A GoodGym classic - a hardcore pruning session for three trees that had become rather overgrown!

It's officially headtorch season, and armed with a very fun array of loppers and secateurs, we got to work along the perimeter of the garden at Cressfield Close, taking back all the overgrown foliage to clear some space. We left the one late flowering rose in place, but had lots of other thorny branches to contend with!

Once a huge pile of cuttings had been raked together we had a slightly tricker challenge - working out if we could fit it all into one wheely bin.

Luckily, we're quite adept at condensing down green matter now, so the pile was rapidly sliced up and compacted into about a quarter of its original size!

We left the garden looking much neater, and reader for part of the fence to be repaired to maintain the resident's privacy.

It's probably not the most original title, but to answer the question; yes, we can dig it!

Five GoodGymers assembled at Cressfield Close On Wednesday to lend a hard in their community garden. Our lovely host, Marie, was back from a trip and very glad of the extra pairs of hands to help her get on top of things.

We split into two teams; one group decanting soil into smaller bags so that it could easily be reused, while the second group went to town with forks and shovels on a very compacted flower bed so that it could be replanted.

There was plenty of cat chat through the evening, with one local resident regularly popping in to check on our progress!

Extra credit tasks included pruning back a hedge, chopping up some branches for the compost bag, and creating a little barrier along the edge of the flower bed with some reused paving slabs.

Marie has very kindly send us some feedback: "It was a huge help, greatly appreciated. And it makes a massive difference to know I and our little community have help."

Well done everyone! We'll be back at Cressfield in three weeks time. If you haven't already, it's time to dig your headtorches out as it's starting to get a bit dark towards the end of tasks!

We had a lovely evening in the garden at Cressfield Close, helping tidy up their communal garden. While Steph, John, and Ariane got on with a very methodical bit of path clearing, Jackie went into action hero mode, pruning back an overgrown hedge that needed beating into shape. Our host, Marie, took vary good care of us in the heat, keeping us watered as well as the plants!

We got a very special treat treat from the residents, who didn't want team GoodGym to miss out on the eclipse. When the moon was in a good position, we were called up to the top floor, where a series of window slats provided an excellent reflection of the sun that could be viewed safely.

After a final sweep and tidy up, we said our goodbyes. We've been invited back for next month, so keep an eye out for the next task!

This lovely group met earlier than usual — ahead of England's ill-fated (!) semi final — to make a wonderful difference at Cressfield Close Sheltered Housing :)

They weeded, pruned, dug, and shifted, and they left a brilliant number of ticked-off tasks :)

Thank you, everyone!

9 GoodGymers caught some good deeding on the hottest night of the year!

The sun-seekers were out in full force in Camden on Wednesday evening, and our brilliantly altruistic group joined them with community purpose in mind!

This wonderful lot — Alex, Denzel, Giulia (on their first good deed — welcome!), Jackie, John, Lydia, Mariam, and Thierry — met in Kentish Town to gift time and energy to the residents at Cressfield Close Sheltered Housing!

Together we:

💚 Decanted two large planters ready for fresh blooms this spring!

💚 Took out (roots and all!) enough weeds to fill a wheely bin!

💚 Raked out brambles and nettles leaving a hedgerow with the room to thrive!

💚 Spread ‘spent hops’ to fertilise and enrich the sun-soaked soil!

Thank you, everyone! Here’s to next time!

8 GoodGymers made a wonderful difference in Kentish Town!

We took a visit to one of our usual haunts last night.

Nestled in a corner of a cul de sac — away from the usual bustle of Kentish Town — is a very special sheltered housing scheme.

With a winding garden full of seasonal delights, this group got to quick work yesterday evening!

❤️ Alex, Sam (on their first good deed — welcome!), and Steve transformed a weed strewn vegetable patch into a perfect image of fresh soil ripe and ready for next year's planting :)

❤️ Gary and John started off by weeding one flower bed... then two... then three! And then they turned their quick hands to raking and sweeping, making everything better by the minute :)

❤️ Caitlin and Jackie visited a resident's garden and made the swiftest and most efficient work of the fallen leaves, gifting this space back to the very grateful resident :)

Thank you, everyone! Here's to next time!