Don't run with scissors! So they said, before the event where I asked everyone to bring scissors. Hmmm...what an irresponsible Area Activator I am, but hey ho good thing we have such sensible GoodGymers in Greenwich, for the most part. And well done to our runners, meeting at the Naval College for an uphill dash, led by the fearless Geraldine .

Last night was something different for us. Instead of painting, getting our knees dirty weeding, clearing bottles of wee off pavements and all the other glamorous things we get up to on Wednesday nights, we were sitting down enjoying a drink and crafting! So we saw each other in a very different setting, with some people donning glasses we didn't know they needed, and a few who wished they'd brought them if they'd read the listing properly hahem. We also learned that Ashton is just as quick churning out paper chain slips as he is filling bags of litter. And yes, I will be finishing the rest of the jokes in all of my spare time over the next few days so I'd better get on with this report so I can get back to that.

Anyway, three shout outs are in order for last night. Firstly, we had Esha along for her first task, and what a sophisticated session you picked as your first one! Lovely to have you along Esha and just be prepared to look less sophisticated for the next one you join 🤓 Secondly, it was Iyabo's 50th good deed last night! Congratulations Iyabo, it's been a wonderful getting to know you this year 🥰 Thirdly, Cecilia recently completed 200 good deeds, a super speedy achievement from probably our smilyest GoodGym face!

The reason for sitting down, looking sophistacated and enjoying a drink and crafting was to support Christmas for CAMHS. Their mission is to make sure the young people on CAMHS mental health wards over Christmas feel remembered, special and included during a time that can be especially difficult to be in hospital. We were busy measuring, cutting Christmas paper strips and writing jokes on them and we'll send them off to CAMHS who then distribute to children in hospital to finish the job and fashion them into paper chains whilst enjoying a cracking jokes along the way.

Our icebreaker question was: “If we could invent a new holiday, what would we choose to celebrate?”

The ideas ranged from parties to help us get through the winter months, to a cheese party, a dumpling appreciation day (Esha’s suspiciously well-thought-out response – and, by the way, I’m absolutely down for that), a day to bring volunteers together to socialise and celebrate, a free public transport day, a day dedicated to learning about neurodivergence, a Neighbours’ Day, and so many more beautiful ideas.

It was lovely to see such a wonderful mix of fun, thoughtful and community-minded suggestions! Let's see how many of these we can implement during the GG calendar in some way!

Well done team paper chain!

Next week we're back at Prince Philip.

This weekend we're gardening at Hervey Road, clearing the Eaglesfield Pond and cleaning up Charlton.

And remember our Christmas do coming up soon!

Until next time, lovely people!

Rachel 👋🏻

Yesterday we joined the Friends of Eaglesfield Park to help with clearing in and around the pond to prevent the weeds from taking over. By the time I arrived, Cat had cleared a good chunk of the area with an ever increasing pile of leaves. Meanwhile Les and Liz were wading in the pond removing the weed with much more grace and serenity than I would have managed. Two hours later it was time for a coffee and we enjoyed a nice walk through Oxleas to sevendroog castle. A lovely morning all round!

We'll be back here next week 😊

Until next time!

It may be the last day of October, but someone forgot to tell the weather, as it was still feeling more like late summer than spooky season! ☀️

Eight of us, plus Arthur, joined forces with our friends at Mycenae Gardens for our monthly volunteer session. We soaked up the sunshine, enjoyed a good natter and got stuck into some gardening. It was a fang-tastic way to spend the morning. 🧙‍♀️🌿

Some of the team got their hands dirty weeding, clearing grass and tackling the alkanet to get the space ready for planting lots of lovely new plants next month. Others got busy lopping down overgrown trees, bushes and dead plants and dragging them over to the dead hedge that we've been adding to over time.

A special welcome to Leonor, who joined us for her very first GoodGym task. She certainly didn't let the grass grow under her feet, tackling her lopping task with gusto! ✂️

A great morning, topped off with some hauntingly yummy cake from Virginia and a coffee in the cafe.

Lovely to see you all - until next time 😊

*Coming up *

On wednesday we'll be litter picking in woolwich: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/woolwich-river-litter-pick-57deb427-7033-49e5-85fc-c8010e88f8ef

Next weekend, as well as the parkruns we have:

• Saturday 7th November: Maintenance at Westcombe Woodlands: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/maintenance-at-westcombe-woodlands-b989e989-3623-4bdc-9700-3324f9db4748

• Saturday 7th November: Litter picking and Wildflower planting at Maryon Wilson Park: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/litter-picking-and-wildflower-planting-at-maryon-wilson-park