The downpour of rain didn’t stop GG this evening at the INS session. To avoid the rain we first did a few indoor tasks. We strategically moved a desk upstairs and helped to rearrange the main office. We then decided to take our chances with the rain and with quick raking and sweeping, we managed to clear up parts of the garden. As some of us tried to seek shelter under some trees, there was no escaping, but we managed to clear the pavement of weeds and shovelled some soil into the flowerbeds. As we were ready to leave, the rain stopped! It was a successful session and even though we were wet, we were very satisfied of our achievement this evening.

Happy 9th birthday GoodGym Richmond!

Celebrating nine years of keeping fit by doing good in Richmond at the riverside plot we take care of on behalf of Richmond Council. A sunny jog along the river, followed by lots of watering, weeding, clearing up and happy chatting as we went. And a biscuit to finish!

Thank you to all 591 people who have done a task in Richmond over the last nine years!

The annual GG Richmond battle with the highly invasive Himalayan balsam scourging local riverbanks has commenced and on a fiery Saturday morning, four fearless warriors stepped into the leafy arena.

While a few plucky nettles defending the tall foes hit their mark, they were no match for our gang who snipped and trampled them out of the way to reach the balsam, which they whipped from the ground to the sound of the familiar and satisfying ‘pop’ that only comes from defeating them roots and all.

Although there was some dappled shade to be had in the sheltered riverside oasis, it was certainly a warm one and when the deed was done our champions each departed to their chosen location for a horizontal afternoon.

Watering in Buccleuch Gardens and around St Mary Magdalene in Richmond to help young plants get through the heat wave. And adding some Florescent topped canes to enable others to mark the places for others to water over the next couple of weeks.

A mission to water new planting at St Mary’s Church in Richmond wasn’t quite as successful as hoped but lessons learned.

GoodGym Richmond’s environmental hero Ken MacKenzie has been working with GG Richmond and all sorts of other local groups, volunteers and Duke of Edinburgh Scheme participants to improve the green spaces across the Borough including the historic Church of St Mary Magdelinr in the heart of the town.

Today’s session was a bit like a Space-X rocket that exploded on take off. My Mission was to water new planting around the War Memorial and the newly fenced wildflower beds. On the first attempt I didn’t have quite the right tools. Returning 15mins later (with a useful Philips screwdriver) I was able to do some watering but I had to abandon the mission prematurely when I discovered I had left my phone at home on charge (Doh!). Back at St Mary’s shortly afterwards there was only enough time to put everything away.

Friday 11th July afternoon planting mission in GoodGym Richmond’s sponsored plots in Buccleuch Gardens to plant out over one hundred plants grown from seed.

32 degree temperatures really not ideal so lots of watering integral to this task and lots of watering missions likely to be listed over the next couple of weeks to ensure that people and wildlife can look forward to swathes of honesty, angelica, salvia, dianthus, zinnia, cornflower, lobelia and more .