This Saturday, Camden GoodGym members Nivia, Pete, Gabrielle, and the dynamic duo, the Super Twins Alex and Steve, dug deep into their gardening powers at the Ingestre Community Centre's woodland oasis. With trowels in hand and determination in spades, they turned the space into a blooming masterpiece!

Our green-fingered heroes got stuck into the dirty work, spreading fresh soil to nurture new plants and rejuvenate the woodland area. It was a muddy mission, but their teamwork and humor made it feel less like a chore and more like a garden party! 🌟

Once the groundwork was laid (literally), the group replanted herbs and spruced up the space, leaving it looking vibrant and inviting for the local community to enjoy. A daunting task at first, it was no match for their can-do attitude—they absolutely nailed it in a jiffy!

The morning wrapped up with well-earned teas, biscuits, and chatter, as everyone shared laughs and stories from the week. 🍵🍪

A huge thank you to everyone who lent a hand and to Ingestre Community Centre for the warm hospitality. Together, we’re not just planting seeds—we’re growing community spirit! 🌷💚

Who's up for round two next time? 😉

I have discovered that many hands (courtesy of Charlie, Gosia, Jackie, John, Natalia, Rose, and Steve) really do make light work, even when said hands become icicle-d and numb.

It was cold last night. Passersby at our warm-up spot (by the Crick) walked on huddled within 10 or more layers. They barely looked up at our competitive game of Simon Says.

It was so cold last night that two other runners attempted to join our group (presumably for warmth). They joined the back of our group at the traffic lights on Royal College Street - and I could tell by our group's furtive glances (and missing red goodgym t-shirts) that these new-joiners were unexpected joiners - but before anyone could ask them whether they were lost, the two runners planted themselves in the middle of our pack (presumably for warmth). This mayhem persisted for some time. It was very dramatic. More dramatic than Simon Says. But then... they ran on.

It was so so cold last night that Charlie and Steve hit solid ground whilst digging at Cressfield Close Sheltered Housing (our task for the evening) - perhaps it was sheer ice, I thought - but then Charlie and Steve told me it was stone. Not that I had time to dwell, because I was busy being in awe of our special group, who dug a hole for a fruit tree, planted several areas with bulbs, turned (and revitalised) the soil in a resident's garden, and pruned a pear tree.

It was quite wonderful to witness. So many tasks completed in little over 30 minutes, and all whilst stories and laughter were shared :)

Thanks so much, everyone!!!

Here's to next time!

When I was a child I think I was middle-aged.

Other children liked Pokemon - or Power Rangers - or other popular past times like playing.

Not for me - I knew what I liked - and what I liked was the 8pm-9pm slot on Monday nights on BBC One: Ground Force and Changing Rooms.

And last night - thanks to the frost-beating efforts of this wonderful group - I felt like my childhood friends (Alan Titchmarsh and Carol Smillie) were present in shaping our very own garden makeover at Cecil Sharp House!

Seven of us - Alex, Gosia, Jackie, John, Rose, and Steve (and me) - met in the King's Cross buzz and we became the only group (of adults) in London to be outside playing Simon Says whilst icicles formed.

Taking our smiles (like Carol Smillie) with us, we started our journey up and through Camden, meeting Emilie early en route!

Arriving at Cecil Sharp House, we met Natalia and Yumei, both of whom were on their first day of GoodGym good-deeding - a huge welcome, both!!

And then our makeover started. I am not certain how it happened. All I do know is that I turned round to find my gardening gloves and a million scattered leaves had already been placed into a neat pile.

It genuinely was miraculous - the lawn and paths were a sea of fallen leaves... and then they were grass and paving again - it could even have been a spring night :)

Thank you, everyone, for your work, time, and fun - it was great to see you!

Here's to next time!

This wonderful group of Andy, Cherian, and Max (and me) spent our morning: moving leaves > digging compost > finding avocado skins > bagging compost > discovering rusty bolts > learning how to detangle chicken wire > bashing sticks into ground > and (after it all) admiring our new wired pen for mulching leaves!

Thank you, all, for your work and fun this morning - you made a meaningful and lasting difference, and I know this pen will be much enjoyed and used over the coming years!

Thank you! And to next time!