Despite torrential rain forecast, ten hardy GoodGymers headed to Pagoda Arts, a fantastic organisation who provide opportunities for people to engage with Chinese cultural activities.

There was some drizzle as three GoodGymers met at Hope Street to run to the task, and we welcomed back GoodGymer Jo from GoodGym Exeter, who doesn’t let work trips stop her from joining tasks. We enjoyed the shelter of the trees outside the centre whilst the group gathered, and fortunately the heavy rain predicted held off, not that that would have stopped us! The non-runners kept themselves active too, with Pauline cycling and Lucian and others arriving by foot.

The task was to clear the outside area and we soon set to work. Litter was picked, brambles and thistles were removed, and the team did a fantastic job of scaling the very steep slope outside the centre and getting it looking spick and span. We were all very impressed with the “large leaf grabber” which Jake used to make short work of clearing the fallen leaves.

During our clearing Sian came across a small knife which had been discarded. Safety first, Ema was quick to remind the team of the process for sharps and arranged for it to be safely disposed of with the centre’s sharps kit. We were pleased to make the area much cleaner and safer for the centre’s community.

There was a clear difference made and the Pagoda were so delighted with the work done, they treated us to a round of Chinese tea, which Sallyann correctly identified as jasmine. We enjoyed our cuppa to the relaxing sound of the tai chi class which was going on in the main hall (and which Miriam was tempted to join!).

Pagoda Arts have already booked us in for the next Chinese New Year and there was talk of further sessions to help out in Autumn. It’s a lovely organisation and we’ll be pleased to be back there soon.

Dike, Sophie and Sallyann ran to the task, the rest of us met at the garden on the corner of Blundell street and Wapping. For a lot of Good Gymers the last time they had seen the garden was in the dark so it was lovely to see it in the beautiful early evening sun with so much in bloom.

Elaine was there to explain what was growing. Ema commented that the garden had the look of a hot climate garden and Elaine said that care had been taken to grow a variety of plants that could survive any climate. She said that the garden also had late bloomers so, when the rest of Liverpool has stopped flowering, the bees can come here for a late season party. There was towering globe artichoke, Fennel, Evening Primrose and lots of Salvia. There was an alpine sea holly that was such a vivid blue, if you’d painted it you’d be told that the colour was too vibrant. There was Jerusalem Sage that had pretty bulbed heads on stalks which apparently turns yellow in late summer. Elaine said that this shrub had spent some time spreading its roots before flowering. Elaine has to decide which plants are taking over the space but she said that now it is more about taking plants out that are getting too prolific rather than planting new ones.

And so, to the job in hand, which pesky plants are we culling this evening? Elaine explained to us that it was the grass that was taking over. She explained it was the flat leaf grass we wanted rid of and other varieties were ornamental and should stay. We set about rooting out this grass and some of us litter picked. The site is right next to a fast food restaurant so litter is a problem. While we were working a young lad went passed on his bike and shouted, ‘because of people like you, the world is a better place!’

This week, we were back on Mulgrave street to help Kahn from Mulgrave Street Action group keep the weeds at bay.

There was one particular bed that was in need of clearing, so we set to work. The main challenge, as always with gardening tasks, was deciding what constitutes a weed... But with clear guidance from Khan we were able to clear space for the plants to flourish and we ended up filling 6 bags full of weeds!

Special shout out goes to Afrah who joined us for the first time and Bekah who completed her 50th task today! Excellent work from both.

It is always a pleasure to work with Mulgrave street Action Group and it is fantastic to see how well the garden is doing! Well done for all your hard work folks - I'm sure next time we will be able to see the results of our efforts in full force!