A rather chilly Monday evening was no match for 9 GoodGymers this evening, all committed to a very physical task in Bow's GET OUT garden.

Meeting at just before 7 at the bottom of Harley Grove, we enjoyed a good 15 minutes of our regular body weight move-routine, ensuring we tackled everything from tricep dip to trap stretch.

Our little group slowly grew, and at just gone 7, we headed around the corner to the large iron gate of the GET OUT garden.

This previously disused, overgrown area of around has been transformed into 'a productive food forest that reflects the principles of permaculture and acts as a hub for education and connecting to nature'.

Tonight GET OUT team member Frankie had several tasks lined up for the team:

The Timber Team were heading to the skate ramp, to shift large planks of wood to the polytunnel and the exit area to help free-up space.

The Weeding Squad headed to the garlic beds to tackle the many weeds that have put down their roots since we planted the bulbs, working carefully around the many weeds in a variety of sizes in this dimly-lit area.

Meanwhile, the dedicated timber team were busy working effectively in pairs shifting very large wooden planks and boards all over the garden.

The brilliant Frankie directed the teams well, assigning them to new areas no soon as one was completed.

8pm came around fast as usual, and at 8:05 we were gathering tools, and admiring Emma and Ilana's final bit of weeding in the patch by the Camellia.

Off to the shed we went, to return kit and pose for our final pics of the night.

Big shout-outs tonight:

... To Martin, our resident head-torch technican.

... To Oliver, on head torch-collection.

...And, a special mention this week, to the GoodGymers who travel across town to join tasks, who tonight included:

• John, who travelled from Camden.

• Emma who travelled from Croyden.

• Oliver who travelled from Southwark.

• ...and Fiona from Waltham Forest!

Great night, everyone.

Until next time.

A dry but blustery evening saw 10 GoodGymers head to the GET OUT garden in Harley Grove this evening to assist the brilliant Frankie with some serious digging work.

But first the fitness

A small group gathered by the little wall at the end of the street to run through tonight’s workout. As luck would have it, the wall was dry and so we were able to add tricep dips, split squats and a couple of variations of the seated leg lower too.

We spent a little time on some upper body stretches this week, agreeing that a short step-by-step flexibility routine, tackling tight traps and the hardworking rotator cuff group is an excellent use of five minutes at the start of the week.

Making our way up to the GET OUT gate, we joined several new arrivals to head in and see what needed to be done tonight.

About GET OUT

The GET OUT garden is a community garden and food forest project in Bow. A previously un-used area of around half an acre has been transformed into a ‘productive food forest that reflects the principles of permaculture, and acts as a hub for education and connecting to nature'.

Tonight's task

Frankie was superbly well prepared, taping off the area, laying out tools, and even creating twine hooks for our lights.

The team wasted no time in making a start, first rooting out the tough alkatel weed, then removing soil, and then turning the remaining soil. Barrows were filled and shuttled over to the compost area.

All the stages of this task proved to be a thoroughly good workout.

The time went quickly and productively, and it was something of a surprise when we realised it was just a few minutes before 8.

Following a quick spade-cleaning tutorial from Frankie (mud = rust) we dropped the last of the tools at the shed; gathered head torches (thanks Emma), and posed (patiently) for that final pic.

It was a great evening: lovely to be back with the knowledgeable and fun Frankie; good to be outside, working hard, being productive and enjoying one another’s company. And an added bonus, tonight we celebrated our John’s 1000th deed (tonight’s was 1009).

Next week, we return to the Yurt Café in Limehouse to see Larry!

Until then.

The pre-task workout

A small, determined group gathered for tonight’s fitness session at the bottom of Harley Grove.

Blessed with a quiet area and dry surfaces, we were able to crack on with some serious wall fitness, including our obligatory split squats; seated leg lowers and tricep dips, and some incline push-ups.

The task

At 8pm, we made our way around the corner to see Kieran, who runs the GET OUT charity, and catch up with some more GoodGymers.

Tonight’s task was to shift a mountain of large logs to the opposite side of this garden, in order to help start building a small wall of mushroom logs.

After a short briefing from Kieran about the GET OUT charity, we made our way around to the log pile and started shifting a variety of logs and tree stumps to the back wall of the garden. Working individually and in teams, the GoodGymers sped through the pile of logs, and it wasn’t long before Kieran was directing a new team of three to a new task, digging over a path.

Meanwhile, a further wood task was soon presented: over we headed to the skateboard ramp to help shift a lot of old timber over to the upcycling area.

Navigating uneven terrain and a few treacherous nails, the task was nonetheless soon accomplished with Ivo and Oliver stacking the final planks, tackling any rogue nails and sealing the area off.

Returning back to base (the garden’s small, well stocked shed), we removed head torches and gloves and debated the best spot for tonight’s final pic. Heading over to the small forest area, the team briefly sat down before heading off into the night, following another Monday night to remember.

A great night’s work.

Next week, we’re off to see Larry at a new task at the Royal Foundation of St Katharine!

Until then.

Small but mighty

A determined, committed crew headed in to Bow tonight for our final Big Monday Night Task of 2023.

Meeting at the bottom of Harley Grove, we wasted no time in starting the session with a few warm-up moves, a couple of stretches and a lap of the square.

Delighted that the rain had decided not to put in an appearance this evening, we decided to use the wall as our makeshift multi-gym, enjoying seated leg-lowers, dips, incline push-ups and split squats on this stable (dry) surface.

After a few final stretches - a nod to our hard work, our journey(s) to the task and a day at the desk - we wandered around the corner to meet Kieran, who was unloading the kit for tonight's task.

We reassured Kieran that we were a small but mighty bunch tonight, and to proceed with the plan.

Gardening galore for our final Monday night of 2023!

Making our way to one of the larger beds, we formed two teams and proceeded to clear out old plants, stakes, weeds and garden string, stacking stakes in the shed and weeds in the compost bays. This left the bed looking clear and pristine - ready for a new garden project for the Forest School in 2024.

With plenty of time to spare, we then headed around to the poly tunnel and assessed the planter area at the sides of the tunnels. Already partially-filled with leaves, this area was easily capable of taking some more leaves, which are essential for producing fertile ground.

Gathering a bucket each from the shed, we queued for the compost bay, ready to pile our vessels high with leaves, surprised at the number of damp twigs and branches which hampered our speed. As we approached 8pm, we became acutely aware time was ticking and there was still a good bit of depth required in those planters. Grabbing a fork, Kieran proceeded to shovel good-sized amount of the wet, branch-laden leaf pile into our buckets, accelerating the final layer of leaf compost.

And that, as they say, was a wrap.

Collecting all our equipment we made our way back to base (two sheds) to retire the gardening kit for the night and say cheerio to Kieran.

Small but mighty indeed.

(Taking a couple of weeks off ...

...but we return on January 8th, for a brilliant, wildflower bank clearing session in the beautiful Cemetery Park).

Until then.

A small, but productive fitness crew met at the end of Harley Grove for tonight’s session.

With soggy surfaces thanks to another drizzly November day, we focused tonight on balance (for a change), lower body strengthening and flexibility. It was nonetheless a useful session, and a fun one too, as we discussed the need for chocolate at this time of year.

Moving to the GET OUT garden, we were greeted by Frankie who talked us through tonight’s activities.

We promptly split into pairs and worked around the garden, moving large piles of branches and twigs, and raking leaves galore.

Bags were filled, compost bays stacked and lats worked.

It was the usual companionable evening, combining productivity and chatter.

It’s always a joy to see Frankie, who volunteers frequently at the garden with regular task owner Kieran, and who himself is a gardener extraordinaire.

After stacking the last rake (and admiring the straight rows of garlic, planted at our last visit) we proceeded to pose for one last picture before heading off into the night, excited for next week’s task.

A big shout-out to our committed, industrious team tonight, and especially to Fiona for tonight’s spectacular pun.

Who’d have thought it: another damp night for doing good.

Still, that didn’t deter tonight’s sturdy group of GoodGymers, all keen to head to Bow’s GET OUT garden to help Kieran and Frankie get some garlic into the ground.

But first, the fitness…

Helen, Martin and Rohan all joined tonight’s sweat squat at the bottom of Harley Grove. Confined largely to balance, standing abs and lower body moves (due to damp surfaces), the team proved truly robust when it came to rotating endless lunge and squat variations.

After a couple of laps of the square, we finished with a few final moves, said hello to John, and made our way around to the garden where tonight we were… planting garlic!

Why were we here?

Background to tonight’s visit

GET OUT is a local charity that ‘connects young people and children from disadvantaged areas to nature through surfing and related projects.’ The GET OUT garden in Bow is a community garden and food forest project that acts as a hub for both education and connecting the wider community to nature.

GoodGymers from both Newham and Tower Hamlets Areas visit once a month to assist task owners Kieran and Frankie with larger gardening tasks.

And so to the task...

Tonight we were helping to weed and distribute fresh soil and compost over a new planting bed, before planting three rows of garlic (garlic helps to fertilise soil, as well as being a useful, healthy cooking ingredient).

To start with, John, Johnny and Frankie headed to the polytunnel to fill wheelbarrows with compost, while Rohan, Vlad and Martin started on weeding and raking. Helen headed to the table area to separate many cloves from many garlic bulbs, while I took some pics and Kieran remained on project management.

It wasn’t long before the whole team was gathering for the planting finale, with Vlad and I tasked with positioning the tape to establish a straight line (the team decided unanimously that Vlad’s line was infinitely straighter than mine), with the rest of the team using dibbers to get those cloves 2.5 inches into the ground (no more no less).

We nearly did it by 8pm…Not quite, but not too bad going.

The drizzle didn’t let up, but neither did our spirits. Buoyed on by new gardening techniques and a bit of banter, it was another Monday night to cheer the soul.

Until next time.