Went to GoodGym & got some poison Ivy on me... I think I made a 'rash' decision.

DOING GOOD

In the afternoon as the wind bellowed and the rain came down heavy, we did each ponder whether anyone else would be at the Jurys Inn at 6:15pm... It needn't have even crossed our minds!

Fifteen hardy GG'ers were there by the time the clock struck six thirty & we were outside braving the cold, doing our thang!

Once we'd made ourselves feel sufficiently silly, it was time to do good.

We were back on ivy removal duties at the Broadway Baptist Church. With one fence (almost) cleared at our previous task there a couple of weeks ago, we moved onto another section of fencing at the side of the church. With Emma optimistically exclaiming that it would take "15 minutes!" it was now a race against the clock!

Ashley wasn't quite satisfied with leaving the previous fence with those pesky straggles of ivy, so he went back to work on the previous section, joined on the grass by Noami & Mark, who cleared up & bagged hedge cuttings.

The rest of the group cracked on with the new area of ivy removal, working methodically cutting, pulling & bagging. A few excuses were thrown around as we neared & eventually surpassed the 15 minute timer optimistically set... "the ivy knew we were coming"... "it was tougher than the last lot"... "it was older".... & the best one "let's blame the taskforce!"

15 minutes or not (who's counting? But for fact-taking sake it was 30 minutes of hard labour!) the team did a cracking job, removing most of the ivy & making a huge difference to the church grounds.

As the rain got heavier & the GG'ers colder, it was time for a group snap in front of our handy work & a run back to base.

Wait... Something is missing. Oh, Ashley's still working solo on his section of fencing!

WHILST GETTING FIT

Two run leaders on last nights task, meant double the fun. Emma led the group to our good deed, tackling the steady incline & Helen led the group back to the safety of the Jurys Inn, enjoying the long downhill stretch... bliss!

As well as our 4km total run, the team got a tasty leg workout at the Jurys using the resistance bands to practice all of the silly walk techniques - including everyones favorite duck waddle - firing up those important running muscles.

THANK YOUS

Big thanks to our lead runners & to all of you for coming out on a dismal evening to spread some GG cheer. A welcome to brand new runner Carly who along with Ellen (on her second run with us!) definitely win the prize for biggest chunk of ivy removed! A welcome back to Ellie as well who braved her third run with the Derby clan!

GO TEAM!

UP NEXT

Next week our good deed takes us to the Glebe Gardens Allotments where we'll no doubt get a little grubby again. Come & enjoy some fresh evening air over a nice accessible distance of 5km total!

Big Loves