We convened at Shadwell station, sheltering from the afternoon heat, shortly joined by John, Darren, and first-timer Kelly (welcome Kelly!).

We headed south towards Shadwell Basin, dropping leaflets at Shadwell Gardens and various churches along the way. Highlights included a promising chat with a potential task owner at Glamis Adventure Playground, and a detour to the Outdoor Activity Centre where many locals were attempting to cool off in the water. Kareem joined us just in time for a well-earned hydration break at the historic Prospect of Whitby before we pushed east towards Limehouse.

We paused to admire some previous GoodGym handiwork at The Royal Foundation of St Katharine, and made a valiant attempt at leafleting Moo Canoes (surprisingly closed on a sunny Saturday). We called it a day at Limehouse Basin with a celebratory drink at the Cruising Association, having navigated our way through a stretch of East London many of us had never explored before.

Join us next time as we continue spreading the word across Tower Hamlets.

With our main contact Janet sadly unwell, we wondered whether we’d ever be returning to one of our longest-established tasks, at Cranbrook Community Centre. With a strong focus on inclusion and affordability, the centre provides everything from music and parties to fitness classes and prayer groups, but they do need our help to keep the entrance garden tidy

We were summoned back to the centre by Abdul and Linda, who are looking after things while Janet recuperates at home - it was good to hear she’s out of hospital. And our old friend Eileen was still there to hand out rakes and cutting tools, and to give instructions. There was plenty to do, with a mess of leaves and twigs to be raked up, overhanging bushes to be cut back and rubbish to be collected, and the heat had dissipated – for now. We even used our botany skills (and Google Lens) to identify a rather nice white-flowering plant, who’s name I’ve already forgotten. But it was an attractive plant anyway…

A special welcome to Adam, doing his first ever good deed! I trust we made you feel welcome, and hope to see you again soon. Welcome back Grove Road Emma, who’s been busy wrecking her flat, and it was also good to see Bonner Street Emma, who wasn’t feeling good, but visited briefly just to say hello. Get well soon, BS Emma

Eventually we very gradually dissipated, progressively splitting into ever smaller groups, but we’ll be back together at the Cemetery Park next Monday