Location: St. Botolph's Church Garden, Worthing

Weather: Beautiful evening with loads of sunshine

Tonights Volunteers Belinda John Gillybean

Belinda and John (Mr. and Mrs. R), Gill, Barbara, Ricky, Sarah, Barbara and me !

Our amazing team of volunteers embarked on our second spring visit to St. Botolph's Church Garden, and what a delight it was! The weather couldn't have been more perfect for our horticultural escapades, and the mood was as sunny as the skies above. Armed with our forks and gloves, and a playful spirit, we set out to tackle the weeding and planting tasks that awaited us.

**Congratulations Ricky

Huge congratulations to Ricky for 10K togther with Jay and also Sue W who was 2nd in her age group.

The Playful Banter

As soon as we arrived at the garden, a wave of good vibes and risqué conversations engulfed the air. It seemed that the vibrant atmosphere had sparked a contagious playfulness in all of us. Who knew that weeding and planting could be such a hilarious affair especially wherever Barbara was!

The Lovely Surroundings

St. Botolph's Church Garden was a sight to behold, with its natural beauty and engaging atmosphere under the careful guidance of Rik and Val.

The Weeding Extravaganza

Our first task was to tackle the weeding in several beds and areas that needed some tender loving care. Armed with determination and a competitive spirit, we split into smaller groups, each vying to be the fastest and most thorough weeding team. Amidst the pulling, digging, and occasional accidental plant uprooting, we managed to transform the unkempt patches into tidy beds, ready for a fresh start.

The Planting Bonanza

With the weeding complete, it was time to bring life back to the garden through planting. We had quite a diverse selection of plantings planned for the evening. There was rosemary, foxglove, lavender, verbena, salvia, and sunflowers were on our list. As we carefully dug holes and planted the young plants into the ground, we couldn't help but imagine how the garden would transform into a vibrant oasis of blooms and fragrances in the days to come.

Laughter and Joy

Ah, the mischievous duo of Belinda and John! Their playful antics never fail to entertain. During our time at St. Botolph's Church Garden, we witnessed a comical incident involving Belinda and a rather unsuspecting green bin. With a mischievous glint in her eye, Belinda decided to show off her stomping skills and attempted to give the green bin a good stomp. Little did she know that her aim was a tad off, and instead of landing her foot on the bin, she hilariously missed and stumbled into an impromptu dance move. The laughter that followed was infectious!

Gill and My Seamless Moment

Not to be outdone, Gill and I had our own playful moment, although with a touch more grace in execution. As we were busy weeding and planting, an opportunity for mischief presented itself. A foot up and Gill was in! With a playful piggy back out of the bin we decided to repeat the process again one more time!

These light-hearted moments added an extra layer of joy and camaraderie to our gardening adventure. It's these spontaneous and playful interactions that make our time together truly memorable. As we reflect on our experiences at St. Botolph's Church Garden, we can't help but cherish these amusing incidents that brought us closer as a team and further fueled the jovial atmosphere of the evening. After all, gardening is not just about the plants; it's about creating lasting memories and sharing laughs with friends.

Finally

Our second visit to St. Botolph's Church Garden was an absolute success. With a playful mood and a dedicated team, we managed to weed and transform several beds, and planted a variety of beautiful flowers and herbs that will surely bloom into a kaleidoscope of colors. As we bid farewell to the garden, we carried with us the memories of a sunny evening filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a shared love for gardening. Until our next adventure, let's keep those green thumbs busy and our spirits as playful as ever!

Seafront flowerbed planting is happening this Sunday - More details to follow.

Have a great week :)

Julia xx

On a sunny Monday evening, 11 dedicated volunteers from GoodGym gathered at St. Botolph's Church to embark on a series of rewarding tasks aimed at beautifying the garden. Led by experienced volunteers Rik and Val, the team came together to make a positive impact by engaging in various gardening activities. Our efforts included tasks such as strimming, ivy removal, moss scraping, sweeping, weed digging, and even rebuilding a section of the doomsday wall. This report highlights the inspiring work carried out by these individuals and the positive impact they made on the church garden.

To summarise

John - Strimming an Overgrown Area

John skillfully handled the strimmer, expertly clearing an overgrown area that had become an eyesore in the garden. His precision and attention to detail resulted in a cleaner and more manicured appearance.

Gill - Ivy Removal

Gill dedicated her efforts to pulling down invasive ivy from the walls and trees, allowing the natural features of the church to shine through once again. Her determination and perseverance made a significant difference in restoring the garden's aesthetics. Gill also provided the show case of the evening liberating a frog - take a look at the cute photo.

Sue - Sweeping Sue took charge of sweeping and tidying up the garden, ensuring that fallen leaves, debris, and loose soil were removed. Her meticulousness and attention to detail helped create a clean and welcoming environment plus she followed behind me clearing up my mess ( noisily scraping moss off the paving stones with a shovel)

Ricky and Craig - Weed Digging

Ricky and Craig formed a dynamic duo, diligently digging out weeds that had taken root in the garden beds. Their teamwork and perseverance ensured the plants had a healthier environment to flourish.

Daisy and Belinda - Rebuilding the Doomsday Wall

Daisy and Belinda took on the challenging task of rebuilding a section of the doomsday wall using fallen rocks. With determination and careful planning, they successfully reconstructed the wall, restoring its structural integrity.

Rik and Val - Supervision and Guidance

Rik and Val provided essential leadership, overseeing the volunteers' activities, offering guidance, and ensuring the tasks were carried out effectively and safely. Their experience and knowledge were instrumental in coordinating the efforts of the team.

Sarah - Contribution TBD

Though the specific task Sarah undertook may have slipped our memory, her presence and dedication were integral to the success of the volunteer team. Her selfless efforts undoubtedly contributed to the overall transformation of the garden.

In conclusion

Our 11 volunteers from GoodGym showcased their dedication and community spirit by coming together to revitalize the garden of St. Botolph's Church. Through their collective efforts, they transformed an overgrown and neglected space into a beautifully maintained area. The combined tasks of strimming, ivy removal, moss scraping, sweeping, weed digging, and wall rebuilding demonstrated their commitment to enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of the church garden. Their hard work and positive impact will be appreciated by the church community and visitors for years to come. The volunteers' selflessness and determination serve as an inspiration to others, reminding us of the power of teamwork and community involvement in creating positive change.

Regenerate response

Yay - we are back to full function so photos galore!

On Wednesday the fabulous 4 reunited with Andy , the maintenance manager, at Kamelia Kids childrens centre to give him a helping hand with preparations for this weekends fete.

We donned gloves ( thank goodness ) and armed our selves with pots of wood stain and brushes and headed to the garden where Andy had asked us to help finish painting fences, gates and childrens wooded play furniture.

We worked very effectively in the given time and actually managed to get more paint on the wood than on ourselves ( apart from my hair!)

Many thanks to John who worked like a trooper ( as he also did on Monday but I neglected to make this point clear!! ) Belinda and Barbara who both covered a lot of the fiddly bits very accurately.

Another lovely hour together with great vibes.

Many thanks team!

See you on Monday :)