Mow, mow, mow the lawn Cutting down the grass Whack Sallyann with a rake Take a pic of Rich's ass

Fill, fill, fill the bins It's not a lot to ask Andy likes to chat a lot We have done the task

Due to a task cancellation and the hot weather, we opted for a relaxed litter pick in a nearby, leafy, litter hotspot.

We filled two big bags with litter, Andy smashed a wine bottle, whilst he and Joel picked some rather sharp blackberries.

Philosophical ponderings this week were on the sun protection status of butterflies.

It was Jane's 50th task, so we all congratulated her on her imminent black GG t-shirt 👏

Next task is TBC (possibly another litter pick if it's hot), and then on the 12th we are at Beaulieu Community Centre.

Litter picking round Chelmsford with GoodGymers - what better way to spend your birthday?

I met with Rich, Andy, Laurie, Ben, Erin and Joel (henceforth JJ) at HQ. We started with the usual run brief, and for the first time ever, "Are there any illnesses, injuries, or pregnancies?" was answered with a "Yes". Congratulations to Erin & James.

We ran to the old Iceland shop, where we met Sallyann and late sign up Martin, who was able to join us after finishing work in time.

Rich, Laurie, Andy, and I started on the grass verge by the roundabout. There were lots of food wrappers we think had been thrown from cars. Meanwhile, Erin, Sallyann, Martin, JJ and Ben found a grot spot near a bench used by drinkers; the bushes were full of bottles, cans and cigarette butts. Sallyann took the heaviest bottles round to the bin.

We found an abandoned shopping trolley filled with rubbish (which has been reported to the Council), then went behind the car park, where there was more litter in the bushes. In a very short distance, we had collected three bags full, which were left for the Street Care team to pick up.

Back at HQ there were birthday cakes for everyone, and then some of us went to the pub for a post-task pint, and to watch some Morris dancing. Good work everyone.

Next week we are doing a deep clean in the kitchen at Sanctus.

Wise words from Joel McKeown. One of the only things he has ever said I agree with.

Great fun was had by all - good selection of food, great selection of beers!

Same again next time! Rich was clearly still feeling the impact of the pints when he tried his trademark jump on Saturday.

Wednesday evening saw a slightly earlier than usual GoodGym mission to Hearing Help Essex, Meadow View Cottage. The earlier start was carefully planned to accommodate what we all hoped would be a memorable World Cup football evening. Sadly, some hopes and dreams were left lying on the pitch later that night.

We gathered at 6pm, ready for what could only be described as an epic endurance challenge. By "epic endurance challenge", I of course mean a gentle jog run in the heat. There were three runners taking on the journey: Andy, Rich and myself.

This was my first outing as Run Leader, with Rich acting as my mentor throughout the evening. Think Obi-Wan guiding a slightly confused Luke Skywalker, only with fewer lightsabres and considerably more conversations about football.

We discussed Andy’s football gathering (or "gav" if you're still young enough to know what that means), where apparently gourmet pizzas were being offered to the Good Gym lads. Meanwhile, Rich shared tales of a non-refundable wedding booking from several years ago along with his and Jane’s upcoming vows in a few weeks.

We got stuck into tackling the ever-ambitious weeds in the garden. Armed with determination, gardening gloves and varying levels of horticultural expertise, we made a real difference to the space. There was some discussion on whether they were weeds or a plants.

There was certainly hard work involved, although any references to blood, sweat and tears are probably attributed to events later in the evening involving football rather than gardening.

Poor Sallyann did not get the memo about the change of time and reached us as we coming to a close, but it was lovely to see her.

After a productive session and successful community task completed, we headed home feeling pleased with our efforts and still high on hopes of bringing the World Cup home.

A thanks to Jedi Master Rich for helping this rookie Run Leader survive her first mission. The Force was definitely with us.

Jesus it was basically a one person show. Walker arrived separately to the runners, and did an insane amount while everyone else tidied in the wake of the good work.

Obviously i am talking about Jane, not Rich who showed up late with his most flattering lycra. Jane was a one woman shearing army, not seen such devastation with shears since Andy took his last haircut. Ben made picking up piles of thorns look very easy, great commitment to the cause.

They were very impressed with the job we did on a hot day, shoutout to Sallyann who had to endure me somehow hitting her constantly with a rake.

On the way back we stopped for a brief ice cream break, Leanne stopping the dithering men by shouting SOLERO at the freezer.

I am excited for next week - task and beer fest - but not as excited as Russell is for Binface to hopefully win the by-election.