Having survived a painful fall off my bike on Saturday evening, then an alcohol-fuelled night out until 4 in the morning, I managed to stagger over to Stepney to meet GoodGym Gilda and other helpers at the regular Stepney City Farm volunteering session. Our task was to weed between allotment plots belonging to locals, making sure to remove nettles, sticky weeds and bindweed, while retaining strawberry plants and attractive flowers. We were instructed not to touch the plots themselves, apart from one which had clearly not been attended to for some time. The nettles were protuding across to public pathways and needed to be removed to prevent visiting children getting a nasty sting. As a bonus, we happened to meet GG Tower Hamlets legend Tracey, taking her grandchild and friend of GoodGym Mali to see the pigs and goats. Congratulations on reaching 200 good deeds Tracey!

Tower Hamlets GoodGym visited Stepney City Farm for the second time in three days. Today, in bright sunlight, we joined other keen helpers for the latest in the farm's volunteering events,

Heather and John swept up leaves and straw, while Gemma and Nina moved a mountain of compost, armed only with very sharp forks. Gemma was in some pain after hearing that West Ham United were losing to Kidderminster Harriers.

Afterwards, we went on a tour of the farm, which now includes two body-crawling ferrets.

Four hardy, hearty GoodGymers met at Stepney City Farm to sport the most eye-catching hi-viz knitted beanies and get to work shifting a sea of woodchip.

Sree, Joel and Emma were delighted to welcome Asad - who gets bonus points for this puntastic title - to his first GoodGym night task.

Thanks to Clare for showing us the ropes and to Everyone for chipping in and taking part this evening.

Heather joined Stepney City Farm volunteer Nikita to help distribute mulch over the planting beds on Saturday afternoon. After quickly completing this task, there was time to feed the animals, starting with the rabbits (a favourite farm creature of both volunteers), and then taking the pigs their dinner just before dark. It was great to learn a lot about the history and running of the farm. There will be regular volunteer days running over the next few months.

GoodGymers along with other volunteers met in the Stepney City Farm office for refreshments, ice breakers and a briefing of the next 3 hours ahead. We were then given a comprehensive tour of the premises before beginning our first and main task clearing leaves from the paths - whilst trying not to obstruct the visitors. (The Farm had a Farmers market, restaurant and classes going on – so it was a hive of activity whilst we were there). Once we completed our initial task - we had another short break before collecting rosehips (for making jam, tea etc.), and feeding pigs and rabbits. (I was given the chance to hold one of the cute rabbits – a true delight!) All in all, it was an enjoyable and rare opportunity to understand the workings of a City Farm through a variety of volunteering activities – which meant we never got bored during our 3 hours there.

There will be another volunteering session next Saturday*. Please see details here:

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/stepney-city-farm-joining-the-farm-s-volunteering-days-e136243e-178a-4f05-b9ca-33486dded742

*Please note the expectation is that you will be there from 1-4pm – so please do not sign up unless you can commit to the full 3 hours).

The big pond at Stepney City Farm is looking fantastic, not least because of all the work GoodGym Tower Hamlets have put in, to set up and secure the banks over many months. Already it is home to various species. We have from time to time used the farm's Saturday market after a task, so it was good to hear that the market is to move into the more attractive setting next to the water area.

For this to happen, we needed to shift a lot of temporary fencing out of the way. Six GoodGymers were signed up for the task, but two had to drop out the previous day and another two were unable to make it for the 17:30 start. Work does get in the way of life, doesn't it.

Never mind, Sree eventually joined me and we set to work moving the fences round the pig pen to stack them safely in a corner, negotiating a tight corner and a low hanging tree branch on the way. Our arrival sent the pigs into raptures of wild excitement, which soon decreased when they realised we had nothing tasty for them to chew on.

Task owners Claire and Siobhan lent a hand or four, and we soon had the job done. We didn't have the time or numbers to do any shovelling, but we'll be back again, hopefully with more hands on deck.