This week we were back at the new Ideas Hub HQ. Before decorating can begin, there is loads of equipment and fittings to be removed, and remnants of the old Chinese restaurant to be stripped and dismantled.

It was great to welcome new GoodGymer Fiona to her first group run. She got straight into helping Edith move boxes and equipment out of the way ready for the café to be fitted.

Sallyann, Joel and me had the sticky job of stripping the decades old decals from the windows using a heat gun. It took a bit of practice (and some tips from Gemini and Google) but we eventually got the hang of it.

Ben and David grabbed hammers and crowbars to remove the old skirting boards, and when that was done they moved on to kitchen. They were having so much fun demolishing the old boards, it took three attempts to drag them out when it was time to leave.

Sallyann and Fiona washed up while we cleared the floor, and there was time for a quick tour for those who hadn't seen the new digs, and a look at the new tiles that have been laid since we were last here.

Edith said there would be lots more work for us over the coming months.

We ran back the short way, and went home to scrub the industrial glue from our fingers.

Great work everyone 💪 and a special well done to Fiona for coming to her first task, we hope to see you again soon.

Led by the wonderful Edith, the Ideas Hub has been supporting underrepresented communities in Chelmsford since 2011, and after moving from temporary location to temporary location, they finally have a permanent home where they can grow roots.

Rich lead Richard and Ram there on a 2km run, and arrived a minute after Jane and Sallyann, who walked there the short way.

Tilers were coming the next day to fit a new floor, so the first job was to prepare the ground, peeling off old bits of carpet underlay, and chipping off rough pieces of concrete. Richard immediately asked if there was a hammer, and started on the concrete, joined by Ram. In the other room, Sallyann and Jane had a go at the old bits of carpet.

Before we left, Edith gave us a tour of the building and told us some of her plans for the place, including cooking workshops and movie nights featuring food cooked by the refugee communities. There is a lot of work to do before they can open, the old kitchen needs gutting, and there'll be lots of cleaning and decorating. We'll be back here next week to see the new floor, and to help with some more jobs.

Thanks all for coming and we will back their again next week to continue the good work.

We started today with some excellent news - our award winning DJ Andy announced he had joined social media!

This evening, we met in the light and did our usual slightly longer way round along the bunny walks as our task was only on the High St.

Fay and Jess were ready to go, so Edith told us the plan and everyone engaged their biceps for moving shelves and stock from the old store to the new, followed by other items upstairs into storage.

Jen and Ben put on high vis, and wheeled a couple of large units outside and up to the storage area; presumably Joel and Russell helped, but the photos suggest less heavy lifting by them.

Excellent task and workout everyone! Best of luck to the Art Place team for moving into their new space ready for opening on Saturday.

See you all soon,

Laurie

Hello Chelmsford!

Both our battlecry and the theme of the night's mission. On a freezing Wednesday night we met for a walking tour led by Alan, a bit of a local legend.

Really interesting tour with some highlights below!

• County prison in 1660 was where Toni and Guy now is, presumably where Andy used to go for his crimes against fashion
• Chelmsford is named after Coelmaer's ford, from the Saxon times and that spot is the roundabout outside Tesco!
• From 1-5 July 1381 chelmsford was the capital of England! (Well technically Writtle but Leanne and Jess said that counts as Chelmsford)
• Charles Dickins stayed at the MetroBank, not a Metro at the time but a pub, check out the blue plaque, and clearly lived up to the first four letters of his surname saying after not being able to find a newspaper on a Sunday, "If any one were to ask me what in my opinion was the dullest and most stupid spot on the face of the Earth, I should decidedly say Chelmsford".
• Alan's first blue plaque in Chelmsford was Dr Ben Pugh, just above the Cornish Bakery and there for a legend who helped make Chelmsford one of the first towns to get rid of smallpox and developed a pipe to clear baby's airways after birth which is still recognised today. All some forceps which sounded unpleasant...
• In 1808 there was the great fire of Chelmsford leaving about 11 dead. Glad we don't have private fire brigades now
• Ben studied the difference between a public and a private blue plaque (Marconi on Saracen's Head). Or the drink deals, not sure which took his eye.
• Judge Tindall was the first to use grounds of insanity to not convict someone. I've attempted to use this to my wife when I miss the last train but to no avail
• Only three buildings in England have the same recipe of white stone as the part of the cathedral which retained it after the collapse when they dug a grave too close to a pillar and it all collapsed (sounds like a task GoodGym could have done better!) . The other two aren't as famous as the second smallest cathedral in England - King George Chapel in Windsor and Buckingham Palace

There was also loads more information on the tour - and Alan runs loads of these with the Chelmsford Civic Society. Check them out: https://www.chelmsfordcivicsociety.co.uk/index.html

I will be looking out for the tours of the Shire Hall once permission is received!

Armed with the local knowledge the plan is to use it for our walk and talk sessions to help develop language skills.

Happy running and wrap up warm!

7 GoodGymers got involved with this month's walk and talk, it was also Martin's first foray into run leading and it was good to see Erin back after a while off. After a word perfect introductory briefing we set off towards Central Park, dodging commuters along the way. We arrived to find Sallyann and Leanne ready and waiting and Edith and the group from the Ideas Hub arrived shortly after. We took at leisurely stroll up to Admiral's park and the gym equipment area. Rich showed off his prowess on many of the machines. There was also a monkey bar competition, but Richard decided he liked his shoulders in one piece and didn't take part, seemed sensible to me! We made our way back to Central Park and said goodbye to Edith and the group and then those that were going that way headed back to HQ where we did some excellent stretching.

Congratulations to Leanne for her 50th good deed and see you next week for some more GoodGyming.

5 of us met at the gym and quickly decided it was too hot to run, so a lovely walk and chat to the task was in order. Which was a also to be a lovely walk and chat.

Tonight we were to meet up with Edith from the Ideas Hub and meet some of the lovely people who are currently refugees and attending her English classes. We met at the cathedral and then walked along the bunny walks to Arun Park where there are many football pitches. Her classes must be popular as it seemed like at least 20 guys had turned up and ready to chat and practice their English.

We split into smaller groups and chatted away in the evening sun along the green pathway. Sayed and Jason are keen at sport and like to go swimming and to gym, and Hassan was curious if Chelmsford had a boxing gym ( I didn't know). But we all agreed we loved food and talked about our favourite dishes ( mine is whatever is in front of me).

We walked up to the Park and i unfortunately think that we have been challenged to a football match the next time we meet up ( oh dear). So better start practicing your keepy uppies peeps.

We walked back to the gym, said our goodbyes, shook hands and went our separate ways to have our dinners. Thanks for coming guys and see you next week where we will be going up to the Beaulieu Community Centre for a spot of painting.

and remember

Run ( or walk) HAPPY

Rich