Meeting under the arch at pretty St Leonard’s Priory Park just before 7, the team were all ready for tonight’s fitness session.

We focused on dynamic warm-up moves, single-leg exercises, balance moves and some standing core work, before finishing with plenty of stretches aimed at the upper body after a long day at the desk.

Task owner Larry joined towards the end of the workout, talking Oliver through leaf blower basics before we gathered for tonight’s briefing.

After clearing the path speedily of leaves (Oliver got to grips with the leaf blower in no time) we set about weeding the path, in a straight line (a tougher task than it looked).

Pushing back soil, grass (and worms) without creating an uneven surface was no mean feat. Some skillful techniques were required, including Rohan’s accurate string line and Fiona’s very precise scoring.

Up the path we moved, marveling at what the workout this was. From the isometric squats to the shoveling of wet mud, everything from obliques to delts got a look-in here.

At shortly after 8, we were heading back down the path, tools in-tact, debating tonight’s pun, before posing for that all-important final pun.

Next week, we return to Hollybush Gardens to help Margaret give the Ellsworth Street flower beds a winter makeover.

Until then.

A small, but productive fitness crew met at the end of Harley Grove for tonight’s session.

With soggy surfaces thanks to another drizzly November day, we focused tonight on balance (for a change), lower body strengthening and flexibility. It was nonetheless a useful session, and a fun one too, as we discussed the need for chocolate at this time of year.

Moving to the GET OUT garden, we were greeted by Frankie who talked us through tonight’s activities.

We promptly split into pairs and worked around the garden, moving large piles of branches and twigs, and raking leaves galore.

Bags were filled, compost bays stacked and lats worked.

It was the usual companionable evening, combining productivity and chatter.

It’s always a joy to see Frankie, who volunteers frequently at the garden with regular task owner Kieran, and who himself is a gardener extraordinaire.

After stacking the last rake (and admiring the straight rows of garlic, planted at our last visit) we proceeded to pose for one last picture before heading off into the night, excited for next week’s task.

A big shout-out to our committed, industrious team tonight, and especially to Fiona for tonight’s spectacular pun.

“Where did the wind come from?”, exclaimed the first few arrivals at tonight’s task.

Gathering by the Cable Street Mural in Shadwell, we glanced in to St George’s Gardens, home of tonight’s task, to see if there was any shelter from the wind (there wasn’t).

Opened to the public in 1875, these are ‘probably one of Tower Hamlets' least known historic public Gardens’, according to Tower Hamlets Council. “Through a ten month period, the Gardens have undergone a major refurbishment with support from the National Lottery Heritage Lottery Fund. New paths, planting and grass areas have been laid out and significant heritage features including monuments and walls have been conserved and repaired.”

We were soon joined by task owner Terry, from the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. (Terry worked as an environmental education officer for a local charity for 22 years. Now an Honorary Trustee of the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, we’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a few tasks led by Terry, whose extensive knowledge combined with a dry sense of humour help make these outdoor Autumn evening tasks an absolute joy).

After a full introduction to the area, including the neighbouring B&B and the Register Office (yes, that’s right – no typo), we proceeded to make our way around to the left corner of the park to plant 350 bluebells just by the Register Office. Working in small teams, we followed Terry’s careful instructions, and accomplished the task fairly speedily I'd say.

Moving further around the left side of the park, towards the Highway end, we then got to work planting hundreds of tulips, daffodils and - last but not least – anemones. (Anemone bulbs are interesting-looking things: a little misshapen - unlike the usual bulb shape - and this last minute addition to our planting task was quite the area of interest).

At around 8:15, we decided to call it a day, promising we’d return for a picnic next year, to see what looks set to be a fabulous array of carefully-planted flowers.

Another lovely start to the week.

Next Monday, we’re back to the great GET OUT garden in Bow, to see Kieran and Frankie!

Until then.

A dry evening saw 8 GoodGymers gathering in the pretty St Leonard’s Priory Park in Bromley-By-Bow.

Kicking the evening off with a short fitness session around the planters, we ensured core was fired up and balance challenged by the time this evening’s task commenced.

Our job tonight was to continue the construction of a small hazel fence around the wilding area.

A pretty, useful area, this patch serves as a great habitat for pollinators, as well as being the home to blackberry brambles and wheat.

The team started at the back of the park cutting branches for the fencing and the fence stakes.

Following the disturbance of what appeared to be a small wasps’ nest, half of the team promptly headed to the wilding area to start the preparation of the stakes.

It was a fun and physical task: team members cut hazel, sawed stakes, dug holes and weaved the fence.

With just ten minutes to go, there was a small area of the fence still to be completed - minus any fencing material... Ivo headed to the far side of the park returning with a good hazel stash, before Larry made the executive decision that a nearby Sycamore tree would provide the final few stakes.

The fence was finished shortly after 8, with the team posing for one final pic by the new fence.

A lovely night in East London, well done everyone.

…And a big warm welcome to Sophie, who joined us for her first GoodGym. Great effort Sophie, look forward to seeing you again soon!

Next week, we’re heading to Wapping, to join the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park team for a big gardening session!

Until then.

12 lovely GoodGymers gathered at Cranbrook Community Garden last night to help clear a big backlog of leaves.

It’s been a while since we joined Janet and Eileen at this busy community centre, and the team needed a hand with the following tasks:

• Clearing leaves and older plants from the borders of the community centre garden, and all around the garden.

• Collecting - and disposing of - branches in the large bin, and the main rubbish areas.

• Trimming the hedges

There was a lot to get done, but the GoodGymers worked so fast, Janet and Eileen were nonethless having to continually find new areas for us to focus on.

By the time we finished up our tasks, returned equipment and debated the best way to spend the final 10 minutes, it was time to run back to the Hotel.

It was a lovely night – great to see faces old and new, squeeze in a little mileage and give Janet and Eileen a helping hand before the busy festive season kicks in.

And a great big shout-out tonight to Ivo, who led the run from the Town Hall Hotel to the task.

Next week, we head to the lovely St Leonard’s Priory Park in Bromley-By-Bow to see Larry for some more garden-clearing.

Until then.