The weather was epic this Sunday. A fresh southwesterly breeze and rain-threatening clouds welcomed eight GoodGymmers as we returned to Sydney Gardens for our regular monthly visit.

Joining us today, and both very welcome, were newcomers Kate, and Ava. The usual suspects rocking up were Cosmo, Ruth, Aaron, Emily, Vicky and Meyrick.

We can never quite be sure about the task awaiting us, but Sydney Gardens always offers up a physical challenge. This time, there was a return to a task we had started last Summer. Up at the top of the park, adjacent with the tennis courts, lie two fenced off 'mounds' with gated entrances half submerged in the earth. As far as I have been able to understand, these domed structures contain a grotto/reservoir where water collects, fed from one of the many rivulets that descend from the high hills beyond. This work was completed in pre-Victorian times, for reasons unknown and vegetation and creeping earth have done their best to swallow them up.

The Friends of Sydney Gardens would like the entrances to these dug up in order that they can be turned into features of some kind in the future. A lot of work needs to happen before that goal can be realised, so for the moment just moving topsoil out to other areas will have to suffice.

In fact I was there in December, the sole attendee on that occasion, digging down to the entrance to one grotto and creating a pile of earth. Today we moved that pile of earth into a hole that needed filling.

Whilst half of us did this, (and too many hands etc), newcomers Kate and Ava joined Vicky in weeding around the perimeter of the tennis courts (people were playing despite the weather) to make it look presentable when Spring arrives.

Storm Herminia cut our workforce in half but three GoodGymers still came out to help the volunteers at Sydney Gardens. Dave, Meyrick and Ruth started with a group run from the Leisure Centre - actually it was more of a leisurely walk but, hopefully, we managed to clock up a mile or so for the January Challenge.

Jane Austen once walked the paths of Sydney Gardens - she lived close by and attended promenades and other events in the park. So when GoodGym turn up to help restore the grade II listed space, they stand in solidarity with the author.

Today however the pleasure gardens weren't quite so pleasant, given the appalling weather. We had actually been due to move (heaven and) earth to fill in a rather large dip in the ground but rain stopped play.

Instead, we were given the job of helping the regular volunteers clear topsoil and vegetation with a view to creating a path next to the railway. Network Rail has recently installed some fencing next to the track to make it safer and Gill, the organiser, wanted to extend a walk alongside.

She pointed out what looked like a recess for a bench for visitors to enjoy the view and watch the trains go by. Who knows? Perhaps the esteemed author sat there once.

Spades, forks, colourful buckets and wheelbarrows were brought in to tackle the piles of soil and brush. You might say, "What on earth were we doing to take it on in the downpour?" But that's GoodGym for you!

We managed to make quite an impact during our session - although more work is needed to see if the famous writer's footprints will be revealed. (Spoiler alert - very unlikely!)

We work in partnership with the Friends of Sydney Gardens on every fourth Sunday of the month, and love doing so. Last week we had an urgent request for help, with days to gather some GoodGymmers.

As it turned out, there were 1,000 tulip bulbs and they needed planting very quickly. In fact, my lack of knowledge or horticulture showing here, it was technically aleady too late as they ought to have been planted last November time. I'm guessing they didn't arrive in time for that and it turns out a late planting won't stop them growing, they just might be a little late.

Despite the short notice, GoodGymmers Alice and Meyrick were able to make it and we joined their regular team of volunteers. First task was to dig holes, and despite the freezing weather this was much easier than we'd thought. In fact the main frustration were stones and roots, but we dug ourselves some good holes.

By the time we left, our GoodGym holes added to their holes was enough to consume all 1,000 bulbs. With any luck, when we return in late spring we will be able to see the fruits of our labour.

Almost Christmas Eve, yet GoodGym were still at work, like Santa's Elves. Sydney Gardens is going to see a lot more activity from GoodGym in 2025 but as it was, this was more of a winter whimper, the weather also impacting attendance.

I myself was not there, as I was ill, but to the best of my knowledge Cos was, helping the team of volunteers that meets once a month on the fourth Sunday.

On Sunday morning, in the remnants of Storm Darragh, a lone GoodGymmer strode forth. The plan had been to help them plant 1,000 bulbs. However, they didn't have enough gear for this so I was relegated to a quieter corner of the park to work alone.

The task? To dig a hole near the entrance to one of the grottoes where we had previously cleared the foliage. This wasn't s pointless job though, there were two reasons for the digging. Firstly, they need to dig down to clear the entrance way of earth, as the stairs and entrance to the grottoes are under a good 100 years of gathered topsoil. Secondly, there is a need for some topsoil to fill in some 'dents' in the topography.

I managed a reasonably pile in the hour I had, but the Earth was thick with roots and rocks, so wasn't easy to break up.

It may have been (very) soggy but that wasn't going to stop four hardy GoodGymmers from helping out at Sydney Gardens.

Two big dumpy sacks of play sand had been delivered to nearby* the children's water and sand playground which was strangely devoid of actual children. Which gave GoodGym a perfect opportunity to be big kids!

The luxury of three wheelbarrows meant we quickly split i to roles of loaders (Felicia and Melanie), barrower (Cosmo) and raker (Evie) all trying to keep up with everyone else. At times the rain eased off but kept coming back with a vengeance.

We managed to shift close to the whole two bags but prioritised channel clearing at the end of our session to try to free some of the water that should cascade down through the playground rather than just making a series if huge puddles, so shovelling and trowelling wet sand was our toddler-like finale - great work!

Now to dry out...

*not quite near enough