From gentle weeding and pruning to building what is arguably the largest insect hotel in the borough, a group of devoted Bromley volunteers do working out differently.
Burning a third more calories in an hour than a step aerobics class, the group meets each week at a public park to work up a sweat while improving the facilities for all to enjoy. Hatty Collier reports.
Bromley Green Gym are a community group who meet every Friday to sweat it out by looking after the once neglected College Green and Slip on West Street.
Over the last two years, around 10 to 15 volunteers have worked to transform the green space into a wildlife sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of Bromley town centre.
After more than 3,000 hours of working on the park, the volunteers have planted a mini orchard, a sensory herb garden and a wild flower meadow.
The group has also built two pergolas from scratch, a huge insect hotel and put in new benches to give visitors an admiring view of the green.
Ching Chua, Bromley Green Gym secretary said: “Since joining the Green Gym, I feel more connected to the local community and seeing the progress we have made at the College Green has been a great source of pride.
“I have made new friends, learnt new skills and discovered that I really enjoy working outdoors.”
Community charity The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), in partnership with intu Bromley and the London Mayor’s ‘Pocket Parks’ scheme, secured a grant in 2013 to set up the green gym.
The charity has supported the volunteers to form an independent, sustainable community group by the end of its funding period to continue its work well into the future.
Bromley Green Gym celebrated its independence at a special launch event on Friday, May 22.
The London Mayor’s Pocket Parks scheme is a set of grants provided to rejuvenate 100 tennis court-sized green spaces to be enjoyed by everyone.
Matthew Pencharz, senior environment and energy advisor for the London Mayor, said: “The Bromley Green Gym is a good example of the innovative projects that have come out of the Mayor’s popular Pocket Parks programme.
“We are pleased that funding from the programme is being used in Bromley to enhance green space and at the same time improve the health and fitness of locals.”
Bromley Green Gym meets every Friday from 11am to 2pm with sessions run by a volunteer leader.