Back to the Ham Lands this morning on a cool but dry day. Sharon of the Friends of Ham Lands was there to meet us as usual, and led us amongst the trees into an area where our help was needed.

The task was to cut down young cherry trees, which had been springing up from the roots all around a larger parent tree. We needed to use loppers and handsaws to cut them down as close to the base as possible to avoid leaving stumps for walkers to trip over.

This was a lot of fun as the trees were immature enough to make cutting them down quite easy, and the group got stuck in and made huge progress very quickly alongside the FOHL members.

There were a number of big canvas bags dotted around and these were filled repeatedly with all the saplings and emptied in the undergrowth, the growing pile standing testament to the efforts everyone was making.

As usual, after the group photo we headed over to the Swiss Bakery for coffee and treats. Our next time on the Ham Lands will be on 10th June - sign up now to come along here: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/richmond-big-green-week-helping-the-happy-ham-landers

There's a bank holiday sort out, and then there is a Bank Holiday Big Help Out!

With the weather awarding us a Royal Pardon, we enjoyed a fabulous task at our two sponsored riverside plots in Richmond-upon-Thames, at Buccleuch Gardens. Pre-task a group took a run together, doing laps around the area at a variety of paces. On the last lap, the group met with the gents and ladies-in-waiting back at the Arcade area where our crown jewels/tools are stored.

After an introduction by the town crier/Liz, the reigning Queen of the Arcade, Task owner Anita appeared to deliver task information to the waiting masses. Amongst them, six wonderful visiting royals who were joining for the first time as part of the Big Help Out event: Amy, Ricky, Athina, Boon, Linda and David.

Royal duties included:

• A massive weed attack focusing on getting rid of Common Hog Weed and Dandelions in the Plot and clearing weeds from around the River Steps, lamppost and Apartment wall.

• A princely sum of weeds filled the trugs and were bagged up for the Richmond Landscape Contractors.

• Green waste was collected on the trampoline and moved to the compost heap, where it is next in line to become useful soil in the future!

• Weeding Teams transformed the Canarian Palm planters, the hard standing (paths, brickwork, paving), the rockery and the lawn.

• Kate brought new terracotta crocs for the Three Pigeons insect hotel for a room upgrade fit for a princess!

• The Arcade had a bit of a Coronation makeover with Union Jacks and a hastily painted ‘Big Help Out’ sign repurposed from a Street Party road closure, as well as a clean sweep inside in case the reign came later!

• Black markers were used, not on pages, but to cleverly camouflage graffiti in the area.

The task was completed with a Royal Banquet/picnic on the Arcade Lawn, with homebaked scones by James, homemade king of dips (hummus) and a variety of snacks from Salwa and countless other contributions to the feast.

With 24 people working for an hour and a half, that's a truly Happy & Glorious 36 hours of volunteering completed in one social, active and fun afternoon.

Gilded carriages/bikes/feet sent Happy GoodGymmers home victorious!

We weren't able to complete the willow weaving task but we will be back at the gardens on Monday 12th June and everyone is welcome to join us: https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/gardening-at-goodgym-sponsored-riverside-three-pigeons-plot-and-monthly-social-drinks