Today we ran to to one of our furthest task over in Thornton Heath, Unique Roots to help Pam on the allotment. She had a variety of task for us to complete so when she saw the size of the group she was so excited. We have done many task at the allotment in the winter months prior to the pandemic so it was good to be there today to see the fruits of our labour. The raised beds we helped to erect, had vegetables and plants growing in them. There was also a new addition to the space, that had Pam beaming with excitement. She had a new polytunnel installed. Inside the polytunnel there were a few seed pots that had been planted by one of the groups Pam works with, their seeds had grown and was ready to be transplanted, however that wasn't why we were there.

Tasks

• cut back the branches from the tress that were over hanging in the entrance to the allotment
• build some raised beds in the polytunnel
• reap the vegetables that were ready to be picked.
• water the vegetables
• transfer the compost to the raised beds
• refill the compost area with the leaves from the tree we had cut

The group broke up into smaller groups and focus on the different tasks that was available Sarah, Ros, Nicola and Ingrid were the first to finish the tasks they had chosen (building the raised beds in the polytunnel) so they helped on the other tasks. Yasser and Callum were busy taking turns in sawing off the overhanging branches from the trees once they had cut off a branch they brought it to the side of the polytunnel where Sarah broke of the small branches and leaves creating two piles one for the small parts for the compost area and another with the bigger branches all sawed and ready to be packed away for bonfire night. While she was busily breaking up the branches Callum brought in some more branches that they had cut from the trees and before she knew it she was fenced in.

Ian and Sam worked on emptying the compost bin and when they finished Ian joined in with transporting the leaves to the compost bin, while Sam joined Nicola and Ros with watering the vegetables, while Ingrid helped to pick the tomatoes. While some where finishing up the last bits of the task Pam, was telling Sarah and Callum about some of her plans for the space and the various groups she works with.

Before we left Pam reminded us that she would see us next week at another of her sites and thanked us for a job well done. On our way out of the allotment we noticed a sunflower plant with 10 flowers we stopped and admired it before heading out the gates for our return run.

Today as we ran along the front of Fairfield Halls we were joined by three members of the public who jogged at the back of the group cheering us on as we made our way to Park Hill, it was nice listening to them clapping and shouting words of encouragement, sadly we were not able to take them with us to the park but at least we helped them raise their heart rate for at least 45 seconds.

We started off from solutions with 8 members however, due to work commitments and injury three members of the group met us at the task taking the group up to 11 members.

Josi and Catherine had our tasks planned in advance of our arrival, unfortunately Jeremy the Stag had been vandalised so one of the task was to repaint Jeremy to cover up the graffiti so that he would be ready for the children's story time tomorrow, up stepped Sarah, Kate and Yasser, look at the pictures to see the before and after they did a great job of covering up the graffiti story time will be going ahead as planned.

The next task was litter picking no surprise the first volunteer to step forward, Ingrid, still wearing that crown of queen litter picker was all smiles as she was handed Josi's personal litter picker and off the went around the park gather bits of litter. As great a litter picker she was we knew she would be able to cover the entire park in the time we had so we had three more members of the group (Nicola, Magda and Ros) assisting her.

Sam was given a broom, but did not ride it or whistle, however she was tasked with sweeping up some of the pine leaves that had fallen from pine tree, I have never seen anyone sweep an area covered in pine leaves so clean before, we we left in awe, lets hope the trees behave themselves tonight and does not shed anymore leaves undoing the wonderful work of Sam.

What about Ollie and Hannah?

Ollie and Hannah volunteered to cut back an overgrown area in the walled garden in preparation for the digger arrival tomorrow to dig over the soil. They made a huge inroad into clearing the area however after the others had finished their tasks they joined in.

Before we knew it our time was up, Josi and Catherine thank us for the work we had done and we took some photos by Jeremy the Stag after admiring the work of Sarah, Kate and Yasser.

Next weeks adventure will be with Pam at unique roots why not join us?

Yesterday was our second week back sine the return of group runs we welcomed Samantha and Yasser who joined us for their first of many group runs. Yasser was volunteering was volunteering as a community member at a task we were previously at and was fascinated with our ethos and decided to join our band of merry volunteers.

Before mentioning the next new/ stolen member, I need to say a big thanks to Ana, over in GG Wandsworth for providing another member for the Croydon group it just goes to show how welcoming our GG community is that the first thing members do when relocating is to check for the local GG group. Callum welcome to your new area and we hope we will be able to give you more of the shame hospitality you mentioned that you received in Wandsworth and look forward to see you rack up the miles and deeds for us over in Croydon.

We also welcome Darryl visiting us from Greenwich, to get his weekly GG group run fix as there was no group runs in his home area and the other two neighbouring areas he ventured even further a field to Croydon so as not to miss out.

It was also good to see the regulars who have been waiting patiently for the return of group runs and listed to them being all excited to be back doing regular group activities, they were like children in a candy shop. You had to be there to realise how excited they were and the buzz that was going around in the group.

Our task was one of our longer runs, we went to Valley Park to help Pam tidy the raised beds weed, prune and plant a few flowers. The mood in the group was buzzing, Pam's ever so lovely vibes flow throughout every conversation being had. The group worked really hard and the talk of birthdays and parties, socials had everyone excited to be back. Before we knew it our time at the task had come to an end and the 2.5km run back to solutions was becoming a reality.

As I was still suffering from the effects of Endure24 I decided against a fitness session, however on the run back I noticed some members of the group had a lot of energy left in the tank so we did some running drills along the way and some out and back. I noticed that some members had used up their extra energy and reverted back to a gentle jog but at least two members still had a lot more in the tank, know the route we would be taking back and the last little incline I suggested some sprints with a cheeky little smile, by the time we got to the hill all the group had worked up a sweat and was back to a gentle jog. I had manage to get those with a little extra in the tank to burn it off. :-)

Next week we will be doing a new task over in West Croydon the run will be shorter but there is another challenge, we have approximately 70 bags of soil to move and if time permits spread into raised beds. Will we manage to move all the soil and spread some? Why not sign up and see if we pull it off!

Special Mention

Congratulations to Kate, Ros, Ollie, Paul and Andy on their performances at Endure24**