Finally! The first sunny Saturday morning task at Ham Lands!

A large group including 8 GG members and other volunteers gathered for our monthly mission maintaining the natural habitats of the Ham Lands, and the difference of a sunny day was evident in the smiles and energy of everyone present as we set about our task for the morning.

This session saw us tackling some large areas of brambles. Armed with loppers, shears and secateurs we split into groups and got to work.

The time whizzed by as we made rapid progress, taming the wild bramble patches and creating a huge pile of cuttings as we went. It was a very satisfying mission, made all the more enjoyable by coffees and snacks at the Swiss bakery afterwards!

Next session at Ham Lands will be on 11th May: keep an eye out for the listing and sign up!

The rain held off for the monthly visit to the Ham Lands and 3 spirited GGers met the Friends for some nature conservation work.

As is not uncommon on Ham Lands missions, the bulk of the task involved clearing brambles - this time from an area near the path to Teddington Lock. The team attacked the spiky suckers with gusto, making short work of a good-sized area and even taking the time to lay some branches as protection for a badger set they had uncovered during the work.

As usual there was plenty of good chat and good cheer, and the team went away to enjoy a warm and sunny Saturday happy with their efforts.

The next Ham Lands task is on Saturday 13th April - you can sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/helping-the-happy-ham-landers-2b1574e4-0866-416a-983c-453a36d5d2dc

The good gym crew and the local Ham Lands group were very welcoming and nice. Got taught a bit of the history of the lands and the biodiversity and the hard work that got it looking how it is and how much more work is needed to keep it that way. Looking forward for the next one.

It was a cold one this time on the Ham Lands as we gathered for another dose of natural habitat management. We were back on the same patch as last time, digging out the brambles to ensure the area would flower properly come the spring.

After a short while a few of us were assigned to a second task, which was to cut down small trees to use on a hedgerow fence.

Amazingly the answer is neither a crown of thorns or a loud bang, but a celebration for Jp's 500th Good Deed! 👑

Perfectly timed to hit the task that JP owns as part of Task Force, we met at a drizzly Ham Lands to adorn JP with the ceremonial crown. Grateful task owner Sharon presented JP with a beautiful photo of the moon, taken over Ham Lands 🌙

The task itself involved stemming the regrowth of brambles and hawthorns where we had previously cleared the area. The job involved digging roots, pulling, chopping, plenty of chat, and half-time snacks from Monika as part of the celebration!

The rain just about held off for the reign of King James before heading to the warm and welcoming Swiss Bakery for party flamküchen, hot chocolates and pastries, alongside a good read of the lovely messages from GoodGym Richmond members in JP's card. This is a huge milestone to reach, hearty congratulations from us all JP!

Join us next month for our next visit to Ham Lands, whether it's your first task or your 267th, you can be sure of a warm welcome (although the crown is just for the 500th!): Https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/helping-the-happy-ham-landers-36169bea-e20f-4366-8370-aa0a64e48401

A cold but sunny morning welcomed 4 Richmond GGers to the Ham Lands where we met the Friends group to continue our ongoing conservation work.

We walked out to the spot designated for the session’s task, which was to remove the brambles around and beneath an apple tree to allow it to grow in peace.

We were armed with loppers, garden forks and rakes, as well as a tiny spade (modelled by Chris in the photos) and set to work chopping and uprooting brambles and filling the large canvas sack.

Before too long we were making real headway and the sack was filling up. As 11 o’clock came around we observed a 2 minute silence in remembrance of those who fell in the two world wars of the 20th century, with thoughts also going out to those suffering in war-stricken regions at the moment.

We emptied the sack in the undergrowth and, with another mission to come later on for all of us we headed off our separate ways after the group photo.

Next time at Ham Lands will the last of the year, on 9th December: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/helping-the-happy-ham-landers-51575099-54cc-4ed0-8cbf-f2f1f7e19725

• does this pun on Bramley Apple Pie work?!