Guess who's back?

After 9 weeks away, I returned for my first GoodGym session since the birth of my second child.

Finally getting out of the flat, I was giddy with excitement arriving at Gale Street Organic Community Garden and seeing so many wonderful GoodGymers. Especially Monika who came along for a trial session - I loved your curiosity about GoodGym and all the questions you had; crossing my fingers you'll be back!

Weeding was the order of the day - with Nassaba guiding us on what to remove and what to leave. Although half the growing area was covered in coriander - we decided to leave it in place as it smelt amazing and Peter took some home to cook with - it was brilliant to see you after so long away.

A special well done to Meenakshi for making it to their first Gale Street session - especially after searching all over Becontree to find us. The garden is squirrelled away behind the Coop on Gale Street, I must update the direction instructions! 🙈

Our Future Leader Mason is growing in confidence every session, now having been co-leader at their 3rd. To thoroughly embarrass you - I really admire your calm and gentle presence, making everyone fee comfortable and at ease.

Last but not least, I really enjoyed chatting with Kim as we quietly worked away removing weeds from around the tomatoes - a few more days sunshine and they'll be juicy enough to harvest!

We were back at Gale Street Organic Community Garden this week, where the plants had very much enjoyed the rain with squashes looking very healthy and new grass sprouting already.

Future Leader Mason led the welcome and briefing before handing over to Nassaba who shared our tasks for the evening, providing a proper strength workout 💪

First up was to move the 10ft polycarbonate tunnel, which needed some military style planning. After some deliberation, we agreed to move from the inside with all 6 of us spaced around the edges and in charge of a leg each. On the count of 3 we lifted and shifted a few feet at a time, eventually placing it in its new temporary home.

Next up was evening out the placing of the feet, which required more strength work, carrying large stones and rocks across the site to prop the feet up and weigh it down. Within 10 minutes we'd secured it - confirmed by Nassaba's push test. All in all a great show of collaboration!

The third task of the evening needed yet more strength to drag bags full of green waste over to the trenches that will eventually be used for planting (under the polytunnel). The aim is to improve the nutrient quality of the soil. The giant bags were no match for our strength expert, Kim. Once they'd been emptied, Mason made light work of the raking to even it out.

As if that wasn't enough, we finished off the evening with a litter pick to remove a lot of plastic and glass that had been accumulated on site. We certainly left it much clearer than we found it 💚

Leaning on nature for support we attempted some (fully risk assessed) jumping shots across the trenches. Mason's was definitely profile picture worthy 📸

We were treated to a fiery sunset to round off a very satisfying and productive evening. Great work all round 🙌