The Cat Creep is a secret shortcut between the upper and downhill residential roads in the Round Hill Ward, well known by its residents. Unlike some of the other Cat Creeps in Brighton, this one was initially wider and named Lennox Road in readiness for houses to be built along it. However, this plan was eventually abandoned: Lennox Road was just too steep for coaches to negotiate!

Nowadays, if you’re on the Cat Creep after dark, don’t be surprised if you see someone with a torch apparently staring at the stairs. From February to April, a group of local enthusiasts counts toads and newts as they migrate from one side of the cat creep to the other to mate. So, we did. We counted at least 7 tods at our passage! This greatly hopped GoodGymers up to undertake the group mission that involved the distribution of more than 150 copies of the local newsletter, “The Round Hill Reporter” to the residents of the ward, especially those who can't or don't want to be online, so they can hear all about the latest news in the area. It was a blast, so we had plenty of time for a fitness session hopping up the stairs together with the tods – indeed, using our phone and head torch to avoid stepping on them – and some sprint runs up hill. The second Tuesday of the month is Brighton GoodGym’s social night, and we concluded our evening with a Quiz Night to socialise at a local pub.  

The Meteo Office’s Yellow Warning didn’t stop Brighton GoodGymers to run to this community mission at the Cardinal Newman Catholic School – a voluntary aided comprehensive school located in Hove and the largest in England. We were lucky to catch a window of dry weather on a full moon evening, despite shadowed by low clouds, and we didn’t feel very cold neither. That was probably the effect of the uphill and a few detours before arriving to our destination to join our mates. Armed with polisher and cleaning clothes, our Heroes’ task was to polish the High Gothic style Chapel, and so we did meticulously with our (Mr Muscle’s) superpowers 😊

Curious to know more about this school, I dig into internet and found out Cardinal Newman’s motto: “Heart speaks unto Heart”. Inspired by these words, Newman calls us to hear God speaking to our hearts and to listen for our mission from God.

It was another Good Mission, GoodGym!

HOW COOL is it? Very! At Goodgym, it is always very COOL to walk, run or cycle and group together with the other Good Gymers for a community mission.

It was a dry winter evening, may be a bit CHILLY, but with an extremely clear sky full of stars to set the scene of our moonlight litter picking at the Adelaide and Brunswick Ward, in Hove. 12 brave GoodGymers showed up for the mission after we equipped ourselves with litter pickers made available by the City Clean Tidy Up Team of the Brighton and Hove Council. We were welcomed by Cllrs Hanna and Phelin who pro-actively joined the team and led our way to Brunswick Park and surrounding areas. It was like a fun treasure hunt as we were scouting the hidden rubbish treasure left behind the bushes and between the parked cars.

(Honestly) HOW COLD was it? Very 😊 by the FEEL of our fingertips at the end of the session. Nevertheless, it is always very WARMING to get busy in social action and REWARDING to contribute to the conservation of such an outstanding conversation area in our city. Even more rewarding was the great WARM FINALE with JC’s homemade cake and a social drink in a cosy local pub. Let's say Goodbye, for now JC and Happy Birthday Rob with a belated collective cheers to you!

What next?

Don't forget our next community mission: A Spring Declutter is on at St Luke’s Church, after Saturday parkrun in Preston Park. And, next Tuesday's group run to the Brighton Community Kitchen.   https://www.goodgym.org/areas/brighton/happenings

Well, well, ... really well astonished we were to find out how shining still was the upper floor that we cleaned two weeks ago. Well, well, ... really well done Good Gymers! Easy job done, then!? Ehm, what about those hidden corners, skirting, stair wells, toilets, and windows, and cabinets, and...
Heigh-ho!! There is always something more we can do to help the Real Junk Food Project in the Gardener community Cafe' so centrally located in the heart of the Brighton North Lanes. So, more we did!! A fantastic group action of 11 Good Gymers with the (user-) friendly support of "Henry" (The Hoover) turned this cafe' in a never-ever-been- so-clean one.... almost :-) Congrats Liam getting his first good deed with Good Gym Brighton! And, welcome backJack and Will who relocated from London already thinking how to join Good Gym coached runs to visit an older person in Brighton.

Sadly, visiting Jcand Geraldine have announced that their “life in Brighton” is ending soon, but there is a promise of “Au revoir’ cake at our next Tuesday session:
Sign-up now to reverse a bite ;-) https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/moonlight-litter-picking-in-brunswick

When GoodGym gangs oot intae the street,

Our red clad pals tae surely meet,

And runs up tae a grand auld school,

That has wet wipes fae one and all,

We find the job simple and plain,

Just wipe the dust, scrub ev'ry stain,

From corridor to lofty stair,

We made short work of whit wis there;

Then oot tae warm up with a quick Strip the Willow,

Afore heading awa' tae oor welcoming pillows,

Hame again noo and tucked up tight!

On this, the eve of Rabbie Burns Night 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿