Two GoodGymers turned up to set up the 118 Petersham Horticultural Show first time in Ham. We got stuck in lifting chairs, tables and putting up bunting for the 118 show on Saturday.

On one of the hottest days of the year, three determined GoodGymers – Emily, Isabella, and Jana – braved the heat to help tidy up the Staywell Garden in New Malden.

On arrival, we were welcomed by the manager Clair, who set us to work on a rather tangled mission: freeing the garden from the grip of bindweed. Armed with patience (and gardening gloves), we untwisted the clingy climber from anything and everything it had wrapped itself around. Once we’d done the delicate detangling, Clair’s friend gave us handy tips on bagging it up carefully – the plan being to treat the roots with weed killer the next day for a longer-lasting solution.

With the sun blazing above, we wisely sought refuge under the shade of the beautiful big oak tree, where we continued weeding and also gave the patio a good sweep and tidy. The whole team got stuck in and – incredibly – we completed the whole task in just two hours!

Shoutout to Emily, who joined us straight from a night shift – what a superstar! Meanwhile, Isabella kept us entertained with fascinating stories about shared living and her house-buying journey – garden chat at its finest.

To top it off, Clair kindly provided us with cold water, which felt like absolute gold on such a scorcher of a day.

All in all, a brilliant task with lovely company, leafy shade, and satisfying results. Bindweed: untangled. Patio: spotless. Spirits: high!

After the heatwave broke, it was time to get a second coat on!

Temperatures hadn't plumetted that much in reality but our task this evening was the complete the task we started three weeks ago: protecting the boathouse doors for the scouts. This evening we headed out to put the second coat of teak oil on.

Starting with a good stretch in the sunshine on Richmond Green, half the group started walking to the river while the other half did interval sprints around the green, getting six sprints in before jogging off to the riverside.

Armed with brushes and oil, the doors were soon looking well-fed and happy, giving us time to go and get well-watered at the busy pub next door before sunset!