Part 3 at Southwell Rd Community Garden saw 7 Goodgymers tackle a very large area of ground to be dug started at Part 1 and 2. With more people this time we always new we’d get more done. Fraser, Robert, Mark and Stephen started on the biggest area turning over the soil whilst Elizabeth, Jen and Steve tackled the herb bed, separating the herbs and flowers to be re planted into the area cleared by the others. We had help from 2 of the local residents (one with 2 lovely children) which was good to see. Our herb bed had LOADS of snails, we were very careful not to damage them, and were able to re house them. An hours hard work paid off and soon it was time to pack up and go. We left Fraser finishing off watering the re planted beds with the help of the children.

Tonight we helped to create a wildflower meadow for residents group at Southwell Road. We did a lot of digging. Steven went for a jog halfway through and I had a delicious 🍺 at the Trafford Arms afterwards. Emma and Andrea did most of the work and we met a lot of nice residents as well.

Mark and Stephen arrived on time, Robert and Elizabeth took a little longer, we were slightly lost on Southwell Road but fortunately WhatsApp group chat came into its own and Mark appeared at the flats entrance to guide us in. Pam (also our contact at Somerlyton Gardens) explained our task, digging over and weeding a large flower bed, our favourite job at the moment. Once again the weather was on our side, sunny pleasant evening. The soil was soft after the downpours we’ve had today which was a big help, but it was still hard work. Pam was telling us that she’s responsible for a large number of community gardens, I don’t know how she does it. Glad she does, those Community Gardens are lovely around the City. And Goodgymers love gardening! The hour went very quickly , we managed to mark out the main area (see before and after photo) of weeds, put the debris in a pile, said goodbye to Pam who will ask for another task very soon.

With the Norwich City Council releasing new restrictions on activity on their land, this mission was affected, meaning only 6 people could attend, including the task co-ordinators, of which there were 2 so only 4 Goodgymers could take part in this task, with a few kindly dropping out to allow those to take part.

There was some confusion finding the task location, with Jonathan and Fufu waiting on the main road, however Penny (who cycled in) had arrived earlier and was able to show us the way.

Pam described the task to us which was to dig up the top layer of turf from the outside garden and turn it around, in preparation for a wild flower garden. We were asked however to leave a small area where a dog had been buried out of respect for the dog’s owner. To make the task achievable, Pam marked out an area with a piece of string so we concentrated on that area.

The allotted time of one hour went very quickly, with Pam extremely surprised and pleased with what we had achieved in the time! We did go 15 minutes over to make sure it looked presentable with us all feeling the fatigue of the heavy work. Lots of muscles used in this task!

Pam took a quick group photo and excitedly invited us back in a month to continue the task.