It was great to see so many of the team supporting on our stand collecting trainers for Jog-On and helping our friends at Full Cycle Community Bike Project and Merton Cycling Campaign with an action-packed Big Sports Day!

Our mission:

• Spreading the word - chatting with local residents about all things GoodGym, cycling, and active community projects.

• Trainer recycling - collecting pre-loved shoes for JogOn and directing people to do the same with old footwear to keep it out of landfill and get them re-used or recycled.

It was a busy day with various volunteers stopping by to help and take part. With a steady stream of participants at 'trainer-pong' and some surprising competitors, it was a fantastic showcase of collaboration and a chance to show ways to combine fitness with doing good.

Some of the team helped with other jobs, supporting with bike safety checks and promoting plans for creating a cycling hub in Merton, hoping for backing from local councillors and Merton Council for an accessible, community-driven bike hub to promote active travel, reduce carbon emissions, and expand low-cost transport options across the borough.

Well done everyone and a big shoutout to those who stayed on or joined us in the afternoon when we needed a boost later in the day!

With rain on the forecast, we pivoted straight to Plan B: turning the workshop area into a weatherproof party zone!

We were a few hooks short for the decor, so whilst supplies were obtained we kept the momentum going - clearing out the space, sweeping up, and untangling the massive box of bunting so everything was prepped and ready for the final touches.

The room and cafe looks fantastic and is almost ready for tomorrow evening, where there will be plenty to enjoy at the barn dance!

We love helping at the farm as there is always jobs to do. So will be back soon 🤞.

Somewhere beneath a fortress of savage brambles, aggressive weeds, and stray litter lay a secret storage zone. This area was destined to house a special, top-secret item. One that must remain safe, sound, and ready for when Santa Claus himself touches down this December. Failure was not an option; Christmas was literally on the line.

We arrived to find a prickly terrain to which the team just dived right in, hacking through the wilderness.

With fewer tools than we would have liked, we had to get creative. We commandeered a lone, trusty wheelbarrow found nearby for our transport vehicle. As the cutting crew cleared the thorny barricades, others helped Rosemary (from the Rotary) clear the area of litter, ensuring the future festive hub was spotless.

Thanks to the last minute sign ups there is now a Santa-ready storage space. So we left with the knowledge that the December operation is officially secure.

Well done team, you really pulled it out of the bag tonight, especially those who flew in from outside Merton - amazing and of course what we do! Merton Rotary are so very grateful.

Whether lured by the promise of our monthly social or simply powered by pure dedication, we had a fantastic turnout for our group session at Raynes Park Station tonight!

After the team gathered ready for action, a trio peeled off to support the Merton Garden Streets team with some nearby weeding. Meanwhile, the rest of the crew split into two squads to tackle the station grounds.

We got plenty done across three main tasks:

• Watering: Kept the embankment hydrated using a smooth relay system of metal trolleys, heavy buckets, and watering cans.

• Pruning: Wielded secateurs to chop back thick brambles poking through the fence and encroaching on the pathway.

• Weeding: Cleared growth along the pavement to help support the local opt-out-of-spraying (chemical-free) initiative.

The visual difference was huge, but the best part was the immediate community feedback. We received non-stop thanks from passers-by, including a mobility scooter user who pointed out where the brambles used to catch on people, and was thrilled to navigate a wide, clear path again.

With the area looking pristine and the tasks ticked off, we wrapped up and headed straight to the pub for our monthly social to celebrate another job complete and a couple of birthdays - well done team!