July should herald the start of the hottest, most sultry ‘dog days’ of summer but today was more of a ‘duck day’ with grey skies and drizzle. However our GoodGym Richmond sponsored Plots in Buccleuch Gardens are looking pretty lush thanks to the cool temperatures, the rain and tonight’s brilliant gardening work by Sam, Kate, Chris, Monica, Steph and Anita

The Monday Group Run tasks focused around The Arcade Rockery and whilst it seemed a rather laid-back mission, we achieved loads:

Dead-heading vast amounts of stachys (lambs ears) to encourage a second flowering. Building-up one of the ‘twiggy barricades’ that had sunk down(these discourage people from stomping on the beds …. and also create wildlife habitats). Relocating a huge rush and planting a Japanese anemone in its place. Weeding. Edging part of the lawn

Thanks to Sam for leading the Group Run, including back to the Tap Tavern for our monthly Social .

It was a great vibe at this year’s Taste at Twickenham event. The sun was shining and good food and music was present at every corner. We all took turns to soak up the atmosphere and also to ensure that the areas remained clear of any rubbish. It was good to see that participants kept areas clean and were happy to make good use of our rubbish bags. Already looking forward to next year’s event!

Smokey and background music was in the air : not the Smokey Birmingham one you would think in the Peaky Blinders but BBQ smoke from the summer street party at the A taste of Twickenham!! The Peaky Pickers gang haunted the streets of the festival to get rid of the litter left by food enthusiasts. Seems that the Pickers looked mean and fierce and had the locals not littering alot as they were putting their waste in the bags that the gang waved around.

After some sub-par June weather during the day 6 hardy GoodGymmers were rewarded for their volunteering with a gorgeously sunny evening. Jack, Steph, Kate and Sam met at the Tap for a group run to the GoodGym Richmond-sponsored Three Pigeons plot and rockery. Because it's a short distance we threw in a couple of laps of the green which burned up the perfect amount of time for the high ride to recede, before running the final km along the riverside at a gentle pace. Susan and Rosie made their way there on foot.

We dabbled with a mix of jobs at the rockery: pulling out plantains from the grass, deadheading the rose bush and removing dragonweed. For the final quarter of an hour we headed over to the Three Pigeons. It was looking magnificent and bushy with poppies that had sprung just in time for Remembrance events last weekend.

It was monthly drinks evening and four of us headed to the Tap afterwards where we raised a toast to broadcaster Michael Mosley.

Anita was the only sign-up for a lunchtime mission to plant Cerinthe, Bupleurum, Orlaya, Poppy orientale Brilliant and Sweet Pea seedlings at GoodGym Richmond’s sponsored plots in Buccleuch Gardens, Richmond .

Unexpected and very welcome help came from GG newbie Ambi May who was walking along the Thames Path and signed up on the spot. Helping with the new planting and watering-in, Ambi demonstrated a natural talent for nurturing plants and an innate feel for ecology and the natural world.

Welcome Ambi and thank you.

Twas a green, grassy and glorious Richmond Group Run, with runners, walkers and cyclists gracing our sponsored plots in Buccleuch Gardens, Richmond for a spot of evening weeding.

It was a task of two grassy halves. Starting at the Arcade everyone dropped to ground level and used cutlery knives to lever out plantains from the Arcade lawn. Hunter was definitely not the only one assuming a downwood dog position.

At the Three Pigeons Plot , the weeding was reversed with the main aim removing unwanted grass. Thankfully, this was somewhat easier and more dignified.

Welcome newcomers Georgie and Naomi who proved to be naturals at plantain pulling and grass busting . A shout out for Teresa who achieved a perfect 10 for her work clearing around the bollard at The Three pigeons. And we were all in awe and wish the very best of luck to our run leader and area activator Liz who revealed she has qualified for the Hyrox World Championships in Nice in June.

Gorgeous flowers spotted but not identified during the task included Veronica (spike speedwell), a compact perennial with a spike of pink flowers and purple Centaurea, a perennial cornflower with vivid, heliotrope purple, thistle-like petals.

Muchas Gracias to The Tap Tavern for allowing us to stow bags and for hosting our monthly social after the Group Run.