Great turnout last night - because it's Cat's last task before she moves home, and we all wanted to say a proper nice thanks and bye. So ten of us were at the task in Betts Park 'secret garden' - some of us after a nice gentle jog.

The secret garden has undergone a huge transformation just in the last few months - from brambly overgrown side-bit to the park, to now something cleared, pretty and with potential. We could see the path started, wood and plants cleared, a pond being dug, and raised beds being planned.

We set about a range of tasks, from raking to weeding, to moving and sorting plants already cleared, starting to build the wood supports for the raised beds, and laying paving slabs for the path with will bed in gently at first and then when it settles, relaid more solidly.

After task time that as usual went too quickly (we'll be back!) we walked towards Anerley for a little drink and chat to say bye to Cat. Thanks for all your work with GoodGym Crystal Palace and its taskforce and good luck in your new home :)

Read to the end to reveal the mystery!

Tonight we headed up the hill for a task at the St Christopher's Hospice shop on Crystal Palace Triangle. It's a seriously well stocked shop, so much so that a few of us even ended up having a late night spree! Would recommend if you're ever in the area.

Anyway we came from all over to get to the task venue - some direct from home, some up from the Bridge House. We had a series of jobs which were executed with aplomb:

James took on the hoover for his 8th time?! Megan was pricing up some fancy crockery. Mariah was taping up some well stuffed bags so they don't split on the way to the Streatham store. Charlie and Kelsey were cleaning the shelves. Catherine and Cat were boxing up some older bric-a-brac. Jess was on steamer duty and I think that's everyone 👏👏👏

Oh yeah, the brogue. So basically there were a few single shoes, i.e. not in pairs. Me and Kelsey were like "wtf?!" but then we asked Teresa and it turns out it's all part of the plan. If there's some spenny shoes above a certain price, they keep one hidden away so they don't go walkies. Clever eh?!

Well done GG CP. I always have such a nice time hanging out with you. See you next time.

Five cheerful Goodgymers met Jorella at the lovely Albion Green space, near Forest Hill. Sadly, the Friends' lockup had been damaged by an attempted break-in, so Jorella rushed back home to get some alternative tools for us while we did a good litter-pick. One gent approached us to pop a bit more rubbish in our bags, nice.

Jorella was soon back and we set about the proper task of the evening - clearing the sides of the path by the railway of brambles, nettles, rubbish and a large branch expertly cut up and moved by the team. We even had a little time left to trim back some diseased branches of the big horse chestnut by the gate, to give it a chance to come back stronger.

thanks team for battling the prickles and stingers for a job well done :)