A late change in the schedule saw the group meet at Petersham Common today where we have been helping task owner Ken to work on the traditional hedgerow this year. This is an amazing way to create a natural living habitat for the area, and it looks amazing too.

Ken has been working hard doing the bleaching and post placement so today we could just focus on the binding for the top using slim branches that can bend and flex around the posts. Split into three groups we managed to cover a large area in one sunny session before stepping back to admire our roadside handiwork with chocolates provided by Ken!

A speedy run, keeping to the well-lit roads of Richmond, took the group to Petersham Common to meet task owner Ken.

Ken had plans for us to dig a new drainpipe into the footpath, as have done in previous years. But while preparing that day, he decided that it was the perfect spot to create a new microhabitat by allowing the water to drain into a new pond. That meant the pond needed digging first, and that meant very carefully taking out the protected native bluebells in the pond area so that they could be planted safely elsewhere in the common. (Ken is licensed to dig native bluebells, this can't be done without a license).

They are young plants in this area and their bulbs are only small. Each one required careful digging out with a trowel to prevent cutting it off, and the more we looked, the more there were! The group worked not only on delicate removal but simultaneously on their deep squats and ankle mobility to stay so close to the ground!

Further workouts included digging the perimeter of the pond and moving the shifted soil in the wheelbarrow. This is why we call it keeping fit by doing good! As an extra added bonus, Rosie made a lucky find by digging up an original ceramic R Whites bottle!

At the end of a good session of digging, Ken handed out Lindor chocolates which were just the boost needed for the run back to town!

Starting with a little 'woop' that we have smashed our January challenge targets, Sam led the warm-up and we headed off on the steady run uphill towards the Star and Garter.

We have been working on traditional hedgerow laying with Ken for the last couple of months. Ken keeps a very watchful eye for quality and technique but it's definitely worth it, the results look amazing along the roadside!

This evening there was more pleaching and post bashing that we have done on previous tasks, plus some up-skilling in binding using wood cut at a GoodGym Kingston task to bind the posts and keep it all in place while waiting for the hedgerow to start growing and strengthening around itself.

Ken had unfortunately discovered the previous posts has been stolen before they could be put in place so this evening's task ended with some lifting work to hide the remaining posts out of sight.

Ending with a run back to our start point, Lucy was keen to clock up a full 5km so we took the long route back, taking in the river reflections as we headed back to Richmond Green.

A drop in temperature did nothing to drop spirits this evening for our weekly group run!

The group started as ever with an intro and warm-up outside Tap Tavern, with a very special mention for member Jack, who got engaged over Christmas 🙌🏼💍❤️

A steady run up hill took us to the Star & Garter, where task owner Ken was waiting for us to hand out tools and wisdom about the ancient craft of hedgerow laying. We have been working on this area of hedgerow over the past couple of months and it really looks impressive from the road through Petersham Common. Unfortunately, the large stakes we had been planning to bash into place appear to have been stolen but there was still plenty to be done 'pleaching' the trees that would weave into the hedgerow that has already been created. You can view the action here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2IugF8IaFJ/?igsh=MmI0NmZ1bHFpZm5r

There are plenty more green tasks coming up over the winter, a brilliant reason to get yourself outdoors when you're seeking motivation to shift the blankets!

A merry Twixmas task on the 5th day of Christmas, on Petersham Common to continue traditional hedgerow laying, a task we started earlier in December and are back to complete in January. This traditional method of hedgerow habitat creation involves lot of manual work: clearing the working area, pleaching the young trees, knocking in posts and weaving in wood to create the top part.

Above all of that though, the group gathered to celebrate Beth reaching 100 tasks. In only eleven months since joining too. Sal brought along her wonderful homemade brownies and a new set of wings for Beth to wear, Jp and Liz sorted the group card, Ken boiled up fresh coffee on his storm kettle (with a little cheeky Bailey's to add after the task) and the whole team brought the warm hugs and appreciation.

A massive congratulations and thank you for everything you do for the people we help in Richmond, and for GoodGym Richmond itself too. In Beth's own lovely words:

"I love GoodGym, I talk about it all the time... it's just exactly what I was looking for when I moved to the area."

A delightful winter morning for some GoodGymming goodness, continuing our work to improve Petersham Common Woods. We found a nice spot that was overgrown with brambles and small trees that we coppiced to enhance the habitat for songbirds. With their trunks we did a spot of "snedding". This meant lopping off all the side shoots with bill hooks so the trunks could be used as stakes for hedgerows. Great work team! Here is some more info from task owner Ken.

Coppicing is a traditional management practice that involves cutting the trees to the ground so that they regenerate into thicker dense low habitat that is ideal nesting and feeding areas for British native songbirds.

In the past, coppiced timber was used for firewood and building materials. Now we will stack it as habitat to encourage invertebrates (insects) including the endangered stag beetle as well as hibernations sites and nesting for wood mice and hedgehogs.