I was hoping to be really witty and write the report in the style of the lyrics to Ian Dury and the Blockheads "Reasons to be Cheerful Part III" (Google it) but alas there weren't enough GoodGymers attending or enough task items available at tonight's task for me to compile a clever long ditty. So here's the report in the normal style.

It was a third visit to Swindon's Central Community Centre to finally complete the painting of the stairwell that had been started by Simon and Charles on the first visit with Simon and Helen completing the 'middle bit'. Kirsty, Gaby and Charles were on hand to complete the job of sprucing up the door frames and skirting boards located at the top of the stairs. The main concern was to try and ensure that no paint got splashed onto Kirsty's multi-coloured jeggings, but thankfully no jeggings were harmed in the making of tonight's task. However Gaby somehow managed to get paint on both the top of her head and onto the bottom of her shoe! With the three of us beavering away we managed to complete the job in no time at all, and the stairwell now looks bright, clean and fresh.

We've suggested that we can come back here another time and spruce up some of the other rooms in the centre. I hope we do, as it's a lovely little task that is easily accessible for everyone to get to, so we hope to see more of you at the next one.

Two GoodGymers arrived at the community centre to carry out part 2 of the decorating challenge to finish brightening up the stairwell up to the offices.

The Centre is operated by the Mechanics’ Institution Trust and located in the historic Railway Village. The building was actually a 19th century hospital for the railway workers.

The Trust was very pleased with the work and no doubt more will follow!

It was a return to the Swindon Central Community Hall for a double task of painting and weeding. Simon and Charles grabbed the paint roller and Gaby the garden trowel for some outdoor weed removal outside our favourite cafe the Baker's Cafe as they prepared to receive some new outdoor dining tables. Simon and Charles made as much progress in painting the Centre's stairwell. Although numbers were low what was achieved was high and we look forward to returning in due course to finish the task.

It's Tuesday night, it's GoodGym Swindon Group run night!

On the hottest day since July, Autumn came early for us this year with a leaf-gathering task at the Central Community Centre in the Railway Village.

We've recently been supporting the Railway Village get ready for Heritage Open Days) with a dusting task in the Bristol Street Tunnel. The whole area is looking spic and span ready for the whole heap of things taking place at the weekend.

Four of us gathered at Sainsburys Bridgemead on a sunny evening, and set off the 2.3km towards the Railway Village. Running along via Penzance drive, under the railway bridge and along Church Place and Bristol St, we arrived at the Central Community Centre.

There, we met the both delightful Karen and Helen who shared some of the plans for the weekend (plus some lovely plum cake!), then we were joined by Gaby, and we got to leaf clearing behind the Central Community Centre!

In no time, we had cleared an unbe-leaf-able amount of leaves and helped sweep up as well! There was plenty of opportunities for chatting with this task too. Emma took the pics, and the caretaker joined us again to take the all important group pic in front of the Mechanics' Institute itself.

We said our goodbyes to Karen, Helen and Gaby, and we started running back. We even added an extra fitness element by running around a busy Faringdon Park, full of people enjoying the late summer sun.

Before we knew it, we racked up a 5.5km run in total and were back at Sainsbury's in the sun, and stopped to natter a while before going our separate ways. Well done everyone, and big congratulations to Alethia (A-leaf-ia?!) for smashing her first run back in 6 months!

Good Dees galore with GoodGym Swindon: Next week, we're Gardening at Chippenham Close Community Centre

Regular Community Missions are going on to support the Steam Vaccine Centre!

Or get involved with some of our life-changing work with older people, either via Missions or by pairing with a coach

Isn't it good to be back doing Group Runs? It's great to be back together and blowing away the cobwebs - in more ways than one!

This week we ran about 4km from Tesco Extra to Bristol Street Tunnel and back, to help spruce it up in preparation for Heritage Open Days on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September.

Some exciting things are happening in Swindon's much loved Railway Village. A five-year plan to revitalise the area has been created with Historic England who have declared it a Heritage Action Zone. They have provided funding and support to:

• Enhance key Historic buildings and spaces (Health Hydro, Carriage Works, the Cricketers, GWR Park and the Mechanics Institution)
• Improve public spaces and footpaths which form the setting for the historic buildings
• Raise awareness of Swindon's Railway Heritage and promote the area as a place of interest

The Heritage Action Zone outcomes are being boosted by Town Deal Funding from Central Government which will:

• Refurbish the Health Hydro to create a major leisure and cultural attraction to draw in visitors to Swindon Town Centre
• Deliver the next phase of the Carriage Works for use by business and educational organisations
• Enhance Station Road and the Bristol Street and Sheppard Street tunnels to improve connectivity and encourage more pedestrian and cycle movements within the town centre

In readiness for Heritage Open Days, we were called in to help give the Bristol St tunnel a spring clean to ensure it is looking its best for potential visitors, and anyone making the key journey from the outlet area towards the town centre.

Meeting at Tesco, we then kept things inclusive, all walking to meet Karen at Bristol St Tunnel. Karen is extremely passionate advocate for the project there, and also cooks the best brownies! Cake based bribery is the best way to get us to a task!

After a fascinating chat about what's upcoming in the Railway Village, we got a-cleaning:

• Gina made the SWINDON WORKS letters sparkle!
• Adam and Richard swept up!
• Sam was on cobweb commission!
• While Charles, who met us at the tunnel, got busy with the dust pan and brush.
• Meanwhile, Mike took photos, and did a little dusting with the most colourful duster possible!

The tunnel's caretaker also helped us out!

We even made some friends with some creepy crawlies - check out the photos for an epic worm while Adam was doing some additional de-weeding.

We were soon done and dusted, and everything was looking shipshape and Bristol (st) fashion!

We helped Karen with the cleaning kit back to her car, and off we went - either running home, or walking back to Tesco!

Want more GoodGym gorgeousness? Next week, we're Weeding and Planting in the Remembrance Garden at the Prospect Hospice

Regular Community Missions are going on to support the Steam Vaccine Centre!

Or get involved with some of our life-changing work with older people, either via Missions or by pairing with a coach

Lockdown is finally easing and GoodGym Swindon are back out there doing good in the community!

We’ve already done some litter picking, sent letters to the residents of Prince Rupert and Margaret Matthews Court and done a virtual parkrun takeover! Then again you could even say lockdown never stopped us, with us picking up shopping for the isolated, socially distanced gardening and collected prescriptions. That’s without even mentioning the Zoom parties and quizzes!

This week, we were back at the pub formerly known as the Cricketers’ and around the Central Community Centre in the Railway Village, for some weeding and leaf clearing! Both are looked after by the Mechnics’ Institution Trust, a local charity devoted to community development and heritage. We last helped out here back at Halloween (fancy dress not required this time around!), but also had our Christmas Meal at the Baker’s Café.

We all gradually arrived, warmly welcomed by Andy from the Mechanics’ Institution Trust, and after some brief 'hellos' and 'how you doings', we got stuck in.

Knocking weeds for six by the Cricketers’ was Charles, Kirsty and Becky. The former pub patio was soon gardened, and then given out (guess which Run Reporter has been enjoying the cricket returning)?! The Cricketers’ team also discovered a lone high-heeled shoe!

That’s just not cricket!

Meanwhile, leaf clearing the car park was Teresa, Gaby and Tracey who had been super organised and even brought some tools to help out!

Do you know the thing about plant puns? They really grow on you!

After one or two short showers, we knew we needed to get a run on. We cleared the last few weeds, shared some snacks and news, and Andy even took an obligatory socially distanced group photo for us! Pleased with a deed goodly done, we went out separate ways just as it started chucking it down!

What’s coming up with GoodGym Swindon?

This evening, Stuart is bingo calling. Will we have a full house?!

This Friday we’re Lifting, Shifting and Sorting at Swindon Night Shelter’s Warehouse.

Check regularly to see if there’s any new missions listed too.