After a short hiatus from GGN yesterday was my first session post BST clock change, and I can confirm it's bloody good to have some light back, inform the press. Joined by the trio of Grace, Rahul and Shreya, who didn't travel across from Kingston, as understood after some early investigation, but in fact are Poplar residents. Thanks for supplying a triple injection of exuberance into the session - welcome back any time!

As always, we answered the RWQ prior to departure "What sound do you find most irritating?" I kicked off with chewing, the moving of saliva in someone's mouth is my own personal hell. Shreya's not a fan of work meetings, and that pesky Zoom ping that signals more video chat. Grace went for tech too, the dreaded alarm that means it's time to play Capitalism (I'm perhaps extrapolating). Hils, ever the stoic, kind of prefers not to hear the train-please teach me patience oh wise one. Louise thinks personal train conversation should be kept personal...and I get that.

We ran the urban trail to the mural where we increased by five, the lesser spotted Graham sporting off a HAIRCUT, I'm not sure why this is big news, it just is. Dimple, great to have you back chipping in, it's been a while.

A relatively straightforward job on the wall was completed in no time, but what it lacked in minutes it made up for in auditory damage, that sound scratched my soul man. However, clearly it will all be worth it when an absolutely gorgeous mural is painted on, giving some vibrancy to the area. Have a look at the Broken Windows Theory, I've come across it a couple times, but most recently in a M. Gladwell book; basically - when you make an area look better it gets treated better.

The dessert, that wasn't on the menu, but was probably perfect for our healthy numbers: moving a massive sleeper and then shifting almost a tonne of sand. Team-work was paramount and everyone slipped into place as needed, I'm still a little bit down that we didn't finish the sand, but with time I guess I'll be okay.

Thanks all for a cracking hump day and making a massive difference to a superb community space.

Next week we head to the best permaculture in the world, Get Out Garden, over in Bow. I've bullied the main man into joining and directing us, so hopefully we can help with spring cleaning. I've set it up as a Social to mark a return of light to our Wednesday hustle, let's have a beer/juice after. Sign up here

Till next week,

B

It was beautiful sunshine for our first visit back to Senior's garden and there were plenty of tasks for us to be getting on with, we just had to tackle the hills to get there!

First up, we had to measure for a new polytunnel - I don't think we have any polytunnel measuring qualifications but we did our best to get accurate measurements including squeezing between the polytunnel and the wall.

Next up, we had to take the old woodchip off the paths in the polytunnel and replace with new woodchip that was in the car park at the front. Time for a good old fashioned GoodGym chain of one group wheeling the woodchip and another replacing the woodchip in the polytunnel.

We also had a team planting lemon balm that will be sold at upcoming plant sales.

Another team turning the compost pile and last but by no means least, Julian and Vic cleared the weeds from the path leading to the garden.

With the giant pile of compost moved, it was time to down tools and head up and over Blythe Hill Fields back to Glass Mill.

Don't forget - next week we are meeting at 18.30 and it's a bank holiday so Glass Mill will be closed.

• Teams were divided into two this evening, for a fantastic couple of activities at the Royal London hospital.

• We were joining the Barts Volunteers team, to help assemble activity packs, and distribute surveys.

• Tonight's report was written by Task Force members, Áine and Fiona (who also came up with tonight's pun).

Writes Áine, "Laura and Richard gathered a GoodGym gang of 9 to head to the 7th floor and the Paediatrics ward. The group split into pairs and after a quick intro from Richard, each pair had a chat with a patient and their family to get some feedback and fill in a form. This process is essential so that the Trust can gather feedback from all of their patients.

The conversations were wide ranging and interesting: Simon even recruited one dad to join GoodGym. We covered all wards on the 7th floor in good time, (including a detour to retrieve two GoodGymers from 7D) with the group managing to return safely with completed surveys to our arts and crafts comrades for a final group photo."

Writes Fiona, "Downstairs the activities group worked diligently to put together small craft packs, which can bring a smile and help patients to feel calmer and pass the time, particularly during longer hospital stays. The group also made up packs of food- themed communication cards. These are a vital tool at mealtimes for patients for whom English may not be their first language, or for those who have difficulties with hearing or speaking.

All this was accompanied by an epic soundtrack of film songs, provided by the Barts team, to motivate us through. Top points go to Sree and Mona who were strongest at guessing the artist and film!"

It was a bright, crisp day as our GoodGymers entered The Felix Project’s depot. The sun was shining, much like the spirit of our runners, who were ready to get stuck in.

Before starting the task, we were treated to a hot meal. A variety of food was on offer - from mushroom stroganoff to burgers to rice. This provided us with all the sustenance and strength we needed to work hard.

First, the team got suited and booted into safety wear and received a tour of the depot. The tour provided an insight into the scale in which the Felix Project works tirelessly to sort and deliver food to charities and schools. We were instructed on the sorting process and what activities our GoodGymers would be undertaking throughout the task.

After that, it was time to get to work. We began by shifting all the sweet potato into crates. Time past quickly, as our GoodGymers worked collaboratively with other volunteers at the depot. We then sorted donations into different use by dates and food groups, to prepare for their eventual circulation.

But, the highlight of the day came at the end of the task. Our GoodGymers were split into two groups and tasked to sweep designated areas of the depot in the fastest time. The winner took home a box of ciders. The stakes were high and the atmosphere was tense. You could not separate the two teams.

In the spirit of Christmas, we each received an advent calendar and cheers’d to great day. A huge shoutout to Julia and the team at the Felix Project for welcoming us with such warmth and generosity. We had a great time and look forward to returning very soon!

It’s official: come rain or shine, Monday night is the official blues-beater.

13 chilly GoodGymers joined for tonight’s task, in Bromley-By-Bow.

Although damp, dark and windy (again), the prospect of getting together and getting a decent workout in such an enjoyable environment proved irrestistable to tonight’s study team.

Background to the task

Local schools, parishioners, residents; gardeners, dog-walkers… all are playing an important part in the restoration of this historic, pretty new park area.

Under the careful eye of the Bow Church team, headed up by Larry, the green area, St Leonard’s Priory Park, has recently seen the addition of a new hedge, new grass, bundles of blub-planting; the installation of benches - and new sheds to house equipment.

This garden regeneration means that the park will be able to host events, catering to all: from local primary schools to vibrant community groups looking to appeal to as wide a demographic across the area as possible .

Where do GoodGym come in?

Our Monday evening sessions mean a large group of GoodGymers can tackle tough weeds, clear rubble, fill in fox holes and dispose of litter and timber debris making a clear space for the regular gardening and volunteer team to progress quickly.

What we did

We were distributed along the back wall of the park tonight, removing tree branches, weeding, and clearing rubble and litter as we went.

Timber and rubble were ditched in the bin area; sacks of weeds were lifted to the park entrance, and fox holes were filled.

This is a full-on physical task.

The GoodGymers worked at their usual cracking pace, blitzing the area in no time, leaving time to start tackling the pesky fox holes.

Apart from pausing to pose for photos and pun-polling, we worked non-stop for nearly an hour-and-a-quarter.

At 8:15, we lugged the final sack to the exit, turned off head torches, and posed for one last time.

Fantastic work, team!

Shout-outs to you all, for your productivity and tenacity on a chilly November night.

A special shout-out to Rahul, who came up with this evening’s cracking pun.

Next week, we return to the Devon’s Road area, for The Big Bulb-Plant with the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park.

Until then.