Yesterday James and I went to Camberwell to help SE5 Forum set up their stall at the market. When we arrived, Barbara had already started with her team of two people, so we had plenty of hands this week. I helped by putting all the stock on to the tables to make a display. Meanwhile James was given to task to doing some tidying in the store room.

The last task was to set up the iPad and card reader, which we did too. By then it was 10am, so we left with a photo and a wave, feeling like we'd accomplished something already, on a Saturday morning 🌅

Two weeks in a row that Andres needed more time to clean up and close down Old Spike first, so he asked kindly that Sam waited outside as having GoodGymers inside slows everything. Once he was done, Sam came in and proceeded to welcome in the runners coming in for tonight's group run to Thorlands: Steve, Tim, Isaac, Nathan, Lindy, Nelly, Daryl and Claire as they caught up on the past week.

After Sam delivered his intro speech, they made their way to the alleyway (as it was closer and a few people dropped off their bags and bikes in Old Spike, Sam led the warm-up before asking his ice-breaker question for the week: Since was World Emoji Day two days ago and the start of the Women's World Cup tomorrow, the two questions are: what is your favourite emoji / what is still the biggest barriers to women's football?

Lots of people thought of the 💩, but we also had: 🤙, 🙌, 😬, 😍 and 👀 and for the Women's football question, lots agreed on better pay, sponsorship, facilities, access to the game via media and in big stadiums plus cultural and societal shifts.

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Float like a feather, sting like a bee

Dashing through the backstreet of Peckham and Denmark Hill, we were just about to arrive at Thorlands when Nelly tripped and fell. Luckily, she was not hurt and Sam gave her a wet wipe to wipe her hands that had a graze. The group walked the last 400 metres to meet Simon, Magda, Jo, Jessie, Paulin and James who were waiting for us at the task. Thanks to Daryl for backmarking.

Simon had brought over all the tools and handed over the keys to Sam, so he could get access to the Walled Garden for more tools (if needed). The tasks were simple enough - continue clearing the Forest Garden. Simon made the decision to cut down the buddleia tree as it was in the way and remove two Pyracantha scrubs that were in the way of creating a new garden bed.

Isaac was in the mood to cut down the buddleia tree and claimed the saw. He was joined by Steve and Tim to safely chop this tree down. Paulin, James, Nathan, Jessie and Jo took care of trimming and bagging up the buddleia stems, twigs and shoots. Lindy, Claire and eventually, Daryl took care of trimming down the Pyracantha bushes and removing the root stump of one of them. The final group, which had Daryl, Magda and Nelly were in charge of moving a pile of sticks from point A (near a tree) to point B (next to the gate).

Whilst Sam was away in the Walled Garden as he had to get more tools and bin liners for the litter and bindweed, he heard someone in the group yelping, so he went to check it out and was advise not to come into the Forest Garden as Daryl and Magda had just got stung by wasps. Everyone ensured that they were away from the area. After Sam checked that Daryl and Magda were fine (and not allergic to the sting), he made sure the rest of the team concentrated on the other tasks and only when the wasps had calm down and they had to leave the Forest Garden could they head out via the gate.

After putting away the tools and saying our goodbyes to those departing from Thorlands, it was great to see the end of this eventful group run!

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Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out tonight! Firstly, apologies to Daryl and Magda for getting stung by wasps and to Nelly for her little trip on the run over to Thorlands. Secondly, thank you to everyone for getting stuck in with all the tasks that you were given. We managed to clear quite a lot despite the setbacks.

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Thank You to Simon

GoodGym is all about getting fit and doing good! We praise the runners/cyclists/walkers who come to get fit and help out, but we often forget about our task owner. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Simon for preparing the tools and setting the tasks. We will be back on the 16th of August!

15 GoodGymers and seven non-GG mates met up at Clapham Common on Saturday 17th of June for an afternoon game of rounders.

With only Stephen representing the "North of the river" (based in Tower Hamlets), we had to loan him players to represent the "Naughty Northerners". He had the feisty Danya, hard-hitting Oliver, back stop champion Catherine, Laura, Aaron (Sam's friend), Katie and Nathan being loaned to him to make up his team. Losing the toss, they had to field first against the "Southern Softies".

Jessie captained this side with Jeremy (Aaron's mate), big hitting Ed, Paulin, surprisingly good James, the Northerner in South London Daryl, Cat, Tim from GG Wandsworth (soon-to-be Southwark) and Richmond Sam making up her team.

Sam explained the rules before the teams got going, but the main rule in everyone's mind was getting 5 players out and then swap.

The first innings was tight with "Southern Softies" taking 14 1/2 rounders and "Naughty Northerners" responding with 10 1/2. After a 10 minute break, the "Southern Softies" got into the swing of things (pun intended) and scored a massive 20 1/2 rounders on top of their 14 1/2... this meant the "Naughty Northerners" had to score 25 rounders to win the "GG x Athletic Brewing Summer Social Rounders (Home Game)". They gave it their all by scoring 15 rounders, but this meant they were 10 rounders short of winning. It was a tall order, but the "Southern Softies" were well coordinated when fielding and had a few big hitters on their side. Deserving champions they won half a bottle of Prosecco after the other half was sprayed on them 🍾

Thank you to all those who came out to participate in a fun afternoon of socially competitive rounders. Don't forget the next one (away game) is in Victoria Park on the 22nd of July. See you there 👋

This event was sponsored by Athletic Brewing as they are our recent partners at GoodGym. They kindly provided 6 boxes of 24 cans in each. Sam brought over 3 boxes worth and will bring the rest for the return leg next month in Victoria Park.