The Edgy Collective reached out for help stewarding their wassail and procession and three Goodgymmers stepped up, 'apple' to help. The wassail started at Castlehaven Community Association with a gathering of organisers, locals and an amazing side of Morris dancers, the New Esperance Morris. After some hot mulled apple juice, and some lovely vegan gingerbread biscuits baked by Daniella, our host, we moved to the nearby mulberry tree to start the procession.

The tree was hung with cider-soaked toast and ribbons representing the community's messages of hope. We banged pots, ululated and hollered to banish evil spirits, wake the trees and summon forth fruit and good health for the year. Then we set off to the centre of Camden High Street, where the Council has created an experimental, car-free zone. The Edgy Collective's lovely installation, subSTRATUM, sits in the middle of the street outside Box Park, with metal planters full of shrubs and flowers, benches and a stage area for community events.

The Morris dancers then got dancer, with a piper and violinist and a giant pigeon! Camden's high street was FULL, like, FULL, and everyone seemed to be utterly amazed by the joyous, wholesome and weird sight. There were quite a few pigeon selfies too. It was Cherian's first ever experience of this unique tradition and, well, she was speechless! Ariane has been to quite a few, and merrily sang along with the wassail songs.

After the festivities were done, we processed back to Castlehaven, drank more apple juice and mulled cider, cheered and departed. Ariane went off to Regents Park for a run, Cherian went home and I stuck around to help pack down. All round, a wonderful community event, with wonderful people. Wassail!

Emily, Alice, David and Cherion were joined by new Goodgymers Hannah and Gary (welcome)!

Tasks for the morning included moving tables up to the top field, putting up marquees, carrying manure bags, and cleaning tables, ahead of the Apple Day tomorrow. Cleaning the tables was tougher than expected - we even used kitchen implements to scrape off the dirt (thanks to Gary's ingenuity).

Miriam was so pleased with our help she invited us back to set up the Christmas fair in December.

11 GoodGymers planted hundreds of bulbs ready for spring!

Amidst blustery gusts – in a beautifully autumnal Waterlow Park – a very friendly group gathered to weather the wind.

Four folk were on their very first GoodGym outing: a big welcome to Ellie, Ella, Helen, and Stewart! And they were joined by a wonderful troupe: Cherian, DaMarcus (on their first GG Camden visit — welcome!), Imogen, Lydia, and Victoria ☺️

Following a swift introduction and tutorial by expert gardener April, we settled onto hands and knees and kicked off 60 minutes of planting. Snowdrops, crocuses, anemones, and more, this busy group sewed hundreds of gorgeous bulbs.

I can't wait to walk by next year and see everything spring to life ❤️

Thank you, everyone! You made a huge difference yesterday!

I walked from Borehamwood to Friary Park along the beautiful Dollis Valley Green Walk. First good deed of the day done; one dog walked and thoroughly happy. We finally reached Friary Park at 11:30 to find Cherian and a whole flock of locals and Thames 21 ers hard at work. As Cherian had been there since kick-off we agreed I'd take on the heavy burden of wordsmith, and write up the report. We planted a whole variety of water-loving plants along the slope of a freshly prepared set of miniature lakes. Digging through soft soil here, dry stoney ground there and painstakingingly peeling away flakes of hardened clay in yet another spot, we prepared holes deep enough for the roots and bedded the young plants in place. The weather was perfect - cool and sunny whilst we worked, then rain to water in the fresh flora. After a little chance the catch up over spades and dirt, Cherian and I headed home, in my case with a very wet and tired first time paricipant of good dog Barnet.