The return to Urban Green Up

Following on from last week we returned and once more double gloved we carried on where we left off last week - the nettles were very much depleted after last weeks task and we took on other tall unwanted plants uncovering more and more smaller plants and some flowers. Elaine, as always, was on hand for plant identification when we were unsure. Bags of litter were picked up and in amongst the plants lay a broken toy guitar an echo of last week's pun perhaps.

By the end of the task the site looked transformed by our two sessions - many hands make light work

And talking of light - Being near to November the 5th there were a lot of fireworks to be seen and heard but the bright sparks working at Urban Green Up were the best show of all. Some people stopped to find out about us gardening at night with torches. Its all in a Goodgymmer's Monday night of course.

Thank you Elaine for having us.

This evening was a first of a two part task.

We were faced with a forest of nettles that needed to be liberated to the weed pile in order that other plants could breathe and see the light. Even the path was obscured by them in some parts.

On the outskirts of the plot on the pavement was a significant amount of leaves which if left would have ended up a slippery mess in the next rainfall.

So we set to it with brushes loppers spades and all double gloved (thank you Elaine for the loan of marigolds to put under our gardening gloves).

The nights have drawn in and we worked under torch light - it feels a very warm feeling to see glows of lights and hear the chat of Goodgymmers we can brighten any dark night I reckon.

Jake was on form tonight coming up with tonights pun and managed to get another one in as he was sweeping the leaves up - saying 'Leaf me to it'. (And a huge well done for 40 tasks completed Jake)

We managed to clear the path and a significant about of nettles uncovering many smaller bushes and plants that will have the space and light to grow now and a ladybird!

We will be back for part 2 next week

It was a real team-effort on Saturday 14th Sept when Goodgym Liverpool and others joined forces to support The Choir With No Name.

Those familiar with Goodgym Liverpool may know our fantastic Area Activator Ema is also the Choir Manager for the Liverpool branch of The Choir With No Name. For the past several months she'd arranged a fundraising abseil, and an amazing 30 people had signed up to descend 150ft - free hang! - over the beautiful Anglican Cathedral West Door. Those 30 included 3 Liverpool Goodgymmers - Ellie, Heetu & Lucian, who very bravely took the plunge to raise money for the CWNN, a choir which helps those impacted by homelessness and marginalisation.

5 other goodgymmers - Liam, Sian, Pauline, Sally Ann & Bekah - also came along to volunteer on the day, helping with everything from registration, giving out goody bags, taking photos and corralling the abseilers to keep things running to schedule.

It was a fantastic event, with the choir performing live as the abseilers - or danglers, as the MC called them - descended, and the 30 brave danglers raised a phenomenal over £13,000 between them!

It was a real team effort with another Wirral based choir and a local ukulele band stopping by so the CWNN could take a quick break from entertaining the masses, and all abseilers were greeted with a little cake when their feet touched down, presented to them by a choir member.

Massive well done to Ellie, Heetu & Lucian, and shout out to Ema for organising the Goodgym volunteers whilst managing the choir AND the abseilers AND keeping the event running smoothly! The whole event had a fantastic atmosphere and raised a huge amount for an amazing cause. A round of applause to everyone involved.

Things that make Monday nights one of the best nights of the week..... in no particular order: 1. The opportunity to be outside -tonight felt like we are on the verge of autumn a warmish start leading into a cooler finish with the light starting to fade

1. The opportunity to feel part of the city - tonight we headed to Everton Community Garden an inspiring oasis of fruit veg and flowers all tended by the local community led skilfully by John who is always so welcoming to us.
   

2. The opportunity to give a little back to the amazing initiatives across the city - tonight we were tasked with removing the rotting wooden frames of two raised beds whilst trying to not disturb the actual raised beds.

3. The opportunity to learn new skills. John is always supportive and willing to share his knowledge and expertise and tonight was no exception. we needed to use various techniques and tools as whilst some of the wooden sleepers were rotten through other ones were still strong and gives with bolts and screws which all had to be negotiated.

4. The opportunity for a physics lesson may arise at any point - at one particularly difficult to remove section of wood Pauline called out.. we need a fulcrum and then said 'Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it and I shall move the world' and then mentioned Archie someone...well i could not find an Archie signed up for this task . However with a lesson in fulcrums Pauline managed to remove the stubborn wood which had us all clapping and cheering. Physics lessons never felt this much fun before.

5. The opportunity to work together - its the start of the new school year a busy time for teachers and parents and its also the season for various lurgies. so tonight we were a small team of four but we achieved the task working together.

6. The opportunity to be welcomed into the community space and group tonight it was so lovely to be back with John and greeted by Barton who we all love (John's chocokate labrador that we all assured John we were happy to have around). We were able to see some of the fruits of our previous labours and talking of fruits John insisted that we all picked a bag of tomatoes to take home... they are absolutely delicious. we finished the evening by being invited to the open evening social at the end of the month.

7. The opportunity to spend the evening with a group of people that are just .... well fab.