A short, sharp workout

No fewer than 9 GoodGymers joined for tonight’s short workout outside the Soanes Centre!

Welcoming first time GoodGymer Georgina, we popped bags to one side in order to get cracking on tonight’s short workout.

We started with a few dynamic stretches before moving to the obligatory single-leg squats; a seated abdominal exercise and a couple of lunge variations, before finishing with a handful of stretches.

We then made our way over to the toolshed to see Ken, the Park Manager of the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, and our task owner for tonight.

After a short intro, we piled wheelbarrows with gloves and bags, and headed over to tonight’s location, a little way into the park.

The best briefing in the world

Ken then gave his usual brilliant briefing, covering all aspects of health and safety as well as a speedy masterclass in goose grass and cow parsley removal.

Starting work on both sides of the park path, GoodGymers wasted no time in filling many barrows with these common weeds.

It was a productive evening, made all the more enjoyable by the daylight (and even a glimpse of sun).

At just gone quarter to eight, we wheeled the last barrow around to the weed pile and slowly made our way back to base via a most scenic route.

We said our final cheerios to Ken, delighted to be returning next month, to lend a hand helping to maintain this much-loved, beautiful park.

Next week, we’re back to the Columbia Road gardens!

Until then.

Monday night fitness

We enjoyed a short run and a fitness session this evening en route to our task on the Hollybush Estate.

Navigating a busy Cambridge Heath Road, we headed for Old Bethnal Green Road at the first opportunity, before adding to our mileage around pretty Middleton Green.

Following a handful of mini-hill sprints, we sped through our stretches, and made our way across the road to meet Margaret and Ash.

Some exceptionally large weeds

After admiring well-loaded wheelbarrows, our little group meandered to Strawberry Fields, the Estate’s orchard area.

Tonight’s task was weeding the large beds in preparation for redistributing the soil in the beds to other areas of the Estate.

The weeds were larger and more abundant than both Margaret and Ash had anticipated, so this part of the task took us a while.

We filled many bin liners which were then wheeled over to the compost heap.

Rain, Rain, Go away

Just over halfway through the task, the heavens opened. With a much-heavier-than-forecast downpour, this put a halt to proceedings. Sheltering underneath balconies, we paused to take stock.

Having decided this was no ordinary downpour, Margaret instructed us to gather tools, a little earlier than planned, and headto the compost bays for a final couple of trips.

Gathering for that all-important final pic, we said cheerio to Margaret and Ash, and headed back out into Bethnal Green, the heavy rain failing to dampen our spirits after another fun and productive Monday night.

Until next time.

Despite a change of day from our regular Monday night, tonight's task still saw an impressive seven GoodGymers joining us at the Island House Community Centre on the Isle of Dogs.

Four of us enjoyed a bit of fitness in neighbouring St John's Park, thrilled to be GoodGyming in daylight once again.

We then made our way around to the Island House Community Centre to meet Amanda who was leading our task tonight.

With amazing preparation (tools were laid out, painting trays ready; aprons and gloves good to go...) awaiting us, Amanda walked the first group to the outside garden area to brief on the first part of our task. Here the team of three were clearing moss and weeds from paving stones, cutting back shrubs and hedges and collecting litter.

The second team arrived in the fabulous large hall and wasted no time grabbing rollers and satin paint, and proceeded to finish the two large cupboards from our last task, and complete another in the hallway.

The garden team then moved around to the front of the building, to tackle the small area by the entrance, accomplishing another vast amount in a very short space of time.

Assembling in the hall to clear away the final few bits and pose for that all-important final pic, we concluded it had been an awesome evening and a great start to April.

A rather chilly Monday evening was no match for 9 GoodGymers this evening, all committed to a very physical task in Bow's GET OUT garden.

Meeting at just before 7 at the bottom of Harley Grove, we enjoyed a good 15 minutes of our regular body weight move-routine, ensuring we tackled everything from tricep dip to trap stretch.

Our little group slowly grew, and at just gone 7, we headed around the corner to the large iron gate of the GET OUT garden.

This previously disused, overgrown area of around has been transformed into 'a productive food forest that reflects the principles of permaculture and acts as a hub for education and connecting to nature'.

Tonight GET OUT team member Frankie had several tasks lined up for the team:

The Timber Team were heading to the skate ramp, to shift large planks of wood to the polytunnel and the exit area to help free-up space.

The Weeding Squad headed to the garlic beds to tackle the many weeds that have put down their roots since we planted the bulbs, working carefully around the many weeds in a variety of sizes in this dimly-lit area.

Meanwhile, the dedicated timber team were busy working effectively in pairs shifting very large wooden planks and boards all over the garden.

The brilliant Frankie directed the teams well, assigning them to new areas no soon as one was completed.

8pm came around fast as usual, and at 8:05 we were gathering tools, and admiring Emma and Ilana's final bit of weeding in the patch by the Camellia.

Off to the shed we went, to return kit and pose for our final pics of the night.

Big shout-outs tonight:

... To Martin, our resident head-torch technican.

... To Oliver, on head torch-collection.

...And, a special mention this week, to the GoodGymers who travel across town to join tasks, who tonight included:

• John, who travelled from Camden.

• Emma who travelled from Croyden.

• Oliver who travelled from Southwark.

• ...and Fiona from Waltham Forest!

Great night, everyone.

Until next time.

Tonight we headed to a brand new task on the Isle of Dogs! No fewer than 9 GoodGymers were greeted by Anne-Marie from the Island House Community Centre in Roserton Street to learn more about what we were doing this evening.

But first the fitness

A good-sized group joined at St John’s Park for tonight’s fitness session.

This well-lit local park housing tennis courts and well-tended gardens offers great views of the Wharf. A brilliant location for a quick workout!

We enjoyed our usual upper body stretches this evening, accompanied by a few laps of the little park, some squats and tricep dips on the benches.

We also welcomed Tom and Lovisha to their first GoodGym session!

Strolling up Manchester Road we were joined by Lobo and Fiona, before heading in to the warm community centre.

A well-prepared task

Anne-Marie was ready and waiting with bundles of equipment for tonight’s painting task.

We headed up to the large hall, opened doors and windows and set about mixing paint, laying dust sheets and turning radiators off.

With six teams initially spread out over the hall, glossing cupboards and coating radiators (and let’s not forget tackling some very high beams for cobwebs) we thought this would be a speedy job, but with careful painting and a clean-as-you-go attitude, the time slipped by faster than we imagined.

In spite of starting the clean-up effort at around 8:40, it was still nearly 9pm before this dedicated team were heading out (GoodGym Golden Rule #135: Never leave a task messier than when you arrived).

This was a brilliant effort from everyone, and we look forward to Part II of this task , when we return on Wednesday 3rd April!

Until then.