Local residents have done a sterling job in transforming this area outside the telephone exchange, but they are always in need of a helping hand. Six of us GoodGymers were tasked with laying down cardboard on cleared areas, filling barrows with woodchip and then spreading it on top. Refreshed by glasses of pomegranate juice served by Maggie, we soon transformed the area and were rewarded with a downhill run on the way home!

We had a perfect sunny afternoon for our second session at this community garden. It was great to see Jo and Steve again and we soon got stuck into some much-needed weeding around the beds and along the borders. The church is hosting its summer fair next weekend and so our efforts helped to make everything look shipshape. Oh, and we managed not to get too distracted by Toffee, the adorable pup.

Today's jobs were to plant up the ornamental beds with grasses, sow flower seeds, do a bit of weeding and, most importantly, fetch water for the garden from Canons House, as the outdoor tap is out of action. Three GoodGymers helped the team of volunteers to get all the jobs done swiftly, leaving time to appreciate our efforts with a cuppa from the adjacent cafe. The community garden is really coming along and it's lovely to see it blooming.

I helped clean and pack away after the Open Table community lunch. It was extremely well attended and every morsel of food was eaten! Success!

I joined Friends of the Earth to help weed around the tree saplings (some are now 4 years old!) and lay down some more wood chippings to prevent more from growing. Rewarding but tough work as the lack of rainfall meant the weeds were short but strong!

We were one volunteer down (last minute) for the clean-up after another busy food distribution session at Merton’s Community Fridge. And with the warmer weather in full swing, it was a sweaty one, but we cracked through just about every box and crate rolling up our sleeves to get everything back in order. From wiping down surfaces to taking out bins and helping with a much needed extra laundry load (thanks to the heat), we were done and on our way for the next job.