Monday 9th September
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Report written by Laura Williams
And one by one our little group grew tonight, until there were no fewer than 13 GoodGymers working on the new hazel fence at the pretty St Leonard's Priory Park up in Bromley-By-Bow.
We said hello to first time GoodGym-ers Gurprit, Anton, Anna, and a warm welcome to Tower Hamlets to Anna!
Starting with four teams (one chopping hazel, one weeding, one digging fence-holes and one repairing our less-than-perfect previous hazel fence), it was definitely a case of learning on the job as we pruned, stripped and chopped; weeded and wove, blitzing multiple jobs at one time.
With the team working flexibly, rotating out of one task to another, particularly as time sped on ("Hazel! We need more hazel!"), it was a busy but sociable evening, with the countdown to sunset well and truly on.
A decent workout was had by all, whether digging up weeds or sawing tough branches.
It was after 8 before the team were generously stacking up the kit, and wheeling barrows to the back of the park.
With Kareem providing decent tech assistance, the all-important group pic remained in tact, despite the lack of light.
A great effort, everyone - and a final shout-out to Charlie, who came up with tonight's belter of a pun.
Next week
...we're back to Hollybush Gardens, for our first visit of Autumn with Margaret and Ash.
Until then.
Bow Church parishioners, residents and small, local community organisations are gradually developing what was the Cemetery at St Leonard’s Priory into a small park. It is hoped that an increasing number of local residents will be encouraged to not only enjoy the open space, along with the history of the site, throughout the year, but also explore volunteering opportunities too. Garden volunteers from the local church community have been working with Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park to tidy up the space and make it more accessible. Part of the regeneration plan will involve the inclusion picnic benches to establish a seating area for community activities, as well as for people to sit and enjoy the garden.
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It's the first of our Saturday sessions!