On a beautiful spring evening, six GoodGymers met to run to Broomfield allotments, and two of them were first timers: we give a big GoodGym welcome to Claire and Mike, it was great to have you with us.

We set off at chatty pace and soon arrived at the allotments, where Sallyann was waiting for us with the task owner Donna. Our task was to dig over some beds for an elderly gentleman who is caring for his wife through an illness and has been unable to get to the allotment as much as he'd like.

Joel and Mike started at one end, Rich and Claire at the other, while Sallyann (who disappointingly didn't bring muffins) helped fill the wheelbarrow. Gold star to Ben, who spent yesterday and today volunteering with the gardening team in the city parks, and still had energy for more digging (and for replanting things that maybe shouldn't have been dug up).

After lots of chat about how we all came to live in Chelmsford, some posing for photos, and a couple of Dad jokes from Mike, we'd dug over a good patch of ground that will be ready for spring planting.

Ben took the lead on the way home, and it was good to have time to talk more to Claire and Mike about what we do - we hope to see you both again soon!

Next week's task will be folding charity leaflets, lead by Martin, and don't forget to bring any old running shoes to donate to Jog On.

Oh, and did I mention that it was my first time run leading? Hopefully it will be the first of many 🤞 Jane

While some people were stuck on a broken down train, others wanted to get to work GoodGyming!

We met and celebrated with fireworks Ben's 50th good deed! He obviously missed it being late but was excited to learn he can get new black tshirt. We headed on to the task, a short run there via a closed road (where Joel gave such a smouldering look it made me weak at the knees) and obviously Fay, as co task owner and goodgymer told us the wrong gate. We also met the legendary Ian who let us in and showed us what needed doing.

Jane dived in like the motherforker she is (Rich's words) and we began to turn over the soil. It was decent quality soil so Ian was astounded at the quick progress we were able to make. As you can see from the picture, we got a huge amount achieved and we begged Ian to have us to help Age Concern again in the future!

Then time for the main event, with three birthdays this coming week, Sallyann whipped out those magnificent muffins. Choices were chocolate and vegan flavour (although I am told vegan isn't a flavour and it was something called a blueberry). Delicious! We were ready for curry. Thanks made again to Ian and Age concern.

Happy birthday to those this week - mainly me - and happy goodgyming!

On what seemed to be the first day of summers evening, 6 of us met at HQ outside the Old Factory Gym ready to have a lovely chatty slow jog up to Broomfield allotments where we would meet Sallyann and Jess. There we would turn over a plot for an elderly gentleman, ready so he could start planting in. Leah was running late from work and as she lived nearby said she'll meet us enroute or at the task.

So we set off, with Ben leading the way and explaining how his sore shoulder actually turned out to be broken 🤯, but all healed now🥰. And as we passed a man watering his garden Jane exclaimed from nowhere "Nice tulips" to his and our surprise and also Jen's giggles.

We arrived still in sunshine ( it really makes all the difference) and set to work on the plot with fork and spade and a tool that you twist to break up the soil... which i have now learned is called a Tiller ( as being demonstrated by Jane in a photo). Chatting as we worked, Joel took some great photos and videos for the socials, one of which if you zoom in, looks like Jess is shouting at Leah but she promises she wasn't 😂

With a job well done we packed up and set off back to HQ as the sun set. Thanks for coming guys, it really makes a difference to the people we help. As Joel pointed out, 9 people doing 30 mins work = 4.5 hours for a single person. So well done all.

We'll be back at broomfield allotments in 2 weeks, but next week David will be leading us to an allotment closer to base for Age Concern. So if you are free next Wednesday come along for more chatty tilling.... ( look at me getting all horticultural 😂)

until then

RUN HAPPY 🥰

Rich