It was a scorcher of a morning as Vix, Chris and JP joined Sharon and the merry band of Friends of Ham Lands for some light work on an area of brambles choking the progress of a rose bush.

We grabbed loppers and set to work on the brambles, dragging the chopped tendrils out to be chopped up and bagged. They put up quite a fight, managing to scratch us with their thorns (it being too warm for long sleeves and two of us wearing shorts), leading to a chorus of yelps to accompany our work.

Despite our legs and forearms showing numerous signs of the battle it was a very satisfying task and when Sharon called time for teas and coffees we were proud of what we had achieved. So much so that we decided to reward ourselves with a coffee at the Swiss bakery and a natter before heading off for the rest of our sunny Saturday.

Next time on the Ham Lands will be Saturday 10th May - sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/goodgym-richmond-helping-the-happy-ham-landers

Hats off to run leader/group activator Liz and stalwart GoodGymers Victoria, Chris, Monika, JP, Ken and Anita who all braved a cold and wet February Monday night to complete an awesome array of tasks that will help GoodGym Richmond's sponsored plots in Buccleuch Gardens look fabulous come the spring:

Leaves on the Line: The grooves of the sliding shutters were deep-cleaned, with all the autumn leaf-mould brushed out to allow clean running.

Turn Again: The compost heap was turned and twigs and bulky items chopped-up to aid decomposition.

Arcadia: The Arcade was swept, cleaned and given a mini-makeover .

Plantasia: The square brick planters integral to the front of the Arcade were weeded, topped-up with homemade compost and top-dressed with stones.

Scrape Moss: Moss was scrapped off the tarmac and added to the compost heap.

On the Pull: Plantains were pulled, spot-weeded out of the lawn with the dextrous use of cutlery knives.

New Shoots: And afterwards in the the Tap Tavern, where Richmond GG’s Monday night Group Runs always start, new ideas for developing and funding more GoodGym work in Buccleuch Gardens were discussed.

The January challenge continues as we head off into cold nights with warm hearts to do good in the borough of Richmond upon Thames.

Tonight we ran a bit further than normal to cover just over 4km to Twickenham where INS (Integrated Neurological Services) is based. A chatty run through Richmond High Street and Twickenham up to Richmond Green before turning towards Hampton to the task location.

Lovely task owner Sarah had prepared well for us with everything laid out ready to go to paint the radiators in the loos and one in the gym! Sanding, cleaning and painting saw a fast transformation for four radiators before the team regrouped for the run back to Richmond!

Today may have been Blue Monday, but we painted it red tonight! ♥️

Operation ‘clear up’ for Rotary Club at Evolution, Battersea. Cleaning up and sorting after the Christmas Day party for the elderly who were apparently working the dance floor!

Christmas cheer was high for the last group run of the year to Mortlake where Achieving for Children have their Powerstation Youth Centre, managed by the brilliant Danielle who always provides a wide variety of tasks to help with the centre.

Following a steady 4km run from Richmond, the group was very happy to hear the help needed this time was to bake cupcakes for a football tournament taking place later in the week! Using a plant-based egg substitute that had been donated by City Harvest, the group created five trays of cakes and left them baking as they ran back off into the night!