New session yesterday at an allotment in Plaistow, courtesy of Rosie. A quartet met and discussed "worst thing you've watched live or otherwise?" Tree of Life, an awful trippy opera, a theatrical performance you starred in, and a book you read that was butchered in the theatre.

We reached St Mary's allotments and met the Princes, with a hum of helicopters circling the flames over the police station, the soundtrack to this week's efforts. Elaine took us through to the fences I underestimated - "let us know if you have any other jobs, we'll do the fences in no time". The were hefty and sizeable things, compounded by a lack of light, a very narrow path and a lot of thorns. The two quotes we heard yesterday "it got me", as thorns gripped into Rebecca's body. And in deadpan tones "it's on my foot", calmly referring to the razor sharp edge of a 100kg ish fence, fortunately no feet were lost during this good deed.

Cracking team work, which is almost a given with you guys. Next week we hit up Get Out, sign up here.

Have a decent weekend all,

Till next week,

B

Half of us met on a fresh December eve, the penultimate session of the year. We spoke about "things that make you feel young?" Helping older people with technology, getting ID'd, bickering with a sibling and spending all day with kids. A selection of youth serums you can't buy in the shops.

With a snaking journey to Plaistow Primary, we never wavered in doubt with Hilary's navigation. A doubling of numbers at the school, with Hitesh, Rosa and Rosie meeting us there, well Rosie just stayed there. She took us through to the designated wrapping room and we got to work. A lovely gift from the parents to raise funds so all kids could have a xmas present. We wrapped solidly for forty five minutes, some better than others, but let's not get into that again, there's no I in team, and all that. EIGHTY TWO presents were wrapped, I had no idea how many we would do, but I'll take that. Stupendous work guys, that's a huge haul of gifts, and massively offloaded some work off the next batch of wrappers. Excellent session Rosie, in spite of your caretaker's lack pf enthusiasm, that was a refreshingly different task (and warm).

Next week we go indoors again and help feed those in need, sandwich making at Emanuel Church, sign up here. Followed by the traditional GGN XMAS Shin Dig, not to be missed. Details will be released asap.

Bank some cold miles and have a good week.

Till next week,

B

We welcomed Rebecca on her first ever GoodGym session, and also Jack for his first with Newham, touristing down from Barnet. Great to meet you both, hope to see you again soon!

The evening’s numbers benefited from Ruth’s six monthly reverse commute from Chelmsford as well as the regulars in the form of Paul, Brad and Matt, we had a decent size turnout to lend some compost moving capability down at Rosie’s school.

But first, we paid tribute to Brahma’s traditional Random Weekly Question – topically (in the context of the King’s speech), what law/legislation would you introduce or get rid of? I now realise what a challenge it is to remember what everyone has said, but it went something along the lines of getting rid of visa restrictions/the monarchy/20mph limits/lifetime ISA limits/north sea oil and gas licenses but we’re going to make trains free. All interesting answers…

Next we hopped down the Greenway, passing the Cathedral of Sewage and the bit that smells at the moment but not normally (honest) before taking a left down towards our destination at Plaistow Primary School. We were there to help set up a couple of beds for some very small children to grow veg. Hurrah! What a great thing to do – it involved scraping sand out of a playhouse type thing, digging out the weeds and emptying the beds ready to line them with said scraped sand and then a load of new compost so that they’re ready to plant up and be enjoyed.

Job done, we headed back up the Greenway to the PrintHouse to enjoy a pint of orange juice and lemonade or similarly refreshing beverages.

See you next week – we’re back at the Up Garden, which is always a top session. Sign up here.

Double digits out to help Plaistow Primary, and celebrate Stephen's birthday. "Contradictions you regularly make" was our weekly discussion; and we roughly stuck to the brief: Two flat-mates, one an XR trooper, the other a Government Energy Department employee - keen to hear that one unfold. Eating things you know aren't healthy, or specifically munching a family bag of choccies and washing it down with a diet coke. Having a deep concern for the environment but blazing the heating, leaving the lights on and the fridge door open, who in hell is this buffoon? Desperate to delegate tasks but hate relinquishing control, because, let's be honest, you do it best. Fuscia is your favourite colour but in practice you have wear/own nothing in said hue. Wanting to go on a pub crawl of all the grimy and uninviting looking local boozers. Being a teacher, and basically everything you say. Oh, and saying "yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.....NO".

With a nascent Storm Agnes wafting sewer plant aromas along The Greenway, we shuffled on and chewed the weekly fat. Extra firepower, in the form of Dan and Rosa, met us at the school. Rosie gave us the instructions, a simple dig-out and dig-in job for the edible garden. The moon beamed magnificently above between blowing cloaks of cloud...and the team, well, they got the job done. With some folks opting to stand imperiously on the bed, others went more conventional. I knicked Brads fork, and his spade. Connie got a decent herb haul for her dehydrator (need to google this). Apple cake was devoured post task, at the school, a rather fitting and refined ending to a great sesh. With the wind in our sails and a tonne of glucose in our veins we shot back to base. Thanks one and all.

Next week it's oddly enough another school, our old regular, Manorfield Primary School. Sign up here for the old times! It's another lovely canal run - you shan't be disappointed.

There's a load of great community missions happening this weekend, including a Sat Parkrun too. Check the listings, or ask in the whatsapp group, but lot's of options this weekend peeps. Have a good one, whatever you do.

Till next week,

B

The call went up from Rosie not only one of GG Newham but deputy head at Plaistow School a delivery of furniture had arrived and could we help put it together. We do like a school visit

Sadly Brahama was unwell so asked Kev and I to lead this weeks task.

Thanks to issues with the trains I was running late so arrived to find a very chilly team so we quickly headed off down the Greenway

The fast group arrived,split into teams and started the build......after a couple of wrong turns and meeting Paul on route the rest of the team arrived.

After locating some additional tools units and table were completed we headed back in to the extra chilly night for our Christmas social.

A few faces missing so may have to arrange a New Year celebration.

Abbey Gardens next week sign up

This mission had a particular resonance for the three of us signed up to help out at Plaistow Primary School on a quiet Wednesday evening. This is Newham GoodGymmer Rosie’s school, where she’s Deputy Head, and all of the children in Year 5 learn to play the flute together. These lessons are thankfully continuing over the current school closure and the parents of most children had already come to collect the instruments, so we were there to ensure the safe journey of the remaining 11 instruments that hadn’t been possible to collect.

Back in the day, Graham reached the dizzying heights of Grade 2 (or possibly 3, the memory is apparently a bit hazy) on the flute before his musical talents evolved to the point where he’s able and willing to belt out a couple of Lighthouse Family numbers at the drop of a hat. Rosa is a violinist, soon to be lead fiddle player with GoodGym Newham’s own ceilidh band (probably… this is currently something of a pipe dream following a bout of reminiscing over last year’s Burns Night party). And in normal times I’d usually spend a few nights each week carting a cello or double bass around London to rehearse with various amateur orchestras. So we each have some idea of what it means to be able to learn to play an instrument – it isn’t that much about careers in music, except perhaps for a select few, but a whole world of opportunity to be opened up through access to music of any genre. The joys of making music with other people - friendships, creativity, teamwork, plus loads of other transferable skills. An educational journey that will continue for life if you want it to. The arts are essential and I’m so glad we were able to provide just a little bit of help with access for these children in difficult times.