Pah, what bank holiday?!

On Monday we rounded off the first full month of GoodGym Bromley's return with a run down to Norman Park's micro-forest.

Upon discovering the water butt had run dry, we pivoted plans to dig out weeds intruding on the saplings' patch.

Special mention to returning GoodGymer Helen for starting her London Marathon prep early.

We'll return to Norman Park later in September. Next Monday (7th Sep) we'll be heading back to Bromley Palace Park.

Don't forget to sign up (and bring a plus 1) .

Okay, maybe "high drama" is a bit of an oversell.

But our litter-picking volunteers did earn rave reviews from my viewpoint, helping fish old booze bottles and a once-loved deck chair from Church House Gardens' overgrown pond.

Special mention to first-timers Rose and Sarah and to Kerry and Jeff from the Friends of Bromley Town Parks and Gardens for showing us the ropes.

Quick history lesson: the park's amphitheatre was built around 1979 to replace a vandalised island bandstand and continues to be used today to host live concerts and performances.

We'll circle back to Church House Gardens in September. Next up we're heading back to water the micro-forest in Norman Park on the 31st. Don't forget to sign up (and bring a +1).

On Monday night we headed to the thoroughly parched micro forest in Norman Park for a double dip of cardio and botany.

Teaming up with James and Alex from the Friends of Norman Park, we used the on-site water butt and cans to revive young saplings while learning how the forest is designed to become self-sufficient.

The trees were planted close together following the Miyawaki method, named after Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki. Because it is so crowded, the young trees are supposed to race upward for sunlight rather than growing wide, leading to growth rates 10x faster than standard planting.

After watering and weeding for the first two to three years, the micro forest is meant to become entirely self-sufficient – but given our boiling hot summer they need our help to survive.

We'll be back in September for more watering and weeding.

Special mention this week to long-time GoodGymer, first time Group Runner Mairi.

Next Monday it's the turn of Church House Gardens, then back to Bromley Palace Park on the 31st.

Last night we celebrated the official re-launch of GoodGym Bromley 🎉 by giving Bromley Palace Park a good old soaking.

Watering cans at the ready, we linked up with the park's indefatigable volunteers to revive the space's wild flowers, plants and trees that support local butterfly and bird populations.

As always, GoodGymers had the option of joining the 2K loop around the residential roads surrounding the park before and after or conserving energy – and hydration – and meeting directly at the venue.

Special mentions for the returning Millie and newcomer John. Hope to see you again next week.

We'll be back at Bromley Palace Park again soon. Details for the remaining Monday evening Group Runs TBA shortly.

On Monday evening we soft launched the Big Bromley Reboot with a run to through the enchanting gardens of Bromley Palace Park and trip down memory lane.

After a light 2K jog via Church House Gardens, our modest crew joined forces with regular volunteers Dawn, Moira, Stacey and dog Yoda to weed, water and plant a few dozen geraniums.

Along the way, Dawn led a tour round the medieval-era moat was once used as a living larder of fish for former resident the Bishop of Rochester.

She pointed out the sunken ha-ha and ice house they meticulously excavated from overgrown moss. Then as dusk fell we spotted native bats swooping for mosquitoes on the water's edge.

Special mention for first-timer Georgia jumping in the deep end (not literally) and getting her hands dirty (quite literally) on her first Good Gym group run.

Same again next Monday?

This week I was back at the Silverdale planters with Viv, Lumin, and a brilliant team of local volunteers.

We picked up some litter, tackled some weeding and cut back plants that had been affected by the hot, dry summer.

It was great to see one planter flourishing, while the other showed some impact from the dry weather.

This week's top tip from Lumen: apply mulch in early May during dry summers to help the soil retain moisture and protect your plants.

The planters are looking much tidier, and we'll be back soon—come join us! 🌱✨