8 GoodGymers went to Hearing Help Essex to give their garden a tidy while the builders are in doing renovation works. It was great to see Ram back, joining us for his second group run.

After a chatty run, we met Sallyann there, and were about to get stuck in when we realised we didn't have the code to the key safe. Luckily Rich found the email with the code so we didn't have to break in.

Martin and Ben got the tools out, Sallyann got stuck in clearing the path, and Joel took all the weeds round to the compost bins.

While we worked, Andy told us he was looking forward to the Clacton airshow; hopefully it won't be cancelled due to thunderstorms, but if it is, maybe he'll do the run leader training instead 🙂

This week we had a social after the task, so for once we didn't run back to HQ, but ran to Brewhouse instead, where we met Fay. We arrived just as their quiz night was starting, and (after much debate about rivers and county boundaries) came a creditable 5th out of 20.

Well done everyone 💪 Next week we are delivering charity leaflets around Melbourne.

PS Ram gets a Social Media credit for showing group admin Rich how to add his name to the WhatsApp group 🤦‍♀️

Litter picking round Chelmsford with GoodGymers - what better way to spend your birthday?

I met with Rich, Andy, Laurie, Ben, Erin and Joel (henceforth JJ) at HQ. We started with the usual run brief, and for the first time ever, "Are there any illnesses, injuries, or pregnancies?" was answered with a "Yes". Congratulations to Erin & James.

We ran to the old Iceland shop, where we met Sallyann and late sign up Martin, who was able to join us after finishing work in time.

Rich, Laurie, Andy, and I started on the grass verge by the roundabout. There were lots of food wrappers we think had been thrown from cars. Meanwhile, Erin, Sallyann, Martin, JJ and Ben found a grot spot near a bench used by drinkers; the bushes were full of bottles, cans and cigarette butts. Sallyann took the heaviest bottles round to the bin.

We found an abandoned shopping trolley filled with rubbish (which has been reported to the Council), then went behind the car park, where there was more litter in the bushes. In a very short distance, we had collected three bags full, which were left for the Street Care team to pick up.

Back at HQ there were birthday cakes for everyone, and then some of us went to the pub for a post-task pint, and to watch some Morris dancing. Good work everyone.

Next week we are doing a deep clean in the kitchen at Sanctus.

Wise words from Joel McKeown. One of the only things he has ever said I agree with.

Great fun was had by all - good selection of food, great selection of beers!

Same again next time! Rich was clearly still feeling the impact of the pints when he tried his trademark jump on Saturday.

Jesus it was basically a one person show. Walker arrived separately to the runners, and did an insane amount while everyone else tidied in the wake of the good work.

Obviously i am talking about Jane, not Rich who showed up late with his most flattering lycra. Jane was a one woman shearing army, not seen such devastation with shears since Andy took his last haircut. Ben made picking up piles of thorns look very easy, great commitment to the cause.

They were very impressed with the job we did on a hot day, shoutout to Sallyann who had to endure me somehow hitting her constantly with a rake.

On the way back we stopped for a brief ice cream break, Leanne stopping the dithering men by shouting SOLERO at the freezer.

I am excited for next week - task and beer fest - but not as excited as Russell is for Binface to hopefully win the by-election.