On a mild Monday, March night, an intrepid team tackled a task that neatly showcased (or suitcased 😉) the dynamic "Living Life on the Edge" (Hill) spirit of Goodgym volunteering...

A group of seven volunteers assembled at the junction of Earle Road and Tunnel Road, where there is a small and beautiful corner park. It is the home of the Edge Hill suitcases, an art installation consisting of pieces of luggage cast in steel on a Victorian hand trolley, created in 2013.

Local resident and Litter Clear-Volunteer (LCV) leader, Vicky, briefed our group on the sprucing-up jobs that needed our attention and efforts.

Emmaand Clara attended to the flower bed corner: identifying and removing weeds to allow the buddleia (butterfly bush) and other plants to grow unheeded. Dan, Sallyann and Liam led the clearing of one of the two circular flowerbeds. Faced with a few stubborn dandelions, Sallyann deftly demonstrated the necessary technique to apply the "twister" (also known as a claw), passing on one of Vicky's many hortiucltural tips and tricks that guided our endeavours. The final pairing of Dike and Bekah set to sharpening up the path edges, with notable speed and strength.

Whilst busy weeding, clearing and neatening, two passer-by cyclists stopped to find out how they might get involved, a family walking through thanked us, and a locally-based driving instructor came over and offered everybody a bottle of water, as a gesture of support and appreciation.

Particular praise to Dike who set those borders straight, before heading off to work and Emma who joined the task following on from a workout at the gym (the actual gym!).

By the end of the session, the park was looking like it had just come out of the barbers - all tidy and slick. However, further styling still needed in other areas of the park, which Vicky will strive onwards keeping shipshape. Vicky is part of LCV, which is a campaign aimed at turning untidy greens into welcoming community spaces.

Finishing up, our group stowed away all the tools and looked ahead to the Goodgym Liverpool 7th birthday party (on Thursday 26th!). Vicky revealed how each of the suitcases in the sculpture contains artwork produced by pupils at local primary schools and residents of a sheltered accommodation, for future generations of residents to enjoy when they will will be opened again one day! The inspiration for the sculpture came from Edge Hill’s rich railway heritage: the first passenger railway station in the world (dating from 1830!)

With the Goodgym gardening gusto this evening, the park space now smartly sets off this proud tribute to Edge Hill’s pioneering transport history and more recent creative communities 😀