathematician, how a plant's place in a garden can change according to context and point of view. Orchard anthropology indeed.

Back in east London, Dan was reassured to see how Tom struggled as much as he had, cracking through the dry, hardened ground with the strained prongs of a large fork, trying to release the deep roots of several tall dock plants.

A much smoother ride for the wheelbarrow deliveries of mulch shuttled across by Lobo, and then also by Tom, Chloe, Jack and Dan, delivering a replenishment of bark mulch to secure the reclaimed space now preserved for the trees and not to be taken up by the weeds. For long.

Ed had explained during mission briefing, how high plants and grasses could impinge on air and light for the tree, whilst also risk losing the clear sight lines much needed by overzealous lawnmowers.

Fiona combined her friendly paparazzi role, with gentle encouragement for everybody to wind up their last weeding activity, wheel away the final loads of organic weed waste, and simply wish each other a weedy wonderful week and weedy wonderful long weekend ahead.

The session concluded thus. Ed's tools were all collected in and stowed safely in a garden store along the way towards Shoreditch. Thank you, Ed, for the calm and careful way you guided our weeding ways, for the clearer space and air it shared with every plant and Goodgym volunteer lucky enough to have been there.

And, finally, can you see the rainbow shard, best in show at this week's alternative Columbia Road Flower display (check out lucky picture 13 of the photo reel)? Well, of course you do, and others will now, too, because there's not a weed to be seen on their patch of Tower Hamlets orchard.

No "weeds" to stop their growth, nor block an admirer's view. Stunning, strong and glossy, deep red stalks, with their flourish of curly leaves of dark green. Mighty flashy & fine ♥️ .

You might know how it feels to shuffle and squeeze along Columbia Road, trying to tease out a deal on a bulk buy of bouquets on market day. You might think that it’s the Sunday fix of floral carnival that draws in the crowds and buoys the Tower Hamlets spirit. You might imagine that the Flower Market is a hard act to follow.

Well, here's news: the help from Goodgym Tower Hamlets supports the lesser-known and under-appreciated nature that really steals the show in this neighbourhood...

For this first Monday FUN-day in March, a troupe of Goodgymers took to the horticultural stage, stepping into the street lamp spotlight to tender the community gardens sprinkled about the local housing estates, managed by the Columbia Road Tenants and Residents Association (TRA). The task: mulching (more on that later) and weeding, ahead of the imminent surge in new growth on the way. Yes, Spring blossoms are coming!

In the lead-in to this community mission, @Darren set-up the option of some pre-task group exercise, inviting any cyclists from the south of the borough to ride up together from Limehouse Marina. @Sooz followed Darren's lead, cycling the same route, with @Ilana, @Lucinda (more on them later) and @Dan each separately trundling their way to task, overcoming bike maintenance and docking station challenges that came their way. So, at least five cyclists amongst our number, rolling (sort of) smoothly onto site.

With the arrival of twelve more Goodgym walkers and runners, a mission team numbering seventeen assembled near the foot of Sivill House. But, before getting green fingers stuck-in to task, the twilight hour called for a touch of theatre, my dears: showcasing a gentle warm-up routine of jogging and stretching, as appropriate preparation for the moderate physical labour ahead. The visiting film crew just about kept pace with their camera to gather video material for the latest GG promotional video. With thanks to Sooz for bringing some Junior Parkrun stretch highlights into play here. Some stellar performances may yet clinch Oscar nominations.

Media work dealt with, it was sesion organiser, @Ed, who brought order with a run-through of the gardening tasks: (i) mulching at the orchard close by, (ii) mulching the trees dotted around the wider estate and (iii) weeding, well, where the weeds were. The aim and purpose: to sustain the upkeep and give a boost to these precious patches of community garden space. All the more precious for what they offer residents and visitors in return: the ever-changing and long-lasting stimulation of their nature and beauty, of course. And to keep this dream alive: a task each for a trio of mini teams.

Two teams loaded up wheelbarrows and buckets from the mini mountain of wood chip mulch close by, with @John distributing tools to get everybody involved. Standout effort and achievement from, @Fiona, @Robert and @Tom who filled up and sent out containers in record time, meeting the demand coming from hither and thither. Quick pause here: mulch is not at all as sludgy as it sounds, rather, in this case, it was a layer of wood chip applied to the soil around existing plants. Why? To conserve soil moisture and enrich its fertility, reduce weed growth, and, well, make the plants look as loved as they are.

The first team transported their mulch around to the nearby orchard, scattering wood chip so as to protect the trunks of fruit trees and the roots of fruit bushes. A light layer also offers shelter from the remaining winter's cold and wind. @Ciarán welcomed @Kevin's knowledge and clear instruction during this task, helpfully pointing out where to tread without trampling new growth of the blackberry and raspberry bushes. Up above ground level, the burgeoning new season's buds were just starting to blossom, with the apricot tree leading the way.

The second team of mulch layers carried and wheeled their cargo to three different sites spiralling off from our meeting point; each a small island of verdant lawn tucked in amongst the clusters of tower blocks. Knee-high fencing subtly marked out these preserves of green, fine spots to seek out for picnic gatherings later in the year. And, all year round, the permanent home of a dozen or so more fruit trees, including a quince and a cherry. Here, @Anna and @Ivo brought notable care to the mulch laying work, identifying the species and spreading the wood chip evenly around the base of each trunk.

The provenance of the cherry tree is worth knowing and contemplating. Striking a warming chord of harmonious global community, this cherry tree is part of a set of thirteen growing across the estate, which form a Tower Hamlets family within a wider population of 8,000 cherry trees (and counting!), gifted to sites all over the United Kingdom by the Japan British Society. The endowment of cherry trees is the work of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project, begun in 2017 to symbolise the friendship and cooperation between Japan and the UK. Long may these cherry trees blossom in our midst.

Back to task, where @Louise, @Kareem and team three recruits had been busying themselves with the weeding required to tidy up the herbaceous borders back at the central hub, just next to Ravenscroft Park. Whilst removing plant life may appear counter-intuitive to nature conservation and rewilding fashions, weeding can halt stray growth for a neater display. Further, as @Rohan explained to me very sensibly, weeding can target species that would otherwise come to dominate the space and smother smaller plants.

With mulch laid and weeds slain, the three teams re-joined as one Goodgym family, to sit down on the slightly shrunken mound of mulch remaining next to Sivill House. From our resting spot, it seemed that our efforts had gone no small way to support the hidden attractions of the Columbia Road spectacle, flora and fauna that may not usually be noticed or appreciated. Worth a detour to behold these inspiring parts of the Tower Hamlets scenery.

Sequel: Mission complete, but the occasion not so. It was high time to honour two Goodgym volunteers in attendance. With much gratitude, and a degree of awe, our group applauded @Lucinda and @Ilana for becoming Goodgym centurions! Well done indeed for your sustained dedication, bringing a whole lot of good to blossom over the course of your hundred good deeds, apiece! Sunday crowds flocking to Columbia Road might leave with colourful memories of their flower market trip. But your steady commitment and warm support is permanent Goodgym inspiration for us all.

More applause and chocolate treats followed, alongside cosy chatter and refreshing beverages, for those that wished, at the nearby Birdcage pub. And revealing their top-tips for Goodgym longevity, Lucinda and Ilana imparted some neatly complementary wisdom. Lucinda encouraged flexibility, to keep volunteering going just as much as is possible, be that more or less, amidst other demands on time. Ilana recommended keeping a regular contribution ticking over, to build in the foundation of consistent Goodgym giving: even if sparse as a single session a month, keep it going.

Speaking of which, what's the next session you're signed up for, blossom?

Once again, we were completely unprepared for the weather: suddenly, it wasn’t freezing! There was no icy wind from the East, or indeed from any point of the compass. But still, Anna was wearing her sleeping-bag coat, just in case. We even had a dry couple of hours in what promises to be a soggy week; as promised, the drizzle stopped precisely as we arrived for the task

Some task force members were held up by work commitments, or by walking down the wrong street, but we soon got underway. There were two beds to be tackled, one near the entrance and one labelled the “race track”; where GoodGymers were speedily yanking up unsightly weeds and filling large white nags with the debris

With the beds cleared of their leafy offenders, we moved on to the mulch stage: a generous layer, to lock in moisture, deter future weed returns, and generally give the soil a fresh lease of life. Where chaos once reigned, there was now order, tidiness, and a sense of horticultural achievement

For those eager for more chances to do good while breaking a sweat, Tower Hamlets members are branching out to tasks in Camden, Newham, and Greenwich. Closer to home, our own evening tasks return next Monday, and if one night a week isn’t enough, the next two Tuesdays as well!

If darkness hadn't quite fallen by the time we arrived at Sivill House, it was certainly teetering over the edge. There was some illumination from the estate lights, and people brought head torches, but our main concern was the effect of the gloomy conditions on those all-important task photos!

Task owner and GoodGymer Ed directed us to a very large pile of woodchip which had been donated to Columbia TRA. It was happily sitting in the car park, but it really needed to be in the gardens, the other side of the estate. It didn’t look too large a pile, until we realised how far back it went…

Still, we had five wheelbarrows, plenty of shovels and bags, and most importantly a 17-strong squad of GoodGymers. It felt like a real workout as we persuaded the reluctant woodchip to separate from the security of its pile, to a new life – mulching! This technique suppresses weeds, conserves soil moisture, insulates plant roots and improves soil health and fertility. Yes, we’ve enabled all those things!

A special welcome to newcomers Angelique and Ryan, who really threw themselves into the task. Hope to see you back soon! And thanks to Fiona who took some good photos after all!

Despite the darkness, the night was still young as we headed off, with a suggestion that one of the task owners had invited us to the pub. We didn’t know where we were supposed to go, so after wandering around for a bit, four of us headed for the Royal Oak to congratulate ourselves on all our good work

13 GoodGymers gathered this evening (after a slow start, thanks to my inaccurate address on the listing) to lend a hand to the estate’s dedicated gardening group.

The Columbia TRA gardening team is made up of residents who enjoy getting involved in and around the estate’s gardens, and our visit tonight was all about supporting their ongoing efforts.

With the recent dry weather taking its toll on the estate’s many garden areas (not that we’re complaining after the rainiest start to the year in history), it was great to be joining Ed, Ed and Maddie to give the plants a much-needed drink and support ongoing preparations for new growing areas.

After a little coordination, the group split into teams: one group tackled the orchard watering, where the challenge of the night was figuring out how to coax the hosepipe into action (way to go, Chris).

With the water flowing, the team proceeded to fill buckets and watering cans on the first floor, giving the young fruit trees and surrounding plants a good soak under the watchful eye of Ed and Maddie.

Meanwhile, another team got to work moving piles of rubble across the estate (and didn't let up for a second). This was part of groundwork being done for a future garden project—an exciting addition that the gardening group has been planning to bring more life to a different corner of the estate.

Big thanks to the residents who welcomed us in and to everyone who kept the wheelbarrows rolling and the buckets flowing. An extra big shout-out to Lara who joined us tonight for our first task - amazing tough work on your first GoodGym activity, Lara! Hope to see you again soon.

And a whopping cheer for our brilliant Task Force, for helping manage and wrap-up tonight's task.

Next week, we're Limehouse-bound to see Kamal to finish the preparation of the yard...

Until then.

What a beautiful evening for tonight’s activity!

We started out as a small group working out on the planters in busy Ravenscroft Park, but slowly grew, until there were a good number enjoying the final stretches shortly before 7.

Making our way around the corner to meet Ed, our task owner this evening, we decided tonight might be a hayfever special, thankful we’d come armed with tissues and antihistamines.

This evening we were working around the pretty race track garden (so-called due to its winding gravel path) and the grass-filled garden at the front of Sivill House, helping to clear some of the many weeds.

A third team were dispatched to the Orchard area, to complete an extensive watering operation.

The Columbia TRA are the tenants & residents association for the Newling, Dorset, Virginia and Gascoigne Estates in Tower Hamlets. These estates sit on-and-around the Columbia Road area, and are home to some much-loved green areas.

Our team continued to grow as we plucked weeds and hydrated trees, and we made a good dent in the garden tasks.

At shortly before 8, we started to think about wrapping-up, tipping one last bucket into the weed pile and winding the hose away for the night.

Posing for that all-important final pic (thanks for your patience as always) we wheeled barrows back to the lock-up, said our cheerios and wandered off into the beautiful evening sun.

A fantastic start to the week.

Shout-outs

Thanks to our brilliant task owner, Ed for this evening’s great activity and for tonight's pun, and to Lucinda for another splendid pun, Green Green Dry Grass of Home.

Until next time.