People arrived in dribs and drabs, all discipline having disappeared from the group, for some reason… But we all put in a good shift, until well after our allotted finish time

Lazar – a Tower Hamlets first-timer – came all the way from Serbia (been there!), via Hackney, where he now lives. Three of us were fresh (or not so fresh) from taking on the Big Half, where another two of tonight’s attendees had been cheering us hoarse from a balcony, to little or no response

Rohan, Lazar and myself set to work shaping a bush, though we resisted any urge to topiary, we just made it look a lot tidier. Ivo got mulching with large bits of cardboard, while Tom mixed paint. Anna and Lobo, from Southern Europe (been there!) via Wapping, roughened up a bench, making it look worse, before turning it into something beautiful with gleaming green paint

Lucinda and Ilana took on all sorts of tasks; they swept cigarette ends and rubbish from the floor into the huge bins, then made a big hole in some earth into which they planted a many-rooted bush. This relieved the frustration on a day when cycling to work proved stressful, with rather a lot of bikes on London’s roads (been there!)

I went with Tom to cover some nearby graffiti, a more artistic task than it sounds, as each brick was to be painted a different shade. Reinforcements – most of the rest of the team – came to help with a hugely satisfying job

Eventually, it was way past eight o’clock and time to return to the estate via a zebra crossing, Anna fulfilling a lifelong ambition to become a lollipop lady. All she needs is a big lollipop - I’d only brought gloves, this time

Meanwhile, oblivious to all this, Ilana and Lucinda were cutting back rose bushes, while trying to avoid falling into those huge bins. Thinking we’d sneaked off home and left them all alone, they already had their bike lights on, when we all appeared from round the corner, said “surprise surprise!” and joined them for the group photo

Join us for more fun next week at Ocean Youth Connexions https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-big-monday-night-task-september-visit-to-ocean-youth-connexions

Later in the month, we’re returning to the Coburn for their Sunday night quiz https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/quiz-night-at-the-coburn

and in October, it’s our last organised walk of the year: from Dover to Folkestone https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/walk-from-dover-to-folkestone

See you soon!

9 GoodGymers made their way to the Parkview Estate on Old Ford Road for an evening of well-organised, hands-on estate gardening.

We were warmly welcomed by Des, a long-time resident who knows the area like the back of his hand.

Des had already mapped out a neat list of jobs, and after a quick intro, we split into teams and got cracking.

The first group headed to the front of the community centre, where pruning shears, loppers and wheelbarrows were quickly put to use.

Shrubs were trimmed, mulch distributed, and before long this small garden area looked more purposeful and less overgrown.

Meanwhile, a determined team of four made a beeline for the green bench in the play area (no ordinary bench - reportedly the pride of the garden). A fresh coat of paint went on smoothly in the evening sun, genuinely giving the bench a new lease of life.

The third team headed closer to the road, where buddleia had taken over and graffiti had accumulated on the community notice board. Trimming the plants back and slowly prising stubborn spray paint made an immediate difference – no dramatic transformation, but the kind that makes things a bit nicer.

As the pruning task wrapped up, John and Leanne shifted roles and headed around the corner, taking on some hoarding opposite Victoria Park. Armed with rollers and steady hands, they covered a surprisingly large section before we had to call time.

As we left Des was still going strong with a paintbrush in hand.

A very satisfying evening indeed: a nice example of those physical tasks with a visible result.

Well done to everyone who came – and thanks to Des for leading the way with thoughtful planning and good humour.

Next week it’s back to Limehouse to see Kamal at the Tower Hamlets Community Transport hub.

Until then.

It might have been a Bank Holiday, but it was still a Monday, so GoodGym Tower Hamlets were in action, albeit rather earlier in the day than usual.

We returned again to the gardens around Glasshouse Community Centre, where as usual Catherine had lots for us to do, ably assisted by her ever-keen son Liam.

Long-term GoodGymers Eilidh, Heather, Johnny and John were joined by relative newcomers Vlad, Lobo, Grit, Oliver (doing his second Good Deed and he’s already tried two areas!) and Isobel, on her first ever task before cycling down to Blackheath. Welcome Isobel!

Johnny worked hard even though he was still recovering from a five-hour Tough Mudder which his family had "kindly" bought him as a present.

Several tasks were undertaken. Nearly a hundred geranium, verbana and tomato plants were potted, weeds were removed from flowerbeds and new vegetation introduced, while wheelbarrows of soil were wheeled around the estate before depositing their load onto the beds.

Meanwhile we also trimmed the flower baskets on the glasshouse itself, which used to be looked after by a resident who’s now left the estate. And we saved the life of a huge worm!

We were away before lunchtime, but we’ll be back soon to help with much-needed summer watering, Watch this space!

The Parkview Estate is a large estate sitting on the border of Victoria Park, the resident's association is preparing to hold a Free Plant Giveaway on July 10th!

I helped Catherine with hand planting strawberry seedlings from a tray into bigger pots to be given away. Liam, and other members of the TRA planted out petunias and geraniums.

The estate is home to a lot of busy families and many elderly residents, who will appreciate a free plant next week!

Heather, Sara, Asad and Emma were joined by Catherine and Liam, GoodGym’s youngest member (at 9 1/4 years old), for an hour and a half.

It’s been rather hot and dry recently which meant lots of thirsty plants that needed tending to.

Many buckets and watering cans were wheeled all over the estate to take care of the young trees , flowers and vegetables.

Many, many questions were asked by Liam and answered spectacularly well by all. Asad also introduced the concept of evil wizardry, spell casting and potion-making in the form of HarryPotter’s arch nemesis Lord Voldemort.

Emma, Áine and Simon met with local volunteer Kelsey to deliver this issue of the Park View and Cranbrook Estates Climate Action Newsletter.

We thundered up and down the various tower blocks with newsletters and leaflets advertising an upcoming event.

It was a sunny day and we all enjoyed delicious lunch at the Refuel cafe afterwards to chat about life 😎.

Well done team!