It's Monday - we're motivated

34 runners braved another chilly night to head out into our beloved Borough to see what treats some of our wonderful local neighbours had up their sleeve for us.

Leo headed up the squad destined for the new task at the Poets Corner Community Garden, just off Roman Road. Wonderful new task owner Tahera greeted us with lovely biscuits and the tastiest drinks while briefing the team on what was to be done.

With the crew paired up throughout the garden, she proceeded to talk them through the intricate tasks of weeding between cobbles, de-littering vegetable beds and tending to borders.

Meanwhile, Bryon and Kat led the other team to Meath Gardens where task owner Jane met the runners, slightly apologetic that the task was no more exciting that a litter-pick tonight, and soon dispatched them to all four corners of the park where they proceeded to fill bin bag after bin bag, even in poorly lit conditions.

Lots done...

Tonight was one of those nights where our task owners were incredibly appreciative and also a little incredulous at the size of the turnout - overwhelmed by the number of GoodGymers who really were happy to be out in the winter chill, quietly, conscientiously working away happy to be making a very small, consistent contribution to their environment.

And so we all met at the fitness tree (log, as it's not really a tree anymore) for our guest run leader Danny to set the group some drills, before we finished with a handful of resistance exercises and made our way back to base.

A big week of shout-outs tonight...

• A massive warm welcome to our first time runner, Miriam. Thanks for a great, great time; a huge contribution on your first run, and do please come back again very soon.

• And a HUGE shout out to our task force this week: to Bryon and Leo for stepping in and agreeing to lead and help co-ordinate our two tasks tonight; to Kat for helping lead a task, too.

• To Danny for coming and helping provide some lovely fresh content for us all.

• To Liz, for being a brilliant backmarker (a general great addition to our run), and a fab walk leader tonight, and making this run tonight accessible to all.

• Thanks to Leo, Kat and Emma for some brill pics, and to Joel & Sian for tonight's pun.

• And a GREAT BIG GLORIOUS shout-out to Lieke, our wonderful regular runner and trusty Task Force member, who tonight reached 50 good deeds. You're such a huge part of the group, it feels like 500. Lieke's run some brilliant community missions recently, and is always in the wings helping out. So here's to the next 50.

Now, next week

Next week we're off to Parkview to help the powerhouse that is Catherine plant one thousand snowdrop bulbs, before heading to neighbouring Fugitive Motel for our first GG Tower Hamlets social, so do check out the details and sign up here.

Until then, have a really great first week of February.

A few quick words to say: thank you to everyone who came, dressed up, donated to Stephen's House, and partied away. We thought it was brilliant and hope that you agree. Some thank yous:

🎅 to our wonderful DJs Alex and Chi, who did a great job with their alternating sets

🎅 to our amazing hosts Stephen's House, who kept the drinks flowing and were so flexible with every request we had

🎅 to GGB's very own Mumtaz who did SO much work in getting the party from a concept to a reality

🎅 and finally, to our prize winners who made an amazing effort with their costumes: 3rd place was of course Steve in his Elf and Safety outfit (and a whole persona) 2nd was Rosie and her 5 gold rings 1st ~drum roll~ was Beth as a Pig in Blanket!!!

Thanks again. I hope you like the photos and do join us in thanking everyone here when you next see them. Have a brilliant Christmas.

With one of Redbridge's core members back in the country for a bit, a lovely Sunday morning was just the perfect opportunity for a runabout in Wanstead Park! And what better than a post-run stroll along the market along Wanstead High Street for a little drink & snack....