A large group of Goodgymers and a professional photographer met at the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park on Monday evening. Our task was to help Ken remove Goosegrass from an area of the cemetery. This annual plant is a fast-growing weed that can strangle other plants and prevent important species from growing. We set about in a methodical way to tackle this sticky plant, moving along in a line from one small area to the next. We pulled and raked out masses of it, braving nettles and graves in the process.

We definitely enjoyed the extra daylight, watching the sky change colour above our heads. It was a fun and social task (as always!) and it was good to see how much goosegrass we cleared and know this will make a big difference to the health of the plants and park this summer.

Huge welcome to first time Goodgymers Chloe and Jack P and also to Jack F for his first group task! It was great to have you all and hope to see you again soon. Also shout out to Kareem who celebrated his birthday with us in the Cemetery Park!

Mrs J and her husband have mobility issues that make tending their garden difficult. It had become overgrown, with one obnoxious weed sprouting out of the wall, blocking the afternoon sun, and another engulfing the dividing fence.

Secateurs and green bin bags provided, I got stuck in chopping away at the tangled vines around the fence. Fuelled by a well made cup of tea I clambered on, until the bush was no more than just a stump.

After giving the adjacent rose bush a slight trim, I turned my attention to the irritating weed poking high out of the south facing wall that was blocking out the Hackney sun. Using a lopper from the shed, I stretched myself out to maximum extension and just about managed to chop down the guilty branches.

Now close to the end of the session, I chopped, snapped and twisted the various cuttings and filled them into a number of bin bags. Leaving them lined up for when collection could be organised.

Mrs J and her husband both seemed very pleased with the work, and will hopefully now be able to enjoy a bit more sun in their garden