Two teams; two truly magnificent tasks

Two teams headed out to two tasks tonight, with two totally brilliant task owners.

Our wonderful task force member Leo was heading up the big crew to Limehouse Town Hall, where the fabulous Brian had all manner of tasks for the GoodGymers to enjoy.

Writes Leo, "We set off promptly, very aptly led by Dave choosing to take us on Kat's special scenic route making excellent progress to Limehouse Town Hall, where we were met by task owner Brian who was ready & prepped for our arrival with a tasty line up of tasks to tackle.

The 23 of us split into two groups, with Chi especially keen to tackle the moving of the magnificent bar. He was joined by a group so enthusiastic, it was deconstructed and carefully transferred to the other end of the room in no time.

The rest of their group turned their hand to moving the stage in the opposite direction (yes, you read that right). It was exceptionally well coordinated, with the group making it look very easy despite MANY moving parts.

Remaining runners were tasked with cleaning some particularly grubby skirting boards; removing errant wall plugs and covering up the resulting holes with sufficient polyfilla to prepare the walls for a future paint job. The group enjoyed their tasks: in particular, Tracey, Becky & Emily seemed to get an inordinate amount joy out of cleaning (and the results were blindingly good).

As time drew to a close, we gathered for a photo behind the majestic (and successfully reassembled) bar before some very appreciative closing words from Brian to send us on our way back to the hotel - another fun and fulfilling evening."

Meanwhile, I took a small team of 5 to the local Parkview estate where Catherine had boxes of leaflets for us, lovingly prepared by the small TRA for the residents, with not just the monthly newsletter but also details of the exciting Climate Conversation Cafe taking place this weekend, in the gorgeous Glasshouse community centre. We split into two teams and blitzed the estate before heading to beautiful Bonner Gate in neighbouring Victoria Park for some fab fitness, including Bulgarian split squats against the railings and pavement planks.

We all met back at the hotel, to finish the chocolate and biscuits, discuss our upcoming GoodGym plans and say cheerio for the week. It was a thoroughly lovely February night.

Welcome's. And thank you's

A massive big warm welcome to tonight's wonderful first time runners, Mags, Patrick, Emily, Kieran.

And a huge thanks to task force supremo, Leo, who led the big team and big task; to our photographers, Leo, Charlotte, Suraj, Chi, Becky and Kat - you've helped create a lovely report! Thank you.

Also, a big shout out this week to our other task force hero, Isabelle, who on Saturday reached 50 good deeds. Thank you for all you do, Isabelle, and congratulations.

What's coming up in the next week...

Now, next week we're back to the Poets Corner Community Garden and back to Michael and Margaret at Hollybush, who've been in touch to say they need you. So come on board for that, why don't you.

And don't forget the Mini-Mermaids incredible mission this Thursday. Honestly, it's a game-changer, so make your excuses, take an extra long lunch hour and come and join Leo and the crew for some fablous, feelgood fitness cheerleading.

Well, until next time, take the very best of care: have a great week, stay warm (won't be long before the clocks go forward), stay well and stay in touch.

Flags and frolics

25 runners stood on the Town Hall Hotel steps this evening to pose with our phenomenal flag as we celebrated GoodGym being 10.

This was a truly terrific task tonight: we were heading down to the Royal London to meet with Barts Volunteers and Tower Hamlets Councill for a combined effort, and with some new faces which is always one of the biggest joys of the night.

Yes, we said hello to the brilliant Siobhan from Newham, and first time runner Katherine who offered smiles, the hardest of work, and generally an all-round amazing contribution. Thank you and please come back soon. And we were so lucky too to be joined by Nurjehan and Rita who were on loan from Haringey, and wanted to celebrate #GG10 by running “where it all began”.

So. After a brief warm up and the weekly debate about which route to take, (“Fewer traffic lights would be good, what do you all think?”. “This is London, Laura, there are quite a few lights.”), we set out (weaving our way passed the many arrivals to York Hall for London Fashion Week activity).

We ran at a decent pace, with Eimear being the world’s best backmarker this week, and doing her utmost to keep the group together.

Two tasks, two TASK OWNERS

We arrived at the hospital to the warmest of welcomes from Nancy of Barts Volunteers, and James from Tower Hamlets Council.

Tasks were assigned and the team sped off:

• One team headed out with James and Mark to the front of the hospital to blitz the hotel grounds in a litter pick-and-a-half.
• Another team headed out front to get some new plants bedded into the planters by the A&E entrance.
• A third team headed to our favourite John Harrison Garden where Nancy took a team through a big operation of litter-picking, pruning and weeding the planters. The whole area looked beautiful by 8.15pm.

We picked, we pruned, we dug…We didn’t stop. Another glorious night.

Speedwork & cider

The time flew as always and before we knew it we head (and sped) back to base with our favourite greyhound-and-hare game: me leading the hares and David S brilliantly and slickly leading the greyhounds, for a blinding bit of speedwork to end the night with. Thank. You. All.

And then we all headed to our favourite bar, for a fantastic impromptu school night swifty to say cheerio to David V, who leaves us this week, and who will be much missed. David has contributed heaps in his relatively short time with us, from throwing himself into every task to providing us with some truly fine puns.

Will you check OUT what we have coming up?

Now, what’s up next. Well, the #GG10 celebrations continue as Task Force member Kat is running the most fabulous parkrun activity this weekend as part of #SuperSaturday. Join Kat and the crew for some pacing, marshalling, cake-eating and litter-picking in the park.

And next week, we’re back to two-tasking it again, as we head to Hollybush for some Autumn overhauling of the garden, and an all-new task at Canal Community Garden (yes, it’s on the canal – exciting!) to help Sally with a variety of tasks. So come on – make it an Autumn to remember and get your name down now.

But until then, make sure you have THE best week: enjoy the squirrels, enjoy the conkers, enjoy the sun as you pound the pavement, and take the very best of care of your lovely selves.