"Ashdown Crescent, you say?"

"That's right, Ashdown Crescent"

"Ashdown Crescent, neighbour to Queen's Crescent?"

"Oh yes that's the one, Ashdown Crescent right by Queen's Crescent"

"Mmmmm I think I have indeed passed that crescent, the Ashdown Crescent, the one by the Queen's Crescent!"

"Oh yes I should think you have! We all know Ashdown Crescent, the crescent next to the Queen's Crescent"

Which, fellow friends, has been the dialogue in my brain ever since 'Ashdown Crescent' entered my ears. Was this really a real place? Had my life finally become irreparably conjoined with Jane Austen's? Was I actually featuring in an episode of Downton Abbey?

RIGHT - ENOUGH OF THIS SILLINESS - I HAVE AN EVENING OF GOOD DEEDING TO TELL YOU ABOUT!

Nine of us - nine of us without (unless appropriate evidence is forthcoming) regal connections - battled the evening's business to make our ways to this special sheltered housing complex just to the West of Kentish Town. Home to 35 local residents, Ashdown supports independent living and community in a hidden pocket of green just off the main thoroughfare.

Our wonderful group of Alex, Caitlin, Dan, Emilie, Emre, Giulia (on their first good deed - you're very welcome!), Sarah, and Steve mirrored a crack team of altruistic gardening experts. Having been warmly welcomed by Frezghi and Paul, this group needed little more than a blink to divide themselves into productivity.

Alex and Giulia got straight to pruning and weeding an overlooked section of walled garden - Caitlin, Dan, and Emre honed in on the middle bank of the garden, pulling weeds and re-composting - Emilie and Sarah started an evening-long battle with two compost drums in need of emptying and refreshing - and Steve got to work with the largest broom I have ever seen on a GoodGym task.

Over 45 minutes, this group made a material and visible difference, and I know the residents at Ashdown will be grateful! We'll certainly be back this summer to do even more :)

Thank you, all, for your work and energy - it was a joy to see you all!!

Back in the distant winter, the friendly folks at Social Action for Health asked for our help.

We'd quite like to use this room - for our volunteers - for the community - but............... it may be quite a job, Alex........ do you really think GoodGym is up to the task?

They got me, folks - my pride was irked - of course GoodGym was up to the task!

Well I think we'll do this in 2 sessions - perhaps 2 and a half - 3 at most!

Was my response before I turned, held my head high, and went off to worry about how we'd do this.

And yet here we are, some 7 - 8 sessions later and having just finished our final spots of redecorating makeover!!

Across 2 months, multiple GoodGymers from across London have made their special mark on this space. We started by removing brackets, then learnt how to use Polyfilla, before sanding, more sanding, even more sanding, and then the undercoat, main coat #1, radiators, pipes, main coat #2, and, after all that, our final session this week touching up corners and freshening the room's skirtings!

Our merry, capable, and interesting group of Alex, Charlie, Jackie, John, Lici, Louise, Steve, and Suzanna composed our wonderful team applying this session's special final touches, and it was a joy to spend time with each of you!!

Over the coming weeks, the team at Social Action will be thinking about furnishings and openings, and I'm hopeful we can host a bring and share social in the space when it's ready for the community to use!

Awesome and amazing work, everyone - thank you so much :)