One last time...in 2024

After attending Dawson's Heights for five group runs this summer to help create and build their community garden, we've finally arrived at our last session with Ellie and the Dawson's Heights residents.

Sam met up with Mikhail, Steve, Paulin, David, Emma, Daryl, Rebecca, James, Gemma, Alex and Andrada at Old Spike Peckham.

Sam briefly mentioned about the protests and riots to reassure that if anything should be planned in and around Peckham, he would either have to cancel the session or take a different running route as safety for runners is paramount. He went through his usual GG intro speech and his ice-breaker question for tonight was to do with the Olympics as it's still on: "What has been your favourite moment or athlete at the Games so far?"

There's been so many outstanding moments at these Games, but the majority said Simone Biles as well as the other gymnasts. There were special mentions for the Team GB athletes, but every athlete at the Games are doing incredible things for themselves and their country.

Let the garden flourish

After a quick warm-up on the Green, Sam led the group out and along Peckham Rye park before turning into Dunstans Road and climbing up Underhill and then Overhill Road to reach the top. Mikhail backmarked the run and we met Phil at the task as he had cycled there.

Ellie and the Dawson's Heights residents couldn't believe it was our final session and wanted to show their thanks for our work and effort at the community gardens over the last three months. Yet, before gifting us with a lovely designed and heartfelt card and biscuits, we had some work to do:

• Rebecca and Steve took on the first role of painting wood planks to be used as signage.
• Andrada and Emma were on watering duty as they watered the community garden.
• James and Paulin took care of filling up the water tank whilst preparing the compost heap with cardboard too.
• Gemma and Nathan
• Finally, Phil, David, Alex and Daryl used secateurs and a lopper to cut and trim back the overgrowth around.

These group runs seem to go by in a flash as before we knew it, it was 5 to 8 and we had to put back the tools. Yet, before we left, Ellie gift us with a handmade card which was signed by a few residents of Dawson's Heights and of course, the customary biscuits to fuel our run back!

Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out last night! Ellie and the residents of Dawson's Heights appreciates everything that we have done at Dawson's Heights Community Garden this summer. Thank you toMikhail) for backmarking the runs to / from Dawson's Heights and for taking photos too.