Today was a fantastic session where thirteen GoodGymers from GG Bexley, GG Greenwich and GG Ealing came together to make a real difference at Crossness Pumping Station, built in the 1800s as part of London's first sewage system.

It was lovely to have Dinali and Ian with us for their first GG task, and celebrate Mo's 10th good deed.

We were met by Tom, the museum's Volunteering Manager who, after a warm welcome, split us into two groups.

'Team Ballast' worked with regular volunteer Rob and others on the narrow gauge railway. We dug out a shallow trench under the lifted tracks, and shoveled in ballast stones to help restore the line ready for re-opening to the public.

Rob said that it would have taken one person a whole day to complete what we achieved in just one hour 💥.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the site in the Victorian Formal Garden, 'Team Lavendar' was busy cutting back lavender. It smelled lovely! The cuttings will be used to make bars of soaps, which will be sold in the shop.

For both teams it was amazing to see how much we could accomplish by working together.

After tea and biscuits in the Ness Cafe, we had a brief look at the historical display of toilets in the museum - including one of the first flushing models by Thomas Crapper.

Then we put on hard hats and safety glasses, for Tom's tour of the incredible engine hall, giving the opportunity to learn more about the history and engineering behind this fascinating place.

We certainly put all our senses to work, including experiencing some of the distinctive smells associated with the historic pumping station and its original purpose 💩!

Overall, it was a brilliant opportunity to contribute to the local area, learn about its history and engineering, and make a positive impact through volunteering, and show that when we come together and work as a team, we can achieve so much more than we could alone.

We hope to help out at the museum more regularly from now, on so watch thus space if you'd like to join us!

10 Goodgym runners from numerous boroughs came together this morning for our first Community Mission down at the Crossness Engines Pumping Station

It was great to meet Matthew, Jenny and Pieter from Greenwich Goodgym and have Sarah and Johnny join us again from Hammersmith & Fulham. As we waited outside of the gate on the Thames Path, we were met by Rob and Greg who are regular volunteers at the site and made our way into the building. The task was to clean the windows inside the museum to prepare for the re-opening and family open days. We decided to form a sort-of a production line with runners taking on different jobs.

• dusting
• washing
• chamoising
• polishing

After a short while, we were done with most of the windows, so carried on with cleaning the outsides.

As work came to an end, we enjoyed having a nose around the museum which is based on the "Great Stink" and all things sewage and toilet related 🚽💩.
We were even lucky enough to be allowed into the old Victorian Engine Rooms and were given a brief history of the Pumping Station.

Fueled on tea & biscuits, we headed out, back onto the Thames path where some of the group made their way home, while others ran an out and back.

Thanks everyone for coming, the guys were grateful for what we achieved in the short time.
I know there are a few other projects going on at the site so keep your eyes peeled for the next Community Mission.