Having spent his afternoon typing our bumper pack email of Goodgym news, Ivo strode out to lead the GG TH weekly run, from the Town Hall Hotel. There he scooped up a trio of gentle joggers. Praise is due to Lucinda and Fiona who got their trainers on in time to join Dan, making a group of three eager runners, which saw our pre-task running club double in size! Will you be there to join the next Monday run? It is the the fittest and funnest way to arrive at task...

With the rest of the GG TH crew arriving separately at Columbia Road Gardens (much less fit, much less fun), it was over to Ed to kick-off with an introduction to the evening's community mission activity: weeding. As a local resident and leading gardener of the Columbia Road Tenants and Residents Association, Ed has the nous and the kit to ensure we weed well. And weed well we really weedly did 😀.

Divided into two, half the team set to weeding the "race-track" area, so called because of the twisting path that weaves through it, rather than any high-speed racing from the cars parked nearby. The energy was much more shuffle and stoop than the typical Formula One race, thankfully. Time to slow down, even stop, perhaps, and weed your way to better wellbeing.

The team firstly discussed what plant-life classified as a weed in this setting. The term can be a confusing and troubling one, as it is such an amorphous category, determined by both personal interpretation and the specific context. Much like most things then, really.

So, with the evening's weed category formally classified, hand-held trowels and forks were passed around and some grass was pulled up, as were some nettles. Kevin's sharp horticultural eye spotted some clove and wild garlic in the undergrowth, finds that brought on Kat's growing hunger, stimulated by such a fine choice of edible leaves in each and every direction.

Hunger games aside, Kat was most committed to the task when protecting the delicate ladybirds seen roundabout. A common favourite from the insect family, despite urban myth stating quite clearly how red and black can be a mark of some sort of nature danger? And besides, a brave and bold colour pattern combo for even the most frightfully well-dressed of ladies, or birds.

The unearthed weeds soon began to pile up in semi-ordered clumps, ready for collection (proudly displayed in a big, yellow bucket by Emma), with Kareem responsible for lots of the lugging required to get the contents added to the compost heap tucked inside the orchard, where the other GG team had been weeding.

Before delving into the detail of their endeavours, a brief pause for some broader, more philosophical reflection on the topic of weeds. Thank you, Asad, for making the interesting point that the word weed, often used to ridicule somebody's lack of strength, belies the stark truth of the matter: the roots of the weeds encounterd here, just like weed roots we have all known and loved, were resolute in their resistance to any tug or pull, buried deeply and firmly beneath the surface of the soil.

Thus, to be called a weed really signals quite a belligerent force to be reckoned with, does it not?

So, into the weedy orchard arena stepped the remaining GG TH gardener volunteers. Flicking away a few spots of rain, the team braced themselves for a weedly tough challenge: removing the unwanted plant-life creeping around the fruit tree trunks.

Chloe was quick to track down and prize out unwanted dandelions and Anna ensured that little strawberry plants remained firmly set in the soil, should any have been mistakenly taken out, perhaps. Once patted and pressed back into place, high hopes remain for those soft red treats, the perfect complement to a slurp of cream, savoured whilst sat snuggly on a (well-weeded) garden lawn, come the height of Summer.

Jack lifted our minds up from simple weeding work through contemplation of plant providence and the journeys plant species have made to their current home, over the course of time. Did you know: the potato, celebrated carbohydrate of many European countries, was only discovered through the Spanish invasion of Colombia and was first used as cattle feed when it was brought back in about 1600? Not quite a weed, but not the staple food and culinary joy we proclaim now with our chips, mash and baked spuds. A helpful historical reminder, from our GG TH mathematician, how a plant's place in a garden can change according to context and point of view. Orchard anthropology indeed.

Back in east London, Dan was reassured to see how Tom struggled as much as he had, cracking through the dry, hardened ground with the strained prongs of a large fork, trying to release the deep roots of several tall dock plants.

A much smoother ride for the wheelbarrow deliveries of mulch shuttled across by Lobo, and then also by Tom, Chloe, Jack and Dan, delivering a replenishment of bark mulch to secure the reclaimed space now preserved for the trees and not to be taken up by the weeds. For long.

Ed had explained during mission briefing, how high plants and grasses could impinge on air and light for the tree, whilst also risk losing the clear sight lines much needed by overzealous lawnmowers.

Fiona combined her friendly paparazzi role, with gentle encouragement for everybody to wind up their last weeding activity, wheel away the final loads of organic weed waste, and simply wish each other a weedy wonderful week and weedy wonderful long weekend ahead.

The session concluded thus. Ed's tools were all collected in and stowed safely in a garden store along the way towards Shoreditch. Thank you, Ed, for the calm and careful way you guided our weeding ways, for the clearer space and air it shared with every plant and Goodgym volunteer lucky enough to have been there.

And, finally, can you see the rainbow shard, best in show at this week's alternative Columbia Road Flower display (check out lucky picture 13 of the photo reel)? Well, of course you do, and others will now, too, because there's not a weed to be seen on their patch of Tower Hamlets orchard.

No "weeds" to stop their growth, nor block an admirer's view. Stunning, strong and glossy, deep red stalks, with their flourish of curly leaves of dark green. Mighty flashy & fine ♥️ .

We were back at Hollybush Estate on Monday night, joining Margaret and Ash to shift the mulch we laid down several months ago, now rotted and ready to nourish a fresh round of bedding plants.

We were also joined by Michael from the Hollybush team, who came armed with a surprise for later in the evening. And a big welcome to @Dan Baker, newly arrived from Liverpool but already well at home with GoodGym thanks to his TaskForce experience. Thanks for the extra pair of hands, Dan! We also had a furry visitor, Missy the Beagle brought by Emma, perfect for the role of GoodGym mascot I must say!

With so many willing volunteers, the mulch was swiftly cleared and replaced with fresh material, leaving us plenty of time for the real highlight of the night: celebrating Margaret’s 70th birthday. Sparklers were lit and a caterpillar cake (expertly sourced by Lucinda) presented.

Margaret has been a constant, warm presence at Hollybush Estate for years. Anyone who’s volunteered here will know her trademark “How are you, darling?” and her tireless commitment to the gardens and community. GoodGym Tower Hamlets and Hollybush itself wouldn’t be the same without her.

We spent the whole session with the goats today!

We mucked out their stalls, cleared up the poo, and laid down fresh hay to make their home clean and cozy again. We also did a few trips to the 'poo palace'. After the chores, we enjoyed hanging out with them in their area— they were as curious and playful as ever.

We were lucky with the weather too — rain only showed up right at the end and didn’t last long. A full, fun, and rewarding day!

Before the task, early arrivers indulged in a spot of bat watching and we were introduced to the bat detector!

At 7pm, we gathered around as Ken took us through the ABCs of bulb planting. Then we were on our way across the park with our trowels and head torches. We dug deep (to save the bulbs from the squirrels!) and planted 200 bulbs between us around the park. Looking forward to spring to see our handy work bloom and the park come alive with tulips and crocuses!

Shout out to our newest members of the group Beth and Ryan. See you all again soon!