Lovely sunny evening, I was joined by Duncan which was a surprise ☺️ We got stuck in, me seed gathering, Duncan dug over the 2 beds. We then attacked the overgrown hedges that had spread on the outside of the fence, much chat about run training, food and recent films watched. Still lots to be done here but it's looking great with all the Hollyhock and sunflowers.

This morning two GoodGymers arrived from opposite directions to tackle the weather beaten, foot fall ravaged, and weed infested area that we had planted up as part of the Splashpoint ten year celebrations. The weeds were tackled first, followed by the re-staking and tying in of the windblown shrubs. The bed is not in the most plant friendly environment with strong winds blowing through, and a seemingly irresistible temptation some people have to walk the edges, and even trample the middle, but the strength of nature shone through. Bent and broken stems still showing signs of new life, windswept leaves being replaced by fresh growth, and signs of new shoots at the base of plants gives hope that with a bit of care and attention from the GoodGym crew this ten year marker will provide an attractive welcome to Splashpoint for years to come.

Worthing GoodGymers assembled at one of our familiar venues - Worthing Leisure Centre. The cafe garden area has been a regular project of ours. On our last visit we had felt somewhat overwhelmed by the growth spurt the weeds and grass had enjoyed with the support of the succession of rain and sun. On arrival we were so pleased to see that a group of leisure centre staff had been ahead of us and cleared much of the overgrowth around the raised beds. It felt very satisfying that our efforts with this area are being appreciated and responsibility for maintaining it is being shared. This meant we could focus on some specific tasks today, enthusiastically encouraged by Albie in between his gathering of stones which were of ever increasing size….

Gill, Ricky and Barbara got stuck in to tidying the overgrown raised beds, carefully redistributing poppy seeds and preserving the sunflowers planted by the children from the crèche. Lucy cleared the area around the cafe tables and planted bluebell bulbs, assisted by Duncan who seemed to appear from nowhere. John cleared and compressed the composting area which had made an attempt to “grow like Topsy” (Surely Belinda is the only one who needed to look this reference up! Though to be honest, if you do look it up, its current accepted meaning is something of a misunderstanding of the original. GoodGym is so educational…..)

Barbara had an impressive go at repairing damage to the raised beds - a few more specialised tools might be beneficial next time. You know, such as a hammer for hammering……

Belinda arrived after another long work day in time to offer encouragement and support and to contribute (along with Lucy and John) to that so important photographic evidence of our work.

With talk of Leisure Centre customers supporting the care of the area as a community garden the magnificent seven (and a dog) made their way home.

Scorching morning when I headed out to Splashpoint to finish up the task we started the day before. In preparation for the 10 year anniversary.

The soil was delivered this morning so my lone task was to cover the ground with new compost water then cover with bark chippings. As soon as I put the first bag out and returned for another a seagull had started to peck at the bag!! the children leaving the sports centre thought this was hilarious. Much chatting with customers and staff who were super helpful and all was finished. Hopefully someone will water the young plants frequently.

*On Scorching summer evening

A team of dedicated GoodGym volunteers and our youngest member, Jemima, gathered at Splashpoint Leisure Centre to commemorate its up and coming 10th anniversary this weekend. Despite the challenging conditions, the teams unwavering enthusiasm and commitment shone through as they dug and planted 10 shrubs, leaving a lasting mark of celebration.

Participants

John Anne ( lovely to see you back ! ) Gillybean Duncan Tamsin and daughter Gemima Julia

Task

Digging and Planting Shrubs

The primary objective of the event was to dig holes and plant, appropriately, 10 shrubs in honour of the milestone anniversary of Splashpoint Leisure Centre. This task required patience and perseverance, especially considering the hot weather and exceptionally dry conditions.

Efforts and Dedication

Despite the scorching heat, the team demonstrated dedication and effort for their work. Their commitment to completing the task was evident as they tirelessly dug and prepared the ground for the new shrubs.

Junior GoodGymer Jemima

Jemima, the youngest member of the team and a Junior GoodGymer, stood out with her determination and enthusiasm. She actively contributed to the project, showcasing her energy and tenacity. Jemima's involvement highlights the inclusive nature of GoodGym and its ability to engage individuals of all ages.

Celebrating 10 Years of Splashpoint Leisure Centre

The efforts of the GoodGym volunteers and Jemima were aimed at celebrating the significant milestone of 10 years for Splashpoint Leisure Centre. By planting shrubs, they not only added beauty to the surroundings but also symbolized growth, resilience, and a vibrant future for the centre.

Our Golden Nugget

The successful completion of the shrub planting project wouldn't have been possible without the invaluable assistance of the enthusiastic duty manager, Phil Ingold. Phil's presence added an extra touch of magic to the evening, further enhancing the celebratory atmosphere.

Tomorrow is another day

Tomorrow the potting compost will arrive and Gillybean has kindly offered to come along and complete the task by distributing it , watering and topping it all with bark chips. Thank you Gill.

Conclusion

The GoodGym volunteers, along with their young member Jemima, exemplified the spirit of community service and dedication. Their collective effort in digging and planting shrubs, despite the challenging weather, left a meaningful mark in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Splashpoint Leisure Centre. This event serves as a testament to the positive impact that individuals can make when they come together for a common cause.

Thank you so much to my team for turning out for an extra task tonight. Special mention to John and Gillybean who notched up their 2nd task of the week and their second time of bringing their own tools!

Apologies the the lack of photos ! I accidentally deleted a fair number- Luckily there were a few that got saved !

Have a great week !

Julia xx

The 3 Muskateers

On a Wednesday evening in sunny Worthing, three dedicated volunteers from GoodGym generously offered their time to assist a creche at a local charitable trust leisure centre. Their mission was to dig out a flowerbed, creating a space where the children could plant sunflower plants that were already named and growing in the greenhouse. John took charge of strimming, while Barbara supervised weeding and lopping down debris with shears. Julia provided invaluable assistance to John, and together they dug up the flowerbed using a fork. The bed was then finished with a layer of topsoil and sturdy foraged girders to shape the newly formed flowerbed. This report highlights the efforts of these selfless volunteers and their contribution to the creche garden transformation.

John - Strimming and Bed Preparation

Johntook charge of strimming the area, clearing the wild vegetation to make way for the flowerbed. With careful precision, he created a clean and manageable space for the upcoming planting activity. Additionally, John played a vital role in preparing the flowerbed by assisting Julia in digging it up.

Barbara - Weeding and Debris Removal Barbaraexpertise in weeding and lopping down debris with shears was instrumental in preparing the area for the sunflower planting. Her efforts ensured that unwanted vegetation and obstacles were removed, creating a conducive environment for the creche children to engage in gardening activities.

Me

I provided assistance to John, working alongside him to dig up the flowerbed using a fork. My efforts ensured that the soil was loosened and ready for the sunflower plants. After the digging was complete, I took charge of finishing the bed with a layer of topsoil. Additionally, I creatively incorporated sturdy foraged girders to shape and define the newly formed flowerbed.

In conclusion

Us three dedicated volunteers from GoodGym made a significant impact by giving up their Wednesday evening to assist the creche Our combined efforts in strimming, weeding, debris removal, digging, and bed shaping transformed a wilderness area into a suitable space for sunflower planting. Our efforts created an opportunity for children to learn about gardening and witness the growth of their named sunflower plants. Check out the before and after photos to see the difference!

See you next Wednesday at our new task at the Dementia Hub garden