Monday 26th June 2023
Find out about GoodGym TaskForce
Report written by Laura Williams
We returned to the lovely Town Hall Hotel last night for a short run to our task on Columbia Road.
It was a gorgeous evening to sit on the steps and catch up on the weekend news: all the latest from Shindig, and what we would be doing this evening.
At 6:45 we ran through a couple of warm-up exercises on the steps before heading out on tonight's run.
Ivo and John led the route this evening, taking us down Old Bethnal Green road, a quieter route, perfect for a leisurely run. As we turned the corner of Gosset Street into Columbia Road, we found Ed waiting patiently for us with a large bag of woodchip.
Our task for tonight
Tonight we were joining Ed and Ed (not a typo) from Columbia Tenants and Residents Association to help distribute the new woodchip around the borders for the new trees and plants in the Orchard area. (Woodchip can help soil retain moisture, deter weeds and acts as a boundary between plant and mower).
Having been introduced to the two types of woodchip this evening, we moved to the Orchard area to meet the other Ed who was busy distributing cardboard around the plants to be woodchipped.
Having received great instructions on the plan, we divided into three teams: one shovelling woodchip into barrows; one wheeling the barrows around to the orchard and the third distributing the woodchip around the young trees and plants.
There was quite the variety of bushes and trees with edible produce here, from strawberries to gooseberries; pears and blackcurrants.
As the first woodchip pile was finished, a small team was then assigned to planting, while a new watering team proceeded to wet all the newly-laid woodchip and plants.
At shortly after 8, we started the task of wrapping up, culminating in a group shot inside the woodchip bag (not a typo).
Going our various ways, we said our goodbyes, thanking Ed and Ed for a lovely evening in Columbia Road orchard.
Heading slowly back towards the Hotel, the running group chatted and ran at leisurely pace, stopping at the lights for a final stroll.
Shout outs A shout-out to the whole team tonight for some brilliant work, but especially to Ivo and John for leading tonight's run.
Next week
...we return to the Parkview Estate on the edge of Victoria Park, to see Catherine, Liam and Seb, who will be guiding us through a big tree-watering task.
Until then.
‘Columbia TRA work to provide ways for more residents to grow on our estates; to improve environmental awareness and sustainability; to get outdoors and make new friends in our community.’ ‘With so many of us not having a garden of our own, getting in touch with nature is more precious than ever. We want to make Columbia Road bloom seven days a week, not just on Sundays!’
See moreWed 28th Jun 2023 at 8:00am
Thank you so much for the help! Ed said "I witnessed a miracle last night!"
Wed 28th Jun 2023 at 3:24pm
Great to hear! Thanks to you both for a great evening, look forward to seeing you again soon.
Wed 28th Jun 2023 at 5:06pm
great to be involved! thanks all