12 goodgymers assembled to help the Northfield allotments team prepare the petrifying pumpkin trail for locals. We were planning to help out for 3 hours, but after little over an hour we'd checked off all the tasks on our list to great applause. Many hands really do make fright work!

We started the morning by moving the marquee/gazebo (not table) into position and getting the tables out. A mega cleanup mission then commenced as we wiped numerous tables and chairs to get them "allotment" clean. We then got the tables and chairs into position, hung up the pumpkin decorations and popped some lights into the portoloos. A small but mighty team went on a side quest to fill any pot holes along the path with woodchip.

As we finished in record time, we headed to a local coffee shop to refuel. Some of us came back later to make the most of our complimentary entry and refreshment kindly offered by the Northfield allotments team for our efforts.

Unfortunately the Crypt kitchen at St John’s Church is still not functioning. Once again the chefs (Gayle and Nigel) used the upstairs kitchen and transported food downstairs by trolley. It’s not ideal but it means the clients get a hot meal. Chicken pasta bake (or vegetarian option) was very popular and this week there was plenty leftover for takeaways. I was on washing up duty for the first hour then switched to serving and clearing up. Both tasks kept me pretty busy but, as always, it was great to be there.

On Saturday afternoon, after a long break following a surprisingly efficient Pumpkin Trail Setup task, Nima, Michelle, Maria, Sevan and Kash reconvened at Ealing Common. There, they met Barnet GoodGymer, Cherian - a frequent guest at the Ealing tasks.

The mission was to cut overhanging branches obstructing the view from The Common road and the path inside the green space. Loppers and saws were in operation for 90 minutes, and the results were stunning! The whole stretch of trees between Grange Road and Uxbridge Road had their crowns lifted.

In arboricultural jargon, crown lifting means removing lower tree limbs to create more space underneath. This allows more light through, makes it easier for pedestrians to pass and improves visibility. As a result, the area looks more open and welcoming, feels safer and can help discourage antisocial behaviour.

Who would have thought GoodGym had so many naturally talented tree surgeons! Great work, everyone!

Halloween month and its trickle treat time but for Goodgymers its not sweets or chocolates they are interested in but the trash that they find in the borough. Scary scenes in our boroughs with the usual cans, fast food, bags of crisps and the laughing cans

I visited Mr G the night before Halloween. The route to the mission gave me the opportunity to run past the best-decorated house between South Ealing and South Acton, at least when it comes to Halloween and Christmas. This October, it didn't disappoint!

Mr G hadn't put out any pumpkins, but he did have his wardrobes open – with no skeletons to be found inside. He's been banishing the ghosts of his former fashion-obsessed self. He kept wondering how on earth he'd managed to accumulate so many outfits throughout the years. He's been making good progress in minimising his wardrobe, though, and had I been a man of his size, he'd probably have offered me one of his shirts.

There were no surprises on Mr G's shopping list, perhaps with the exception of a box of tea, which, obviously, isn't something one needs to buy every week. In Sainsbury's, I came across a particularly dark-green, fresh-looking Savoy cabbage, and I immediately knew it was 100% Mr G's type. I was right.

"This is fantastic!" he exclaimed, as he laid eyes on such an agreeable vegetable.

It was lovely to see him smiling, and to see his spirits lifted so much by nothing more than a visit from a GoodGymer with a pretty cabbage.

Halloween day and was expecting to see more Halloween decorations at Mr T. I walked into the lounge to only find my skeleton friend alone - Boo!!!As Mr T got his lounge repainted during the week, the hooks he had on the ceiling to hang his decorations had disappeared so he could not hang anything at all. He didn't have any left and the painter forgot to bring him some as promised. Boohoo - such a shame but still Happy Halloween TO ALL.