David Richards

Brighton had a big weekend and loads of our runners got involved with some epic efforts in the marathon and 10k. Present tonight to bask in their glory were Philippa and Nancy who both ran the Brighton Marathon 10k on Sunday. Well done to you both and to everyone else who ran, volunteered or supported at The Brighton (Ultra) Marathon!

We’ve been visiting Sloane Court a council run seniors housing scheme for several years and have made a huge difference to the garden but those weeds will keep on growing! Resident Tony has acquired a stash of brand new tools to help us keep those weeds at bay, not quite as shiny as the Crown Jewels but not far off, at least until we got stuck into them.

The raised bed we planted a few years ago has filled out nicely but has also been invaded by some unwanted grasses, bindweed and some huge budleia which are becoming a nuisance to neighbours on the other side of the wall. Tony’s new loppers made easy work of them and revealed a fig tree underneath which now has a chance to breathe and maybe even produce figs! Jenny (my mum) came along to offer her plant expertise on what should stay and what should go, what to trim and what to leave. The patio in front of the communal sitting room got a good weed and Liz’s infamous bush also got trimmed and although there is still lots to do, good progress was made.

A short run to nearby Queen’s Park for a brief but intense fitness session in the fading light rounded off the evening nicely. At least until I got back to our meeting place to discover a wheel had been stolen from my bike. Grrrr!!!!

After a short but hard core fitness session on Hove lawns, 4 of us weaved our way up through Brighton’s streets to Gareth Stacey House. This is a YMCA supported housing project for 16-25 year olds. Their small garden had become a bit overgrown and a layer of bindweed was covering most of the plants and lawn. We wondered whether we had bitten off more than we could chew for the four of us but within 45 minutes we had peeled off the bindweed, chopped back the shrubs, weeded the patio and mown the lawn. We filled 3 tonne bags with weeds and left the garden looking much tidier, just in time for this little Indian summer we are currently enjoying.

Meanwhile the remaining seven members ran and cycled their way to St Andrew's Church and tidied up the church ground ready for the late summer fayre at the weekend.

It's already starting to get forgotten I feel but it's wonderful that events like this are now happening again and money can be raised in large amounts for charities like the British Heart Foundation....over £500,000 at the last count we were told. Our main job for the three of us today was to provide the medals and water at the finish line for off road cyclists who had traversed the 70 miles between London and Brighton...many bloodied and bruised but rightly proud of themselves. I say "provide the medals and water"...due to Covid restrictions we were obviously not allowed to hand them out directly so found many ingenious ways to space and place the medals and cans of spring water on the tables. Occasionally a cyclist...usually an ultra competitive male...would speed past and we had to call them back but generally it worked well. Aside from all that we were enthusiastic cheerleaders and clapped and whooped as they finished. A lovely day and the weather was glorious as we chatted about all sorts....4 hours of hard volunteering...those cyclists had it easy. Obviously I'm joking. We all had a great day.

When we heard that the task's location is Lavender House we expected to be greeted with soothing scents and beautiful lavender growing over some sort of a meadow, however, we quickly learned from resident Toni that it's the wicked old bindweeds that needed tackling.

Having experience in managing bindweeds over many GG missions, all ten Goodgymers wore our sturdy gloves and started tearing down those stubborn weeds. It was a lovely day and with side chats about work, life, travel, COVID-of course, food and new TV series recommendations time passed quickly and we managed to fill 9 big bin bags of bindweed. Really making a difference for the Lavender House Residents.

Lavender House is a council owned Seniors Housing Scheme with a communal garden. The residents have done their best to keep on top of things but, as you know, 2021 has been an epic year for weeds and things have got a little out of hand. Therefore, it was ideal to have our GG task there to help out.

After the task we all ran to Madeira Drive for a series of sprints down the stairs and up a slightly steep slope before saying our goodbyes and agreeing to meet again for another GG. Some of us went for our first social after lockdown while others went home to rest and unwind.

"Womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender." Alice Walker.

Bindweed.....it's definitely a bind. Greeting us at Vale Park in sunny Portslade was piles of it suffocating the lovely roses. We met Naz there and with assistance from Peter and Mike we set about tackling the afore mentioned bindweed with secateurs and sweat! Vale Park is a lovely spot and the sun came out to provide us with a lovely morning unlike the monsoon we dealt with last time we were here. This time the only drizzle present was the delicious lemon drizzle cake provided by local resident June who can't help because of health issues but wanted to contribute. After an hour and a half of weeding the difference was huge so the little picnic we had was well deserved. Plenty more to do so I'm sure we'll be back.

Having completed a fitness session in the gorgeous evening sunshine, seven of us ran up the hill towards Ronald MacDonald House.

We met Jazz who explained what they all do. An amazing place that allows parents with very sick children to access a room to stay so they can be nearby. The parents can come from as far away as Kent and can stay as long as they want....indeed they currently have a couple who have been staying intermittently since last September. It's an invaluable resource and a must make a massive difference for the parents involved.

Jazz explained that while the facility was closed due to Covid the outside area had, in the words of Grandmaster Flash, become "like a jungle".

Jazz and her partner had recently cleared one area alongside a wall but the beds on the opposite side were still crazily overgrown. We set about clearing the dreaded bindweed which was achieved but there is still work to do. While clearing weeds cocktails with a Goodgym theme, our next social and rats were discussed!

All in all a productive evening at a very inspiring location.

Meanwhile over in Hanover and Elm Grove Ward the rest of the team helped local residents paint over several patches of unsightly graffiti and weed and pick up litter in the beds in front of the Percy Wagner almshouses. Although the graffiti has reappeared in some areas we’d painted over on our last visit, I do believe we are winning the war and it was great to see the bottom of Southover Street clear of graffiti on the run back. Items picked up in the litter included the usual haul of drinks cans but also a child’s pair of wellies, an umbrella, a ladle and lots of McDonald’s takeaway litter! So both tasks were supported by the burger chain in one way or another!