GoodGym Manchester

ManchesterCommunity mission
Ben FosterPeter

Storming ivy

Monday 21st July

Written by Ben Foster

Despite the stormy weather and circulating thunder ā›ˆļø, Peter and Ben rolled up their sleeves for a strenuous weeding session at Gorse Hill Studios 🌱

Along with Rachel, Cathy, and Duncan from the Studios, we were tasked with removing as much ivy and weeds as possible from the border. It was no small task and with the thunderous background, we set to work with loppers choppers, saw, and secateurs āœ‚ļø

We unearthed a lot of roots, rubbish šŸ—‘ tennis balls šŸ„Ž and a broom end (we initially thought it was a hedgehog šŸ¦”). We freed the planted bushes and a rose bush and left the area in a much better state than we found it. Meanwhile, the compost pile is now huge and Rachel measured out the pond area.

Well hydrated with a cup of tea, we also blitzed some weeding at the allotment, watered the polytunnel plants 🪓, and planted cucumber šŸ„’ and more squash šŸŽƒ in the garden. Job well done all round šŸ‘ šŸ’Ŗ

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ManchesterCommunity mission
Ben Foster

Roadside marshal

Saturday 19th July

Written by Ben Foster

Juno, Gosia, and I helped with marshalling and some of the clear up at Stamford Park parkrun event number 442. We were tasked with the final corners that take the 5 km route along Darnton Road.

140 runners and walkers completed the route. Definitely one to run at some point.

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ManchesterCommunity mission
Ben FosterPeterStefanie CooperSam WhitehallCharly PetersTyla Ko

Bagging up

Wednesday 16th July

Written by Ben Foster

Good session with Smithfield Garden Club, clearing lots of litter from an area near The Wheatsheaf in Northern Quarter 🚮

Welcome to Tyla for the first time, joining a bumper group for a rare Wednesday night task.

Louise and Phil were in charge with Robert, landlord at the Wheatsheaf, also lending an able hand. We got bag rings, gloves, bin bags, a makeshift sharps bin, and brooms with dustpan to do a loop of the area.

Some notable collections:

  • battery šŸ”‹
  • mattress šŸ›
  • hoover
  • various clothing šŸ‘–
  • lots of broken bottles, glass, cans

We also trimmed one of the communal beds and had an introduction to the amazing work the local group had done to develop the area, including some of the planted areas that were looking good šŸŒ³šŸŒ±šŸƒ

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ManchesterCommunity mission
Ben FosterLaura BoldisonNiamh Hanna

Colour by numbers

Tuesday 15th July

Written by Ben Foster

Productive session at What If? in Stockport this evening for Julie, Laura, Niamh, and Ben!

Braving the stormy weather 🌧 we split into 2 groups:

  • Clearing the garden and pond maintenance 🌳
  • Planter painting šŸŽØ

Directed by Pauline and Aoife, we managed to put a first coat of green and pink water-based protective paint on the dry bits of the planters, managing not to cause too many splashes. Even with the small brush, Niamh expertly filled in all the nooks and crannies. Julie was in the garden, giving it a clear up after the hot spell of weather.

After Clearing up, we had a brew and some Moroccan chickpea salad šŸ„— before heading home.

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ManchesterCommunity mission
Ben FosterPeterStefanie Cooper

Hedging our bets

Monday 14th July

Written by Ben Foster

Stefanie, Peter, and Ben made the trip to Gorse Hill Studios for another task as part of their Green Rooms project. We joined Katie, Duncan, Lisa, and Rebecca from Gorse Hill Studios.

This evening we were at the Studios to continue in the outside area. Our task was to plant 10 hedge trees and another taller Aralia elata šŸŒ³šŸŒ±šŸƒ

With the soil still dry, stoney, and full of rubble and 20+ year old crisp packets, the going was tough with deep and wide holes needed. Looking like a scene from Holes, we used forks to loosen up the soil and spades to dig out as much earth as possible. In addition, the tree roots needed releasing from their compact tangle to encourage growth, not an easy task.

After a couple of hours, copious biscuits šŸŖ and a cup of tea šŸµ , we managed to break the back of the task with ALL the trees planted and looking splendid in the evening sunshine šŸŒž We topped up with compost and generously watered, hoping the stormy weather this week will keep them well hydrated.

We cleared up and said our farewells. I'm still astounded we got all of them planted so strong effort šŸ’Ŗ

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ManchesterGroup run
Ben Foster

Tins after trees 🌳

Monday 14th July

Written by Ben Foster

Following a session planting hedge trees 🌳, Ben made the 2.5 mile run, admittedly on the way home, to drop off items to the foodbank collection point at ASDA in Hulme. In all there was:

  • tinned sweetcorn 🌽
  • tinned mushrooms šŸ„
  • tinned tuna 🐟
  • tinned spaghetti šŸ
  • tinned mandarins šŸŠ
  • jar of jam šŸ“
  • UHT milk šŸ„›
  • Apple juice šŸ
  • rice pudding 🄫

Decent run and made the trolley a little bit fuller before running home šŸ”

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