GoodGym Barnet helped out at the regular Friday gardening session at Stephens House & Gardens, working with Julian between 10am and 12pm.

Arriving at 10am sharp, Julian and I got stuck into tackling brambles in various locations around the park. These were deep-rooted and determined, with their usual talent for spreading far and wide if left unchecked. The work was so tough that my spade actually bent while trying to dig out the roots!

As always, it was a pleasure to be in such a magnificent park, with bumblebees buzzing around and lovely conversations with park users interrupting the hard graft in the best possible way.

At 12 o’clock we downed tools and headed to the Bothy Garden for a well-earned social tea and biscuits.

This is a regular volunteering session supporting Stephens House & Gardens. You can also support the house by using the café, renting rooms within the house, or getting involved as a volunteer.

Come and check it out if you’ve never been — it really is one of Barnet’s special places.