🥶Brrrrr the weather has dropped!!!!🥶 Not enough for James to wear trousers but enough for us to put some energy into the session tonight:)

We all met on time at Hainault station🚉, which wasn't really that busy so we had plenty of space and not too much in a way of commuters! As the air was fresh, we got a move on quickly by dividing and concurring today's tasks to keep us warm: * Linda was in charge of picking out litter and a million of cigarrette butts from the community planters, * James was responsible for planting lovely pansies, donated by StreetTaggers (thank you!), * Anit was topping up the planters with fresh compost and * Julia was dividing the plants between the planters, planting them out and taking photos:)

We were a lean mean productive machine, getting it all done in 25 minutes or so! Our energy has attracted some grateful looks but also a bit of a concern for Linda when a passer-by approached o enquire if she was ok!!!😂

Once the community good-deeding was done we went on a highly-energetic walk around the block, stopping every now and then for some tricep dips, press ups, sit-ups and lunges!!! Half way through we were met by a lovely black cat who gave us all a little rub and cuddle!

Overall we managed to walk for 3.6km which is very decent and we got a good workout in - just in time for dinner;)

Well done everyone for showing up and getting some exercise done! Next week we are in Wanstead for some baby-bank goodness - don't forget to SIGN UP.

Wow! What an amazing turn out of GG members we had at Frenford Foodbank today. We had 9 signed up initially, some late sign ups and some too late to sign ups (who turned up anyway 😊) and a couple who also brought friends along. I did my best to ensure everyone was included in the photos, sincere apologies if anyone still got lost in the crowd.

A big welcome to newcomer Jay who not only turned up for his first Good Gym session and got stuck straight in he brought a friend who also got stuck in and is now planning to join GG. Talking of which Pauline also brought a very helpful friend who is now thinking of joining up.

Its always a little busy at these sessions but with a additional massive donation arriving this week and so many people me "organised chaos" is the expression that comes to mind. As usual everyone got on with the job of preparing food packages, dealing with the lack of space with grace, courtesy and agility.

Between helping the drivers out with deliveries, we set about organising the huge delivery and pretty soon there were big spaces and empty crates where walls of goods had been, and a full storage shed and replenished shelves appeared ready for the next one.

It has been suggested that if they get another big donation of goods like that again that it would be a good idea for an additional session before we prepare the orders.

Good Job Good Gym and Friends 😁

First of all, it was very nice to be back in the new year with some of the usual suspects (yes Anit I think we can class you as one now) , welcome back an old face in Ed and most importantly the pleasure of meeting the lovely Rebecca for her first ever Goodgym experience!

Secondly, apologies for the lack of pictures showing everyone in action. My excuse is the damp windy weather and lack of decent light / poor camera, although to be honest was probably too busy catching up with people!

To ease us into the new year after perhaps a little over-indulgence it seemed a good idea to patrol the different planters & sections created by the Wanstead Community Gardeners, or in short, Marians crew. Quite a few of those have had a significant Goodgym involvement as well, so we are always keeping an eye on them. Walking round the green we made our way to the tube station and on along the high street, chatting away while filling up a couple of bags, with Rebecca fitting in as if she had been coming for ages! Bags deposited in the street bins, we set off getting in a run/jog/walk to get the legs moving as well as warm up in the windy weather.

A relaxed meander ended with almost perfect timing when the walking group and running group arrived back at base at about the same time!

Back in the warmth of our little 'home' it turned out that Rebecca might even have been the best prepared 1st timer ever - besides knowing where to be and what to do, she came prepared with paperwork to start the DBS process so she can be involved in more aspects of Goodgym!

Chief (Queen?) Julia has been working on some dates to visit the Baby Bank, so keep an eye out for one of those coming up soon!

Next weeks group run will be in Hainault as per normal schedule, back in Wanstead on the 23rd - hope to see you then!