Ten GoodGymers came to Peter's call when sadly about ten days ago, we received the news that Stompie the tank was taken away from Stompie Gardens for "renovations". This wasn't the only bombshell to drop as Peter explained to Sam that he was asked by the site owner to clear the site, which meant Stompie Gardens would no longer exist...Yet, where would all the plants that they have been planted over the years go?

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End of a chapter, a beginning of a new one

Community spirit is very much alive, especially within GoodGym. Earlier in the week, this task had four people signed up to the task, but come Saturday morning (a few hours before the task) we had booked out the session. Ten hardy GoodGymers including the likes of first-timers: Asad, Jae and Dave coming out for a great cause to save the Stompie plants! GoodGymers from all parts of London (Bromley, Tower Hamlets, Lambeth, Wandsworth and Southwark) descended on a small street corner in Southwark.

Peter and his crew had already done most of the hard work by digging out almost all the plants and keeping their roots intact. As we arrived the majority of the plants were bagged and put on makeshift trolleys and wheelbarrows. We all chose our weapons (trolleys or wheelbarrows) as we dragged and pushed the plants amongst them; banana and bay trees to their new home. Like a freight train, we travelled from Mandela Way across the busy New Kent/Old Kent road roundabout and into Tabard Street as we zig-zagged our way to Kipling Estates. We carefully unloaded the plants side-by-side against a wall in their new garden and headed back with empty trolleys as we had a second round to do.

Upon arriving at Stompie Garden most of the remaining plants had to be bagged up, but there were one or two stubborn plants that didn't want to move homes. Kaz had a talk (and dig) with that spiky fern and sorted it out. 🙃 Whilst Dave and Jae took on a tougher plant. The rest of the team had already loaded the second lot of plants onto the trolley and were heading back to Kipling Estate. This time, we knew the route and it was more efficient. There were one or two times a plant fell (I know, it's emotional for them too), but overall, all plants made it safely to their new breeding grounds. One resident was happy to see these new plants, but slightly unhappy to hear none of the plants were cannabis...you can't please them all! 😂

Finally, we headed back to Stompie Gardens to collect our belongings and say goodbye to Peter, his crew and Stompie Gardens. It's been a pleasure and we can only say - Tanks for the memories! 🙏

Wall of honour

• Big thanks to Dom and Girija for back marking the group tonight.
• High-fives to Joseph and Victoria for joining their first group run in Southwark.
• Pat on the back to Harry for tonight's pun!

Let's have a recap

Its Valentines this week, so what better way to celebrate than visiting a Rose garden. Last night 15 runners ran 8km overall to Stompie Gardens in Southwark. This community space has been looked after by the Tabard Growers community group and tonight was our second visit. It is also the home of a decommissioned tank, currently painted in post Xmas gold.

After welcoming Joseph and Victoria into the group, we set off at 7pm sharp setting a good pace on the way out. Avoiding the bikes on the Surrey Canal, with the temperature dropping we opted to keep moving. When we arrived Peter and Anna directed us to our task for the evening - weeding & spreading wood chip. They had a large pile of wood chip donated by the council from old trees, so Civ & George got to work filling up the wheel barrows and buckets. Another group cleared the weeds from the flower beds, and a chain was set up to shovel, carry and then spread the wood chip in the right place. A second group transformed the overgrown perimeter, pulling up the weeds and clearing any litter, while Abi & Dom got to work with some sheers cutting back the outside hedge.

FACT OF THE DAY The love legend of the red rose stemmed from traditional Roman and Greek mythology. Originally, they believed that the red rose was the flower of Aphrodite and Venus.

Keeping to a quick pace, in only 30 mins all the weeds were cleared, litter collected and wood chip generously spread! We even had time to climb the resident tank for a golden group photo! We thanked Peter and Anna for organising the task and arranging all the tools, before heading back in good speed with a short sprint to finish.

Next week we're running 8km in total to our friends at Galleywall Nature Reserve to help cut back some of the winter growth.

See you soon Team!

Wall of Honour

• Thanks to Dom for back marking and coming up with this weeks pun!
• Big Shout to Oliver for his first tourist visit to Southwark!
• Pat on the back to Manny, Nat & Kate for reaching 10 GOOD DEEDS this week!

Let’s have a Recap

Last night 14 runners ran 8km in total to the striking Stompie Gardens, to help the Tabard Growers in this community space that is home to a decommissioned Soviet Tank!

With the night being colder and a longer distance to run, we set off out the door promptly and hopped straight into our warm up. Once we got moving conversations were in full flow. We arrived in good time to meet Peter who had laid out gloves and bags for us, and directed us to the task of weeding and litter picking. Splitting into 2 teams we got stuck in clearing weeds all along the perimeter fence, and behind the huge tank sat in the middle off the garden! The ground was soft so the weeds were easily pulled out and in no time the garden had been cleared. Finishing off by picking up litter and placing all garden waste on a compost heap. There was even time for a bit of climbing aboard 'Stompie' for a creative group photo.

FUNNY FACT - Stompie the tank was bought as a gift by the land owner for his son. The tanks gun is apparently pointed towards the council buildings after a dispute between the land owner and the council who tried to get rid of it.

After a swift 30 minutes of work was complete, we said goodbye to Peter until we return to Tabard Gardens again next week. On the way back we upped the anti with some lampost strides, a game of knee tag and our weekly squat hold! With Nellyinstructing us that she couldn't stop moving! We kept the pace going all the way back to Old Spike.

Next week we will be running 10km overall as we return to Tabard Garden Allotments to assist the Tabard Growers with more digging and soil moving.

Great work Team! See you next week.