Monday’s Richmond Group Run took off from the Tap Tavern, speeding out along the Thames Path towards Buccleuch Gardens, Richmond for our monthly task at The Three Pigeons Plot and The Arcade Rockery. With tools and equipment ready to go, Anita was standing outside the Arcade. Ken and Adam had already woken up a leaf blower to say good-bye to the blanket of leaves, dropped by the towering London Plane trees surrounding the Arcade.

A bollard downed was put back in place by Salwa and Liz.

And Sam, Katie, Susan, Jp and Lucy pitched in to weed, sweep and prune.

A struggling Christmas box was given a new home by Rosie.

And pretty soon the Arcade was looking awesome and spry.

Everyone pitched in, sweeping up leaf debris, Composting weeds, bagging up leaves, everyone a community hero. With all our equipment packed, we were ready to leave, jetting back to the Tap Tavern for our monthly social. We do know when we’ll be back again (at Buccleuch Gardens): Monday 12th December for a festive gardening session. Enough said, I have to go. Anita (with apologies to John Denver).

A true honour to deputise for JP at leading this popular monthly task on Ham Lands. Welcome to Rachel and Rob who joined for their first GoodGym session after a 5k at Kingston parkrun.

Some of the jobs we completed were moving a pile of finely cut branches into one of the volunteers' cars and cutting back brambles to make the paths more accessible to walkers. Then as is tradition we headed to 'Flam Lands' for a well earned coffee and a bite to eat at the Swiss bakery. Unfortunately, we couldn't introduce the newcomers to the delights of Flammkuchen because the bakery had a machinery issue - but we'll be sure to put in an order in time for the next task at Ham Lands on Saturday 10th December.

Reports are coming in from Richmond-upon-Thames of an unlikely group of bedraggled beasts who took to the streets this evening to keep fit while doing good! Dressed in a variety of Halloween outfits, these eight brave souls battled rain, dancing and jumping jacks to head to Richmond Boating Scouts Boathouse to apply a second coat of teak oil!

Having been there on Saturday morning to prep and apply the first coat, it was clear that something rather different happens to this group after dark! Photographic evidence was taken and is shown above.

After completing the (trap)doors task, the mysterious group were seen heading to Richmond Green where they were witnessed sprinting to Thriller, squatting to Ghostbusters, doing press-ups to Highway to Hell and doing the Monster Mash!

This crazed group were last seen heading to the Tap Tavern. Future sightings are expected on upcoming Mondays at 6.45pm and Saturdays at 10am (see session listings!).

Despite driving rain to start the task, the group ran, cycled and walked their way to Whitton Youth Zone to do some gardening.

We have been there a number of times, but not for a while, and the weeds had taken advantage of our absence by growing rather too happily alongside paths and in beds! The group got to work pulling, digging, bordering, sweeping and tidying so that less than an hour later, it looked great!

It was all a bit dark for photos but we managed to get one in the dry in front of the centre's epic mural before heading off for a thankfully drier journey home!

This Saturday we are down at the glorious Richmond Riverside to sand and oil the doors of the boating scouts' boathouse. Next Monday we will be back there for a second coat, along with some special Halloween fitness fun!

Shaking off a chill in the air with a jog up the hill led by Jack and back down into Petersham Common to meet Ken with his high-vis vests, bags and litter pickers.

We set to work collecting sadly discarded rubbish. Bags and bags were collected from the roadside, most likely thrown from passing vehicles. Amongst it all, many cans, wrappers, a shoe, a BMW badge, a parking penalty notice and a random number 27!

Our run came in at 5km with one member opting to walk and another cycling: there are always options for those who want to run less, walk, cycle or meet at the task.

This run marked 50 good deeds for Rebecca who wore the sash with pride and enjoyed legendary celebration brownies by Salwa in the pub after.