An evening of firsts for GoodGym Cambridge.

Firstly, a new task, joining Coton Loves Pollinators at their pollinator patch allotment site.

We welcomed Izzy and John to their first GoodGym session 👋 (Spoiler alert: It was a great one!)

In another first for us, we met to cycle to the task. Surprising considering we live in the city of cycling! We enjoyed a beautiful route (including the new cycle street) out West of Cambridge through the countryside.

As we got into Coton, a fantastic personalised sign greeted us and led the way to the site. We met the brilliant Bridget who showed us down to the allotment to meet the rest of the group, who had already been busy getting the polytunnel frame up!

John and Izzy used their height advantage to help with the polytunnel cover. In just 20 minutes the polythene was on and held taught by Izzy's very satisfying wire work. Eventually, the tunnel will be covered in transparent photovoltaic panels, generating electricity from UV, whilst allowing visible light though to grow plants. Very clever ☀️

The rest of the group got started on planting in a new patch, extending the growing space. As we were breaking new ground, gadget expert Anna, let us use an earth auger to drill the holes for the plants. Naturally, we all wanted a go...the ease, the power! Sandra and Alice led the drilling and Ilse took the lead with planting. Going in were beans and sunflowers, a companion planting dream, with the sunflowers providing a growth surface for the bean vines and the beans fixing nitrogen in the soil for nutrition. Win,win. 🌻🫛

With yet another fun tool, Anna gave us a plant taping machine (definitely not a label maker) to attach the stems to the support pole for the early growth stages. Once we'd got the hang of it, it was another very satisfying job.

With 40 plants in the ground and the main polytunnel up, we paused to admire the beauty of the pollinator patch, and just when we thought the evening couldn't get any better, Bridget arrived with scones and tea! All homemade and warm from the oven, what a treat. We couldn't ask for better way to enjoy the end of a beautiful evening 💛

We were back at SIN Cru this week, making the most of the continuing sunny weather! ☀️

Scott, Becky, Catherine and I met at Parkside Pool for a 3.5km group run to the task, taking it easy in the heat and stopping for plenty of water breaks 💧

Waiting for us and admiring our arrival (I believe Baywatch was referenced!) were Ilse and Sandra, who had joined by bike. After some mandatory dog-petting, we got stuck in: Becky, Sandra cleared an impressive amount of weeds, Ilse and I tried our best to paint a very uneven surface with very hard rollers, Catherine FINALLY cleared the wood chippings bag, and Scott once again showed off his impressive sawing skills 🪚

After some final pets, we set off as a team and strolled a fair way back together, sharing Percy Pigs and discussing Paul Chuckle. Somewhat reluctantly, the 4 runners eventually set off again, distracting ourselves with restaurant chat and plant-based dining 🍽

Great work again, team! 🙌

We had a brilliant start to our Sunday sessions at Fox Den Community Allotment, welcoming Blessings and Sandra to their first GoodGym task 🙌

We were met by Lorna, who gave Sandra and Blessings the tour and history of the site, while I started some watering. Despite the heatwaves, the crops are looking very healthy with the courgettes, beans and tomatoes all boasting beautiful green leaves.

Our main job of the evening was to continue creating a woodchip path through the site and around (what will be) the pond area. I had not realised there are so many steps to laying woodchip! Growth had already been suppressed by large rubber sheets, and once we had removed these, we had to cover the area in cardboard (removing all sticky tape and staples). The cardboard then needed watering (I'm not sure anyone had that on their bingo card for the evening) before finally covering in a good layer of woodchip. Blessings and Sandra led the way prepping the cardboard and then Blessings and I got busy shovelling and wheel barrowing the woodchip across the site to Sandra who raked it into position. A very efficient GoodGym production line 💪 We took a much needed water break and enjoyed sitting in the peaceful surroundings, soaking up the evening sun before doing it all over again for a second layer!

The area was transformed. We admired the progress and had time for a quick photo before heading our separate ways. With just the right level of physical activity and plenty of time to chat, it was a beautiful way to round off the weekend. We look forward to returning later in the month. 🌿