Meg, Josh, Tabitha, Amir, Karen and Pete all met at Beer n Burger on a warm evening in Willesden. Tabitha led a warm-up then Josh led us on a run 2.1 km to Kilburn Grange Park to meet Ajay from Kinsgate Community Centre who filled us in on what to do and provided tools and gloves. Josh, Pete, Meg and Amir got to work with forks digging and turning soil in the open triangular bed while Tabitha and Karen weeded the rose garden, pulling out the bindweed. The diggers really dug it doing a forking good job all around the perimeter of the bed while Karen and Tabitha were knot in a bind, pulling out an enormous pile of bindweed. It was a good turn out and it turned out good. Then Amir and Tabitha dug up and re-planted the apple tree in the kids playground. A good job all round. Josh then led us on a run back to B&B where Karen led a cool-down, then we piled into B&B for refreshments 😁 🍻and a chat. Full run 4.2km and a good job for Kingsgate Community centre. See you next time ⏲️

With energy levels matching the emotion of the skies, Tabitha, Pete & Josh convened at Beer and Burger prepped for an adventure. Off over yonder to Clitterhouse Farm under rainfall stronger than the tears of English fans 20 hours earlier.

With the sins washed away and meeting fellow Good Gymer Lee suitably prepared for the weather. With quick instruction from Anika, the Clitterhouse Chief, the team got to work. Diving in the garden to collect the problematic snails and slugs destroying the farm plants, vegetables and flowers.

Worthy opponents who used the environment to their advantage hiding under leaves, between stalks and burrowing into the soil when under threat. The designated survivor being the leopard slugs, saved for their efforts in cleaning up and devouring fellow slugs and snails.

With slug buckets full, clothing drenched and a happy chief, next phase begun. Under the protection of the greenhouse water moved from mild to extreme temperatures and quickly shared with the full buckets. As humane as possible.

The journey back for a drink at Beer & Burger begun with the biggest challenge being dodging the puddles quick becoming swimming pools. With everyone and everything well watered, the team had earned the right for a final celebration of the mid summer murders!

Pete and Lee met at Abbey Community Centre and were furnished by Jason with cloths, gloves, bucket and squeegee stick. Then proceeded to clean and wipe some of the large external windows of the centre, coming up squeeky clean. Lee disturbed a huge slug, good to see some nature on the task. Good job, until next time.

Goodgym Brent met at Willesden, and welcomed first timer Meg to the group. We warmed up then ran 2.5km to Kingsgate to help sort out two roadside community planters.

We were equipped with gloves and gardening tools with which we trimmed the nettles, cut overhanging branches, and removed the weeds.

Josh handled the unwieldy loppers in a skilful pruning of the branches, and Tania, Karen, Tabitha, Pete, Beatriz, Meg and Samina also used their gardening skills to assist Ajay with plucking weeds, pulling out the stinging nettles and piling up the branches for collection.

There was a joyful interchange of gardening related encouragements amongst us, and we did a great job of clearing all the weeds. Some local residents stopped to thank us for the difference we were making .

We posed for a group photo then we ran back to the pub for some drinks and discussion of the summer social

Great job everyone!