We achieved a lot at Northcliffe this week, doing lots of lopping to cut back the overhanging growth which had suddenly proliferated and started overhanging pathways through the gardens. The Shipley in Bloom judges are coming next week so this was important work!

I stayed after the session and joined in the plant swap the allotment holders had organised - I got some fantastic new additions for my garden and houseplants collection. And Asimah and I both enjoyed some fabulous chocolate flapjack baked by a fellow volunteer. We both left feeling really positive and excited to carry on the work next month!

We had a fabulous morning clearing a path and pulling up invasive Golden Archangel at the Northcliffe Community Orchard today. It's a very beautiful and secluded gem of a spot hidden away in the communal area of Northcliffe allotments.

We're back on Saturday 6th June to make more progress on this lovely space.

This week’s GoodGym mission took us to the local allotments for a proper workout with purpose! Our task: clear out an impressive pile of soil and compost from the old bays to make room for a shiny new set of composting stations.

Two GoodGymers teamed up with 7 allotment plot holders for the challenge — digging, lifting, wheelbarrowing, and laughing our way through it. It was the sort of job that gives the legs and arms a run for their money, but with plenty of friendly chat and encouragement along the way.

In just two hours we’d helped shift load after load onto nearby plots and cleared a big chunk of space for phase two of the project. The gardeners were delighted, the compost is now destined for good use, and we left with that classic GoodGym combo: muddy shoes, warm hearts, and pleasantly tired muscles.

There’s more to do to finish the new composting bays, so we’ll be back — and we’d love more people to join us! If you fancy getting fit while doing good in the community (no gardening experience required!), this is the perfect mission. Come along for fresh air, friendly faces, and a workout that really makes a difference 🌱💪

A bright beautiful morning! Today we helped Val at Northcliffe Allotments while listening to the birds singing and chirping. Very calming while we got some hard work done.

Overgrown tree branches were cut down and bramble cut back in preparation for winter.

Bugs house was filled in with branches and leaves and an excess of branches and bramble moved into a pile for bonfire night on winter solstice.

GoodGym Bradford returns to Northcliffe Community Garden supporting the allotment team to prepare for an early bonfire night tonight.

The rain nearly stopped play but at the time of action the sky cleared up.

We cut back trees and bushes. Piled them up to add fuel to the fire. Also we prepared the flower beds to help plant bulbs later in a few weeks.

It involved a lot of muscle power but very therapeutic indeed.

Sadly the mission was rained off due to Storm Amy. I was still given a tour of the community garden and orchard and there's plenty of work to do for intrepid GoodGymers. Look out for another mission at the Community Garden soon.