What a glorious evening to be newt and aboot with GoodGym Greenwich! With 13 of us gathered and the sun shining brightly, we set off on a scenic run through beautiful Greenwich Park, with Marta managing to sneak in the final part of her interval training en route!

A happy welcome back to Jia for her second good geed with us!

Our destination was the lovely garden of St Alfege’s Primary School, where we were met with a list of garden tasks organised by Amanda the Headteacher who popped in to say hello! Between us, we:

🌱 Weeded garden beds and turned over the soil

🛶 Emptied out a boat planter and refilled it with fresh soil

🌳 Replanted a tree

🛞 Emptied and weeded tyre planters, topping them up with fresh compost

📦 Cleared out and organised some storage crates

But, you ask - what's with title of the report? Well, we also found a newt who was very sweet. Ivar may have wanted to adopt him but settled for popping him back in the pond area. One of the cuter amphibians in my opinion and a lovely surprise this evening.

Anyway, with such a great team, the jobs were done in no time and after a group pic we enjoyed a little river run back to base before parting ways for the evening, with that satisfying post-good-deed glow.

St Alfege’s is starting a monthly community gardening session, so keep an eye out for more tasks coming soon as the school transforms this space for wider community use!

Coming up next...

🎉 This Saturday we’re helping set up and close down at the Beats, Boards, and BBQ event in Charlton Park and we have gardening at Hervey Road

🏃‍♀️ Next Wednesday we’ll be meeting at Charlton House for a group run to Brooklands School for more garden work!

Until next time, wonderful people! 👋

Rachel

Yesterday morning we joined a community litterpick in Welling.

We arrived at the organser's marquee just in time for a chat and photo with the Mayor, then we were asked to head to the cemetery where litter tends to collect around the perimeter hedges. Joined by Adele from Discover Welling, we picked up rubbish en route, then worked our way around the boundary and paths in the lovely graveyard.

Despite the grey skies, the forecast rain held off and time flew by as we chatted and tidied. It was great to be outdoors with great company, and we got in a great step count too 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️.

With four bags full of rubbish we returned to the marquee. In total 53 bags of litter were collected by 50 volunteers.

We said adieu to Adele and headed to The Hilltop Coffee Shop for cappucinos all round to celebrate Rachel's 200th good deed 🥳🎉. Rachel didn't want a fuss, but that's a whole lot of time spent doing good in the local community, so it's a big 'Hip Hip Hooray!' from of us in GG Bexley and GG Greenwich ❤.

Whether you're a seasoned GoodGymer like Rachel, or considering your very first venture with us, we'd love to see you at one of our tasks soon!

Everyone loves a new GoodGym Task, and tonight's was a summery evening treat, as 7 GoodGym-ers made their way up Shooters Hill to The Memorial Hospital, where our tasks awaited us in various shapes and sizes, leading us to hidden depths on the outskirts of Oxleas Woods.

After a briefing from the venue team, Maira and Karen, we got stuck in with litter picking, tearing up brambles and shovelling woodchip for distribution over some ivy growth. Others hacked away at gnarly tree roots which had evil intentions to trip unwary travellers on their route through the woods.

Our time had soon run out, so we wandered back to base, listening to stories of castle ruins and hidden lakes in the woodlands.

Mission accomplished, the run back down the hill was much kinder and it's time to say Au Revoir, until the next task!

Special welcome to Jia for your first good deed with us - great to have you join the group and Sam, kudos for your second good deed in a week - lovely to have you back with us!

Next wednesday we've got another new task at a school in Greenwich and this sunday we've got some more woodland work at Westcombe Woods- hope to see you soon!