This was our second visit to Mr G’s to clear the rest of his garden. He had bought a small saw for us to use in cutting back the last branches of the conifer and some other overgrown bushes on the other side. Tsitsi and I set to work with the help of Mr G’s friend’s son. As Tsitsi got further into the conifer she realised that it was actually three trees disguised as one! My lopper that I bought for £14 went into retirement as the handle came off it. The most impressive tool was Mr G’s small saw which achieved so much and apparently was only £3! In an hour and a half we had completely cleared back the growth and now there was a huge mountain of cuttings in the middle of the garden. Mr G was so happy with the work. He told us his plans for paving some of the garden and adding a seating area, he also said that now the sun could shine on the whole garden so they could plant things in a wider area. Mrs G showed us the roses that she had bought at the market and planned to plant in the garden. She also encouraged us to smell the scented rose in the front garden, that was gorgeous. When we finished we were invited in for lunch. Mrs G had cooked a delicious and healthy vegetarian feast. The Palestinian dish mujaddara, made with lentils, bulgur wheat and caramelised onions and served with a tomato, chilli, garlic and ginger sauce. Mrs G explained that this is a popular Arab dish. It was incredibly delicious. I ate as much as my stomach would allow and then Mrs G packed up the rest for us in pots. She then served us pudding!! Roasted nuts in wheat baskets dribbled with syrup. They were so yummy. We chatted about food and language and learned a couple of Arabic words, we also discussed the football and how impressive some teams were. Mr & Mrs G were so generous, we came away with our hearts and bellies full 🥰

This week, we were back at Everton Park and quickly split into two groups. Thanks Miriam and Aatefa for the two reports!

Litterpicking

Myself, Jo, Lucien, Craig and Clara went off to do the litterpicking at the bottom of the park. Apparently this stretch of the park is where fans from all over the world walk through from the city centre to get to Anfield so it has to look presentable to showcase Liverpool. The litter was prolific. Mostly sweet wrappers and plastic bags and lots of bottles but reward for unusual find goes to Jo who found a plastic elephant, she also found a birds nest and a clothing wrack. In an hour we collected eight sack fulls of rubbish. We took them to the community skip. On the way back to the gardens we saw a brightly painted skate park and a newly opened kids parked. It’s easy to see what a rich community Everton is and we felt glad to be able to contribute.

The Verdant Verdict: A Chronicle of Ten GoodGymers in Everton

In the heart of Everton, where the city's pulse beats a steady rhythm against the hum of nature, a fellowship of ten gathered as the day began its gentle descent into dusk. They were the GoodGymers, a modern-day band of heroes whose strength was not measured in muscle alone, but in the collective will to cultivate community. Their destination was the Everton Community Garden, a cherished green sanctuary that had called upon their aid. And as the sun cast its final, golden rays upon the garden's entrance, casting long, dancing shadows across the earth, the ten assembled, each having answered the call in their own noble fashion.

For some, the journey was a quiet pilgrimage through the amber-lit streets, their footsteps soft upon the pavement as they walked with thoughtful purpose through the cooling evening air. For others, it was a pedal-powered odyssey, wheels turning in rhythm with the city's gentle twilight hum. And for two among their number, it was a spirited run, a rhythmic pounding of trainers against the tarmac as they made their way from Suitcases, that beloved landmark upon Hope Street, their breath keeping time with Liverpool's own steady pulse, until they arrived at the verdant embrace of Everton Park just as the evening began to unfurl its velvet cloak. Yet, regardless of the path each had trodden, they all converged as one, a tapestry of diverse faces, ten unique stories, united by a singular and noble purpose. Each arrival was met with warmth, for every journey, whether by foot, by wheel, or by run, was a gift of time and energy freely offered to the community they cherished, offered not in the brightness of morning, but in the quiet generosity of an evening given to service.

The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the promise of an evening's noble toil. The cool breeze carried whispers of the day's fading warmth, and the garden seemed to sigh with anticipation. The session commenced not with the clang of a bell, but with the welcoming words of the Run leader, his voice carrying gently through the twilight. A special warmth filled the air as Hasan was introduced, a bright new star in their constellation of volunteers. His first session was marked by a chorus of greetings, a genuine embrace from the entire group, officially welcoming him into the fold. Every member, whether they had walked, cycled, or run to be there, offered him a beaming smile and a hand of friendship, for they knew that the strength of their fellowship lay not in how they arrived, but in the fact that they had arrived at all, sacrificing their evening hours for a cause greater than themselves.

With the pleasantries exchanged, the tone turned to one of thoughtful preparation. A comprehensive safety briefing was delivered, its words carefully chosen and heeded, outlining the careful choreography of the evening's activities. The group listened with intent, ten pairs of eyes fixed upon their leader in the fading light, understanding that the true essence of their work lay not in reckless haste, but in mindful and considered effort, especially as the evening shadows grew longer. The plan was set: a two-pronged assault on the garden's ills, with the ultimate goal of restoring its inherent grace before nightfall claimed the sky.

The fellowship was then cleaved into two groups of five, each embarking on a distinct quest, and each member, whether they had arrived on foot, on two wheels, or on two swift legs, was entrusted with a role of equal importance.

The first quintet, armed with grabbers and bin bags, began their meticulous sweep beneath the amber sky. They were the "Litter Knights," banishing the forgotten wrappers and stray detritus that had dared to mar the garden's beauty. Their work was a silent conversation with the earth, a reclaiming of its purity as the daylight slowly surrendered to dusk. Every piece of litter collected was a small victory, and every member of this group, be they walker, cyclist, or runner, contributed with equal diligence and pride, their efforts illuminated by the soft glow of the setting sun.

Simultaneously, the second group of five, equipped with sturdy tools and unwavering resolve, turned their attention to a grander task. They ventured into the adjacent areas of Everton, not to fell, but to liberate. Their mission was to clear the space around "Chree Trees," a term that seemed to hum with the spirit of the old Everton, ensuring these leafy sentinels could breathe freely and stand tall against the urban sprawl. With each branch cleared and each weed uprooted, they restored dignity to the ancient trees, their silhouettes stark and beautiful against the evening sky. Every member of this group, whether they had arrived by foot, by cycle, or by run, worked with equal passion and strength, their labour a quiet offering to the encroaching night.

And so, for a time, the symphony of labour played on as the evening deepened around them: the whisper of leaves as branches were cleared, the soft clink of litter meeting its metal container, the steady breath of the runners now restored, the gentle hum of conversation, and the shared camaraderie of a team working in perfect harmony against the fading light. Each member, regardless of how they had arrived, found their place in this beautiful orchestra of effort. The journey from Suitcases, the stroll from nearby streets, the cycle from distant corners, all became threads in a single tapestry of community spirit, each thread equally vital to the whole, woven together as the stars began to peek through the darkening canopy above.

As the evening sky deepened into a canvas of indigo and the first stars began to twinkle, the two groups concluded their respective campaigns. Their work was a resounding success. The littered pathways were once again pristine, and the areas around the ancient trees were cleared, allowing the moonlight to soon dapple the ground in silver patterns. The garden and its surrounding spaces now breathed a sigh of relief, their innate beauty coaxed back to the surface by the gentle hands of their caretakers, even as darkness settled around them. And every single member, walker, cyclist, and runner alike, could look upon the transformation and know that their contribution, however great or small, had been indispensable.

The final, glorious act of the evening was the reunion. Both groups, their spirits high and their work complete, converged once more in the heart of the Everton Community Garden, now bathed in the soft glow of street lamps and the gentle light of a rising moon. They stood together, a fellowship of ten, surveying their handiwork, a transformed landscape that stood as a testament to what a community can achieve when every member gives their all, even as the day gives way to night. No distinction was made between those who had walked, those who had cycled, or those who had run; all were celebrated equally, for each had brought their own unique gift to the evening. With farewells exchanged beneath the stars, promises to return, and hearts overflowing with quiet pride, each member began their journey home, the walkers strolling with satisfied steps through the lamplit streets, the cyclists pedalling with renewed vigour into the cool night air, and the two runners turning back towards Suitcases on Hope Street, their legs carrying them home through the darkened city with the sweet fatigue of an evening well spent. But whether they travelled by foot, by wheel, or by run, they all carried with them the same treasure: the joy of service, the warmth of fellowship, and the quiet satisfaction of a job beautifully done under the watchful gaze of the evening sky.

In that moment of collective reflection, surrounded by the fruits of their labour and the gentle hush of night, one thing was clear:

It was a truly tree-mendous effort.

Clara and I met at Mrs D’s and established that the front garden was overgrown with grass and weeds. It was difficult to open the front gate and there was no clear path to the front door. We reckoned that we could clear most of it by hand but we had a spade and a strimmer at our disposal. It was slightly cooler than it has been these past few weeks which we were glad for because this was hot work. The green bins were practically full so Mrs D showed us where we could compost the trimmings in her back yard, next to where she had buried the budgie the week before. While we carried out the task Mrs D bought us some ice cream and soft drinks, it was really appreciated. I said to Clara ‘we can see the flags now’ and we had a chat about the term flags (short for flagstones) and whether it was a southern or northern thing, when I first moved to Liverpool I heard people saying, ‘it’s cracking the flags’ meaning it was hot and the heat was cracking the flagstones. I’d never heard the phrase before and thought they were talking about waving flags because it was so hot! I think the pictures that Clara took of before and after really speak for themselves, it was such a satisfying task and Mrs D’s friend commented that it would be easier to get to the front door. Mrs D was really delighted, we really feel that the work made a big impact on her well being. It gave her peace of mind that the front was presentable and she could access her front door with ease. We treated ourselves to crisps and pop in the park before our next mission.