To mark the end of the Easter weekend, the best of Lewisham (and Greenwich) met at Glass Mill to run to Ladywell Fields to try and get to the end of the pile of woodchip.

Focusing on one woodchip pile this week, we began shovelling and wheelbarrowing and carrying bucket full of woodchip to the hedge saplings.

It was a good strength workout and we definitely got our steps in as some hedge saplings were quite far from the pile of woodchip.

With all saplings mulched and the pile much smaller than when we arrived it was time to say our goodbyes and head back to Glass Mill.

We've helped plant and care for these hedge saplings over the past couple of years so it's wonderful to see them growing.

Thanks to Ivar for the pun!

Next week we are heading to The Albany which will be around 4.5km run in total and we'll be joined by the garden team so expect more tasks like shovelling and woodchip over the usual litter pick.

With temperatures due to reach extreme highs once again this week it was time to make sure the new hedgerow saplings in Ladywell Fields continue getting enough water to thrive. I joined a team of volunteers hauling buckets from the River Ravensbourne and carrying them along the hedgerow - a good workout by the time we'd doused all 300 young trees.

A group of a dozen or so comprised of local volunteers, children and a couple of good-gymers ferrying water up and down a parched hedgrow with buckets and watering cans.

We only had enough water in the container for half the thirsty sapling which had been struggling in the dry weather, but managed to water them all with the use of a piece of string, a metal bucket and the Ravensbourne.

300 shrubs later and with tired arms the hedge will have a chance to get through another few days of hot weather, and I suspect we will be back soon.

Lovely day for it. Good fun. Apologies I’m great at remembering to take photos!

Armed with buckets and united in our determination to protect 350 saplings from extremely dry weather, I joined a feisty gang of volunteers gathered in Ladywell Fields beside the River Ravensbourne where a new hedgerow was recently planted. We hauled water from the river and carried it to pour on the thirsty roots of the young trees, ensuring they can continue to thrive despite the drought. With no rain forecast for a while, next watering session is scheduled for Saturday 28 June.

What a welcome sight it was when a 1000 litre water bowser was transported to Ladywell Fields, making it easier to give thirsty hedgerow saplings a much needed drink. The extremely dry weather so far this spring has meant that special efforts have been necessary to ensure the survival of the hedgerow, consisting of 350 young trees planted by volunteers in January. The Lewisham council parks team has promised a re-filled bowser next weekend too - and the hedge is looking leafier and healthier.

Emergency rescue efforts were needed to save a new hedgerow in Ladywell Fields when, after weeks with no rain, the young trees were starting to wilt. A shout-out to park volunteers, neighbours and GoodGymers resulted in a valiant team assembled with buckets and Sunday morning energy to haul water from the River Ravensbourne and tip it onto dry ground around the thirsty saplings. This amazing work paid off… a few days later, new leafy growth was already beginning to appear on the branches of the hedgerow. And we even had a bit of welcome wet weather!