Another week goes by and another two newbies. Well, technically, Sana has done a few community sessions with BFC, but this was her first group run and she brought along Kp who came to claim her first good deed! Cecilia was back! Great to know she enjoyed the first session and wanted to come back for more.

As Old Spike filled up, Sam got started with his intro speech earlier as the group had to split up and go to two tasks. Yes, not everyday we have two tasks, but there was a call-out for GoodGym to help out at an urgent task and we responded. Before we got on with the running, Sam asked his ice-breaker question first which was: "Who would you write a fan fiction book about / what would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?"

Only Nelly and Sam relieved their fan fiction book, which would be based on Hopper from Stranger Things and Taylor Swift, respectively. Others opted for the latter question and people had topics like breeds of dogs and cats, nature and artists from specific dates...Justin Bieber from 2009 - 2012, anyone?

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Spick and span

After a quick warm up on the Green, Sam led Roberta, Fi, Nelly and David on a run to Sedan Way/ East Street to fill planters with topsoil as they weaved their way around people on Rye Lane and the Surrey Canal Walk before cutting through Burgess Park to get there within just over 20 minutes to meet Peter, Ed and Vic. They used the 35 minutes they had to fill 3 planters out of 5 whilst listening to the Eurovision playlist... Meanwhile, Maria and Emma worked as a team to led and backmark the second group consisting of Andrada, Cecilia, Kp, Rosalind and Sana as they met Valentina, Elena, Isaac and Phil there. The team split into two, one focusing on the gardening and tidying up the outside whilst the other half concentrated on window cleaning. They did both tasks with efficiency as they were done before 20:00 and opted to set out of their run back earlier.

As both teams ran their routes back, they bumped into each other on Rye Lane with around 500 metres to go! Great timing team as they could stretch and do the cool down together. Thanks to Emma for backmarking and walking back with Kp and Sana.

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Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out last week! Congrat again to the newbies; Kp and Sana for coming along and hope you had a lovely first group run session with us. Kudos to all!

We were met by the volunteer/shift leader at Borough Food Cooperative who kindly instructed us with the tasks throughout the session.

This session, I focused on packaging and labelling food items, keeping record of the fridge temperatures and arranging the items so they look presentable to the shoppers! Seeing the progress of the store from start to finish is always such a satisfying experience.

It was a lovely way to spend a sunny Monday morning, and again, I can't wait to be back!

Clare, Richard and Sana met Simon at Thorlands Gardens after it was raining all morning, but 30 minutes before the session started the sun appeared.

There was six sign ups, but three showed up to finish off what the group from last weekend started. In three, they measured and sawed wooden frames to size before attaching it to the frames that were made last weekend. Finally, they used the staple gun to staple in the net. These netted frames will be used to protect young saplings and leafy greens that will grow in the Wild Garden next door. Protecting them from birds and foxes, giving them a fighting chance.

The Thorlands Gardens project continues with more of the same next week plus some planting too.