First to arrive at the allotment was Andrew shortly followed by Jonathan and Sarah. Whilst they waited for Jack, they helped open the very heavy skip roof followed by the exciting news that there was food and biscuits to reward them after their mission was completed.

Moving down to the allotment, the task was to clear as much large plastic and general waste as possible from two adjacent allotments to the skip ready for new tenants to arrive. Items included broken plastic tables, pots and many plastic wrappers and broken wood.

As the task got away, Jack arrived to give a much wanted helping hand just as the sun shone at its brightest. The heat made for hard work and before we knew it, time was up and a busy and productive day.

Only a hot sunny morning, 2 GoodGymmer's helped to clear rubbish from overgrown allotments into a skip ready for removal. We were assisted by Judy and John.

There was a range of items found... a good home was made for an old bath tub! And a serviceable garden gate, was among the larger items saved from going to landfill. There was even a bit of time left to clear some more brambles.

Judy kindly provided refreshments to keep us hydrated and fed on such a hot morning. We also saw the progress that had been made with allotments previously cleared by GoodGym members, and met three people now happily growing produce on them.

A storming morning of sunshine today as we returned to Valpy Avenue allotments for another round of bramble clearing.

Releasing another plot for use from the grasp of Skynet’s brambles. A chainsaw was even used by one of the extra volunteers supporting GoodGym to get the hardest bits of bramble cleared.

Fun was had and ground was cleared. Afterwards everyone celebrated with a picnic featuring some refreshing watermelon slices! Task to be continued...

A decidedly sunny day, but with some seriously cold gusts, the GG team descended on Valpy Avenue Allotments to tackle some serious brambles. Armed with loppers and rakes the brambles did not stand a chance and we made some serious progress, making a previously overgrown plot habitable again for a lucky allotmenteer.

Afterwards refreshments were served which were very welcome to the team, some admiring a pond that was thriving with tadpoles. Hopefully another visit will occur in the future and more plots can be made ready for use.

On a drizzly Saturday morning six Goodgymers ran or cycled to help the local community Green Hearts group and the wonderful Common Lot gang at the Valpy Allotments.

These local groups are trying to transform a lot of the overgrown and tangled plots so they can be utilised.

We were set to work with rakes, wheelbarrow and loppers and in the space of an hour we had cleared brambles and helped organise the space. Getting our steps in whilst also running rubbish up to the skip.

Luckily the rain held off and as a reward we were treated to homemade ginger and rhubarb muffins in the beautiful Common Lot lodge and we also got to admire their lovely community garden.

Arriving on time, two goodgymers (Frankie and Jonathan) continued the work from the previous week to clear an abandoned allotment plot which had become overgrown with brambles. They were provided with an excellent array of tools and food by the Green Hearts Community of people to keep their energy up.

A fire was immediately started alongside the allotment to burn the cut brambles. A cute mouse was found scurrying through the allotment and shortly before this we caught a glimpse of spring sunshine which broke through the clouds to inspire everyone and lift people’s spirits.