Shift 3 of the Lantern Parade felt like a breeze! Angela and Jess stayed back from the previous shift to help (thank you!).

The seven of us working alongside the Norden Farm staff and other volunteers, made light work of the post-event clean up. After reclaiming lantern sticks from the public, we grouped them into batches of 10 per their colour. These were efficiently taped together and transferred to the library side of the road where a van was parked to load 'em up. We also helped gather discarded lanterns, remove signs from lampposts and Anne-Laure even did some heavy lifting to help the Stage crew.

Everyone - including task owner Kayleigh - was surprised at how fast things got done. The new high-vis vests courtesy Viv, got a good outing (and photographing) and we all walked away satisfied and happy to have been part of this joyful annual event once again!

One of our favourite events in the GoodGym calendar, and the turnout of GoodGymers did not disappoint. Sheila and Georgeta stayed on after the set-up shift, joined by Frances who so enjoyed her first GoodGym mission that she returned 2 seconds later for her second! We were also joined by Jess, Angela, Roberta and Diya, and after a briefing by our taskowner we went to our assigned spots. We handed out lanterns to the excited children, switching on their lights, and handing out the spares to anyone else who wanted them And then the parade was off to the sounds of the Beatroot Drummers at the front and the Bollywood Brass Band at the back. We were dazzled by the ladies on stilts and the hundreds of animal lanterns. Its such a joyous event, put on by Norden Farm for the community. They are so grateful for the support from GoodGym, and we are grateful to them for putting it on for us!

7 Goodgymers went back to school tonight to help demolish and clear 4 large planters outside the classrooms

It truly was a team effort, with some shovelling soil into wheel barrows and the others taking a run up to the skip to deposit it in, being careful not to fall in with the soil!

An hour quickly flew by and the bell soon rang for the end of class where we gathered up all classmates, admired our handiwork and made our way home

gold stars all round!

Ten happy goodgymers arrived at All Saints church ready to pull ivy, dig ditches and pile up leaves. After much chatter and some effort a large patch of fence was cleared, a ditch was prepared for future hedge planting and a habit for wildlife was created. Maybe next time we may spot the odd hedgehog or some wild life in the new hedge! A bemused passerby seemed worried by the torchlight action in the churchyard but admitted that he had recently watched Frankenstein so was easily spooked! After a group photo we all returned home.

On Guy Fawkes Night, Goodgym spun their own legend......

Once upon a time, there was a school whose drop-off and pick-up zone had become a battleground of hangry children and weary parents. The hedges loomed and the bushes bulged into the path, and every morning felt like a game of dodge-the-human.

But one parent had had enough. She rallied her merry band of GoodGymmers to tame the wild greenery and restore peace to the school run. The school gave a nod, and on a mild November Wednesday with fireworks booming all around, 13 heroes answered the call to loppers.

Among them, two new champions emerged: [Lucy] and [Julie], who dove straight in. In just thirty minutes, the path was cleared, the choppings packed away, and the gate area widened to welcome all with ease.

Of course, the obligatory photo op was had, and then, like folklore figures fading into the mist, the GoodGymmers slipped back into the night, knowing the school run was once again a smooth and noble quest.

(PS thank you Lucy for the report title!)