Three of us came together for the final planting and celebration at the new Hollickwood Community Orchard, which we helped get started in January. Subham met me in North Finchley and we ran with the gorgeous weather through Coppetts Wood to Friern Bridge Open Space, then across the A406 into Hollickwood.

There we were met by lovely staff from Earthwatch Europe and The Orchard Project, as well as some brilliant volunteers from nearby, a few from January and one or two new. We got stuck in with ferrying mulch and water for the last fruit tree (a Diospyros Kaki, a type of persimmon). Then we helped expand the 'edible island' bed to accommodate some well-weathered herbs.

Once everything was in the ground and mulched, we ran back and forth with buckets and watering cans to make sure everything had a good drink. Paul arrived just in time to help with some heavy lifting. And then it was our turn for refreshments, with some excellent vegan catering, out on the Freehold Centre patio.

We'll no doubt be back later in the year to check on things and help the Centre out with some other tasks, but for now we can congratulate ourselves on some good work, great exercise and even better weather!