Tonight's task was an annual favourite: distributing flyers to advertise the wonderful Noel Park Festival.

First to arrive at GGHHQ was run leader Sarah, after having run from home in the heat to get there on time. When no one else had arrived by 6:45, Sarah made her way alone to meet task owner Rich, who was clutching a handful of flyers and wearing a suspiciously clean-looking red t-shirt. Welcome back to the fold, Rich!

Sarah had shared a 📍, and she was surprised by the arrival of Clare who hadn't signed up but just happened to be passing by, and decided helping the community was far preferable to a five minute fitness test run. Dave was next up, and just when we thought everyone else was super late Asan appeared.

We split into two teams of two, one each side of the road, with Rich going to flyer a smaller side street. Soon it turned into a little competition between Sarah and Asan on one side, and Dave and Clare on the other. Dave and Clare managed a narrow victory.

On the next street over, Mark appeared. Rich rejoined the group and now it was three on three. Sarah attempted to get a cat to join, but cats are not team players.

Meanwhile Latoya was somewhere in Noel Park trying in vain to catch up with our merry band. Alas, we were too quick for her!

Soon enough we had completed all of the target streets and it was time to melt away into the evening (quite literally perhaps, it's still very hot out there).

This morning's gardening session started an hour earlier than normal to try and beat the baking hot heat. Not much luck on that front - by the time we downed tools at 11am it was already well above 30C and still climbing. Not surprisingly watering was a big part of today's session - for plants and volunteers. Lunch under the mulberry tree was cancelled - we did all leave with a large harvest bag - lettuce, purple sprouting broccoli, courgette, cucumber and herbs - -and before we left we indulged in a lemon meringue pie, baked and brought by one of the team!

The task was brief - laying more woodchip on the paths and use areas, and followed quickly by making willow rings around the fire-pit. Amy, Dave and Asan quickly demonstrated their creativity. Meanwhile marshmallows were being roasted on the fire, champagne and zero alcohol sparkling wine bottles were opened and cake brought by Sarah and Mark was devoured. With world cup football beckoning several goodgymers made their way to Wood Green Spoons where Latoya and Julie were saving a table. A great evening and Mark confirmed, to the relief of all, that he was now done with his extended birthday celebration. Thanks to all for a wonderful time together!

Four Goodgymers joined other volunteers at the Mulberry Tree Community Garden. A full task list kept us busy and it didn't feel long for the two hours of gardening to have passed and time for lunch in the shade. Shout out to Ky, Amy, Asan who joined Mark at the garden.

A final period of preparation before the 2-4 pm Celebration of the newly opened Urban Forest Tribe site at Scout Park.

A quick flurry of activities led by Paul, founder of Urban Forest Tribe, got things ready for the opening. A wonderful afternoon followed with about 40 people (adults, teenagers, children, etc) showing up for a fun-filled afternoon which included face-painting, making willow rings, painting wood medallions, and Mark's favourite - reclining in one of the three hammock under the trees.

Home made lemonade, self-make fruit kebabs, and delicious cup-cakes kept the crowd well fuelled and hydrated. Amy and Mark were there and represented GGH and Paula was very warm in her appreciation for the support that GGH has provided over the last several months.

The kids had a lot of fun in their new space - so did we!!

5 Goodgymers showed up at HEN street association for a second round of neighbourhood tasks. Dave and Asan set to trimming branches from a tree using a really long telescoping pole and shears. Forget the need for a ladder when you have an instrument like that to work with! Further up the road in a back-garden Sarah , Paul and Mark got to work disassembling a large trampoline that filled most of the space. Good progress was being made when the heavens opened and dropped a truly biblical amount of rain. Nothing though was going to stop our Sarah! Whilst Paul and Mark sheltered in a garden shed, Sarah tightened her cagoule and kept on working. The rain eventually stopped, the tasks were both completed, and as the team left the sun began to peak through.