On a chilly but bright April evening, 9 GoodGym-ers met in Woolwich for a painting task at the brilliant venue which is Woolwich Works. A quick game of shark attack and a run along the river warmed us up before our task which was, as you've guessed, to paint some planters made from reclaimed wood pallets in the Woolwich Works courtyard. If you've not heard of it, Woolwich Works is a collection of previously military buildings in Woolwich Arsenal, historically known as The Royal Laboratories, and home to a fireworks factory. Its now a huge cultural hub, hosting events such as live music & comedy, food festivals & community groups. The pallet planters were soon well on their way to transformation with primer paint, then we could get started on the fun stuff - making them colourful! (WW logo colours) Once they're finished they'll make a fab addition to the courtyard- home to flowers & herbs etc for use in the cafe.

Thanks to all involved! Our next group run is on Sunday for the litter pick and next Wednesday we're back at the Hervey Road Sports Field - hope you can join us!

And there it is, the second group run after the clocks have gone forward and what a treat to be meeting in the light (or rather the gloomy semi-darkness of a disappointing English April day). Especially disappointing for Sarah, fresh faced from her travels in Spain and not quite bad enough for Bea to stay at home, instead braving the wind and bustle of a Wednesday evening to join our merry crew. One of the things I love about GoodGym is (cue uplifting playlist of choice) whatever day you've had and whatever the weather brings, it's always good to be out with old friends and making new ones. Awww cute, right? (turn the playlist off now, that's enough sentimentality, what do you think this is?!)

This week we had a group of walkers and another of runners to meet at the bottom of Sandy Hill Road. After a quick warm up we had the pleasant surprise of the smiling face of Franki appearing out of the gloom to join us. I always enjoy how Franki keeps us on our toes with the "will she, won't she" effect.

We were finishing off the leafleting for the Library of Things and distributing leaflets for the next Mini Marathon put on by the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice (you can sign up to help out at the event here)

And not to toot our own horn but we were very efficient, posting all our leaflets within half an hour.

Hmmm what to do when you finish a task nice and early? Go to the pub of course, and we made our way to The Plum Tree and what a hidden gem it is. A lovely way to finish the evening, thank you all!

Next week we're meeting at Charlton House to run to the Maritime Collections Centre in Kidbrooke - all the details are here.

Until next time!

I must say I'm pretty pleased with the pun this week :)

Well a few of us were thrown out of whack last weekend with the clocks going forward AND the Bank Holiday. Victoria was so keen for the task in fact that she turned up an entire 24 hours early for it. Glad you came back today Victoria! She blamed a bank holiday brain but for our check in we shared times we've missed events by getting the time wrong. Julian and Victoria shared how they both once entirely missed their flights, an expensive mistake and the trauma clearly still lives on. It's understandable Victoria, it was probably a bank holiday. Julian, ever appearing as the organised one also was a day early for his dentist appointment. Wait for it, it was of course scheduled for twothurty!! If I was a receptionist at a dentist I wouldn't book people for that time - the jokes must be insufferable.

Anyway, we digress. It was wonderful to have Jenny back from all her travels - GoodGym hasn't been the same without you Jenny! And lovely to have Louise join us this week.

After our check in we split into a group of walkers and a group of runners for the short jaunt to Clothes for Causes. It was great to be back here and we love this place. Clothes for Causes is a charity shop where the proceeds go towards buying essentials for homeless people.

Our mission tonight: moving multiple boxes of socks from the back room to the downstairs storage room.

We arranged ourselves into a sock relay team, Olivia taking some excellent snaps of the organised chaos and Marta falling in love with a rather dashing poodle jumper.

Then after a few boxes making their way down the line, things turned surreal and Louise started singing the 80s classic Living in a Box in a beautiful soprano opera before Olivia told her to put a sock in it. Someone put on some House and Marta went on a murderous rampage before Julian told her that sometimes life socks and to go and get a drink before her 8 o'clock curfew.

So that's what we did, marvelling that it was still light as we left the task once the job was done. We ended up at the Yacht, a lovely spot for a drink or two. What a lovely evening, thank you all!

Next week we're helping out at Glyndon Community Centre and we've got Westcombe Woodlands and Maryon Wilson Community Garden on Saturday.

Until next time!