We joined Friends of Morden Park this morning in the beautiful sunshine to boost their volunteer numbers for a serious raking and clearing session. We tackled a mountain of bramble roots, and while the space is already looking amazing, it’s clear this project is going to need some extra bodies in the coming weeks to keep the momentum going. Want to help - the team are there every Wednesday form 10.30am and we hope to get another session in soon.

Gardening isn't the first activity that comes to mind on a grey January morning when it's two degrees outside, but a run to the park soon got me warmed up. Three other hardy GoodGymers were already there and Liz from Friends of Morden Park set us to work cutting back brambles and shovelling mulch into wheelbarrows then transporting and spreading it along a muddy path. There was lots of appreciation from park users (and a friendly fox) which is always nice, and by the time we'd finished you could really see the improvement. Liz kindly supplied hot drinks and a selection of cake and biscuits so we lingered afterwards for a chat post-workout. I'm sure we'll return 🦊

What began as an impromptu plan to break up the day turned into a very productive session as seven GoodGymers arrived to transform a corner of the park. Working alongside the Friends of Morden Park, the team made light work of a once-neglected area by clearing stubborn brambles and laying a fresh woodchip path. It was a fantastic example of how we can help with a community space. There's plenty more to do so we will be back but the Friends meet every Wednesday at 10.30am and would welcome extra hands - so feel free to get in touch if you want to get this session listed more regularly.

Post-Parkrun was spent helping Friends of Morden Park tackle a classic winter task: mulching the pathway. Armed with shovels and barrows, we made great progress spreading fresh woodchip along the path to help keep the mud at bay during the wetter months, making the path accessible and neat. It was a great workout of shoveling and wheelbarrow relay!