Insane in the mem-DRAIN, insane in the RAIN!

I guess you have to be of a certain age to get the report title.... (just search 'Cypress Hill insane' on youtube/spotify to provide background music to read this report!)

Well done everyone for coming to St Peter-in-the-Forest today in, what can only be described as, biblical weather!!!

Arrival Peter was the first on scene, doing a spot of litter picking whilst waiting for the rest of GG crew to arrive. Julia arrived soon after by whizzing by the running John on Woodford New Rd. Ok, she slowly peddled by.... Linda heroically left her car at home and instead combined public transport with a spot of puddle-walking, whilst Ramon and Ed jogged in!

Welcome! This was the first time at this location for Ramon, Peter and Ed - well done!

The Task Francis, the St Peter's community engagement lead, provided us with some tools and anti-bacterial gel and we got on with it by clearing some prolific ivy and brambles, slowly cutting away to the edge of the corner, freeing up the ancient gravestones. The rain was relentless but no one complained and just embraced the situation!

Julia kept her bike helmet on, because she was just too embarressed to show the swimming cap underneath that she had to wear due to lack of winter clothing preparation! John was reminiscing about that time in Essex when he found even older graves, including one from 12th century, on a local historical walk that included another churchyard - now that's impressive! Ramon and Peter were sharing their stories of cycling around East London and conversation turned onto East London cycling club and how everyone is welcome to join, whatever their abilities, perhaps we can get a GoodGym East London bike ride organised soon! Ed and Linda managed to snap some photos whilst also being busy clearing the overgrowth of brambles! Everyone managed to make a good dent - great job!

This was a fantastic display of what GoodGym is all about: no matter the weather everyone got out for a bit of exercise and helped their local community, whilst also having a lovely social socially-distanced time in this isolating year! Such a fantastic collab between Redbridge and Waltham Forest!

After running/walking/cycling to the session in the rain, weeding in the rain for an hour, we were absolutely soaked and it was time to go home in more rain. At this point Ramon took out his umbrella to show that rain who's the boss!! :)

See you next time!