We helped put up the gazebos and foldable chairs and tables. Many hands make light work, so we finished about 15 minutes after the official start time.

Has it been half a year already?! With Summer solstice behind us, it was time that we came together to celebrate the summer in true GoodGym Southwark fashion - summer social at a rooftop bar in Peckham!

However, before we could get to that stage, we needed to put in a good shift. The night started with everyone feeling the heat from the hottest day of the year as they arrived at Old Spike Peckham. Sam opened up coffee shop for Maria, Sarah who came visiting from GG Greenwich, Emma, Nelly, Paulin, James, Nathan, Daryl and Louise. Sam knew a few GoodGymers would meet him at Cossall Estate, so even before it turned 18:45, he got going with his usual speech and his ice-breaker question. Tonight's ice-breaker was a little bit depressing as it was Day Against Drug Abuse, so he asked: "If I mention the word "Druggie" or "drug abuse", who do you think of or what film, book, documentary?"

Books like A Little Life, Films like Trainspotting and people like Pete Davidson and Matt Healy were mentioned.

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Breaking soil ground

We headed out to the Green to warm-up, but since it was already warm in terms of temperature...it didn't take much to get an elevated heart rate. After the warm-up, Sam led from the front and Maria from the back as we run half of Peckham Rye Park before venturing towards Nunhead to drop off Paulin, James, Nathan and Emma who kindly volunteered to help with a last minute second task that wasn't completed on Sunday and so the task owner, Serife, asked for a small group to complete the job on Wednesday, which they did.

The rest of us ran another kilometre and a bit to reach Cossall Hall to meet the other GoodGymers: Folarin, Jess and Sander as well as Alan, Jaki and Oscar (the dog).

Alan needed four people to come with him to litter pick Kirkwood Nature Reserve, so Maria, Sarah, Nelly and Louise went along with litter pickers and bin bags to pick up unwanted and discarded items throughout the Reserve and in front of both entrances. Whilst Daryl Folarin, Jess, Sander and Sam followed Jaki with a trolley and wheelbarrow of tools to tackle the growing beds which had loads of weeds, grass and nettles growing in it. However, the task proved more difficult with hard soil. Still the group managed to fill 10 bags of garden waste...

Time flashes by during our GoodGym sessions and after 40 minutes, we had to put away tools and throw away the bin bags. A quick photo call inside the courtyard of Cossall Hall before we said our goodbyes and had to rush off back to Old Spike Peckham as we had the other group waiting for us as well as a social to enjoy!

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Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out last night. Two tasks done within 40-45 minutes and a delightful time spent at Frank's Bold Tendencies for our summer social and to celebrate our achievements so far. Great to see faces that I haven't seen in awhile and hope to see you soon. Kudos to all and if I don't see you next week, see you soon!

After some bike orienteering, I found the sports field, which was strangely empty for a beautiful Sunday. Richard gave me a pitchfork and I could get started on the weeding. It was mostly about removing tussocks of grass from a lavender bed. The ground was dry and hard, so we managed about 4 square metres in 1h40.

Fresh from the Three Peaks I gave all leading duties to Oli who kindly agreed to lead the group up the Two Peaks to Luxmore Gardens whilst I walked ahead.

It was our first visit to Luxmore Gardens this summer which meant the alkanet would be out in force. The alkanet is loved by bees but its leaves cause a rash on humans so the volunteer team have decided to remove it to prevent it taking over (which it easily does).

The main task for the evening was removing the alkanet and any other pesky weeds that are suffocating the plants. By the end of the evening we had piles and piles of weeds along the path and the last job of the group run was to pile it all up on the compost heap.

Thanks for your hard work team!

5 Goodgymers joined forces to support the Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice's annual mini-marathon event for kids. The mission was to help organize and facilitate the event, which celebrated 30 years of the hospice's invaluable end-of-life care. 💜

Despite a slight setback due to a flat tire on the event van, our team's spirits remained high. After a brief delay, we swiftly unloaded the essential equipment and set up the event area. From boxes of medals to barriers and inflatable archways, each item was meticulously arranged, offering both a physical and mental workout.💪

As the event space took shape, participants and spectators flooded in, signaling a bustling day ahead. The atmosphere was buzzing with the DJ and Rock Choir setting the stage warming up the crowd. Our Goodgymers seamlessly transitioned into stewardship roles, guiding the excited runners to the start line, managing the crowd and addressing inquiries. A highlight was the royal presence of the King and Queen Pearly for the race start countdown adding an extra touch of grandeur to the proceedings.🤴👸🇬🇧

Well done to all participants, parents, and volunteers whose collective efforts made the event success. Your support will undoubtedly make a meaningful difference in the lives of those served by the Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice.