What do we always say about Lambeth GoodGymers? No not that.... It's that come rain or shine they will be out getting fit and doing good in the community.

Last night we had the welcome addition of GG tourist and seasoned helper outer Lucy - great to have you along Lucy. So along with Tilly, Fi and AA Yianny we waited for Michael to set off. As Michael is always bang on time it was odd that he wasn't with us yet and it turns out someone had locked the park gates and he couldn't get in! AA went and opened the gate and that meant we could set sail for Holy Trinity.

Nicole was braving the awful rainy weather to meet us outside the church with our latest task - spreading tonnes of gravel around the parking area for the accessible bay.

While Michael and AA headed off to carry a bench down from the other end of the yard the rest if the team set about shovelling, pouring and spreading the gravel neatly around the bay. Sadly only one bag of red gravel had turned up so we didn't quite finish the bay but we did what we could and then it was time to head back.

We were soaked through, cold, numb fingered but satisfied having done a great job!

Well done to all and I look forward to seeing you next time :0)

We had a very small group last night but all the better for a good chat especially as the weather decided to take a turn just as we were setting off from Papa's!

AA Yianny had plenty of time to contemplate all things GoodGym while waiting for Document Checks to come then Fi came blasting in having run down to Brixton (excellent work!), one of us was freezing and one of us was nice and toasty - I'll let you guess who was which!

We set off to Holy Trinity at a nice pace to hold a conversation and in no time we were there, soggy, but in good spirits to meet with Paul and Marie-Noelle who had walked to the task directly.

Nicole, Andy and Naomie from the committee were there to meet us and our task was to stack and move hundreds of chairs (see before and after pics), move some boards and lay out some trestle tables ready for this weekend's Ceili (dance / gathering). AA also popped in for a quick look at the straw bale hall and it is looking fantastic!!

We stacked and wheeled chairs, lifted and shifted the boards, unfolded and placed the tables and that was that, another great job done and all happy all round - not bad for a blustery Tuesday night!

As ever thanks to all and see you next time!

And just like that 2023's Group Runs were done!

Last night we were heading over to Holy Trinity to help out Nicole, Naomi and Adam from the committee as they had a mammoth task for us - there were 7 tonnes of MOT (screed) tacked up in front of the church which needed moving round to the back where it will be spread in front of the community hall.

Else, Tilly and Michael all met AA Yianny at Papa's for a slightly longer (but flat) run across to the task now that Brockwell Park is closed after dusk. Pre-departure conversation turned to one of our favourite topics - languages!

We were blessed by the weather which decided to clear up and give us a rain free run and time at the task although the earlier thunder storms left the ground at Holy Trinity a bit muddy, adding to the challenge of pushing a wheelbarrow full of screed uphill.... No matter, it was a classic GG task, tonnes of stuff to move so we got a full fitness and weights session in this evening and in the end managed to shift two and a half tonnes between all of us which was pretty good going.

As we headed back to base there were chocolatey treats to sustain everyone after all the hard work and of course as a little thank you.

And that as they say was that, 2023 is in the bag (for group runs - don't forget still plenty of Community and Coach Missions left throughout the month) and we look forward to our final get together next week at GG Lambeth's end of year social. The link to sign up is below and we will be meeting directly at Canova Hall in Brixton as the autocratic regime has decided no run or task just pizza and drinks - woohoo!! Lambeth End of Year Social

It just remains for me to say a huge thank you to everyone for all the hard work this year, it has been an absolute pleasure getting fit and doing good with you!

A change of start point last night as we all made our way variously by bike, running or even walking to the task so that we could get an early start as there was plenty to get on with at Holy Trinity Church.

The nights are drawing in but we brushed that off and were looking forward to meeting Nicole and Adam to help paint the newly built eco hall which is annexed onto the church. We were also in celebratory mood as Lambeth has just completed 1000 Community Missions and AA Yianny just had his birthday so there were sweet treats for all at the end!

We were delighted to welcome a long lots of new faces, Daisy, Will, Emma it was great to have you with us, although if you think it's all indoor tasks and cake at GG you are in for an interesting winter....! Fi it was lovely to have you back with us as well.

As everybody changed into their painting clothes (no GG t-shirts were harmed during last night's task) Nicole explained that the walls of the hall are compressed straw covered with clay while interior walls were gypsum board so we had both clay paint and emulsion to contend with. Marie-Noelle and Paul were aproned up and on emulsion duty while Frances, Daisy, Michael, Nathan, Fi and later Will on clay paint (glad to have your extra height Will!)

Daryl had bravely chosen to run over from Peckham for his first Lambeth session and arrived in time to help AA shift some gypsum boards. With every board at c. 40kgs we shifted 640 kilos in total - not bad at all.

Paul then headed over with Adam to stack hundreds of chairs ready for this weekend as well.

Holy Trinity's priest Richard also paid us a visit to see the work in action and gave us a score of 60% for painting technique but 100% for effort and application so we'll take that!

By 8pm it was time to pack up and get stuck in to some cakes, brownies, cookies and non alcoholic fizz and blow up a few balloons to boot. A huge thank you to all for coming out and the ongoing efforts to getting fit by doing good.

See you next time.

Last night you could feel something in the air down at Papa's Park, not figuratively but literally as a group of boys were letting off fireworks in the streets and showering us with sparks!

Appropriately we also had a community meeting against anti-social behaviour in the hall meaning we had plenty of company at our introduction.

With Kaz and Will's bikes safely locked together we were able to set off on a pleasant evening run the flat way through Brockwell Park to our venue at Trinity Rise. We were met there by Marie-Noelle, Paul, Alice and one of Nicole's committee volunteers to give all the greenery a big old haircut.

With a decent sized group we set about trimming, cutting, pulling ivy, avoiding spiky bits, barrowing wood mulch and raking it all into place. By the end of the hour a huge amount of green waste was bagged and ready for collection by the council (see pics) and we would head off in different directions with only AA Yianny, Kaz and Will heading back to Papa's and the rest off home for a well deserved rest.

Thanks to Nicole for providing all the tools we could possibly need and see you all at the next one!

Last night we were back at Trinity Gardens to help out around the church. It was a perfect summer evening with warm weather and golden light so a real pleasure to run in!

Will met AA Yianny at Papa's and we engaged with diverse Brixtonites who were out in force enjoying the sunshine. We chatted with an Eritrean group havi by a party and and a local bike enthusiast with some deep life advice for young people (Will not Yianny obvs!)

Sadly we missed Sarah this evening as we had set off by 7pm which was a shame - see you at next week's Sarah.

Nicole was waiting for us when we arrived with refreshments and all the tools we would need for the task while Maya, Marie-Noelle and Paul all joined us at the task.

This evening we were looking to clear all the weeds from the square in front of the church and then lay the wood chip on top. With various implements we were able to scrape, pull, clip and bag as much weedlife as possible.

By the end of the hour we tidied up and looked back at a job well done. Time for the triumphant group selfie (thanks to Maya for the pics) and also Marie-Noelle for bringing some La Tome cheese from France for us!!

See you next time team!