It was a good turn-out at Cranbrook Community Centre tonight, with a lot of “Fiona-style” late sign-ups. Which was a nice surprise actually, after initially low numbers. Anna arrived ultra-punctually (i.e. early), and was soon planning the cutting back of hedges overlooking the public areas, though we weren’t entirely sure whether we were supposed to be cutting down a tree somewhere

We were dazzled by Lucinda’s arrival on time, or maybe it was her bike lights. Kat came pretty much straight off the plane from Canada. Having found the country rather large and spaced out, she was relieved to get into the close confines of Cranbrook garden

Laura turned up full of enthusiasm, and immediately started organising things. I’m sure I’ve seen her before somewhere…

Fiona, who’d run from Clapton, thought she’d left her bag at the station, but it was at home all the time. That’s what happens when you get a year older

Ciarán and Kareem swept and swept, until the main area was completely clear of leaves – for now. Chris was a whirlwind of energy, keeping everyone stocked with bags for both foliage and branches from the other side of the fence

It was a productive hour filled with good conversation, collective effort, and a significant improvement to the area’s appearance

Next week we’re at Columbia Road gardens. Sign up here, sooner or later: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-big-monday-night-task-planting-weeding-and-topping-up-woodchip-in-columbia-road-gardens

Before that, on Saturday, you can help with a water station in Chingford, feeding hungry and thirsty 50km runners https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/camino-ultra-epping-forest-50km-and-25km-eco-trail-aid-station-superstars-2025

On Sunday, you can take part in a GoodGym advert, filmed at Hollybush, Bethnal Green, which will appear on Sky TV https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/filming-a-goodgym-tv-ad-at-hollybush

And looking ahead, we’re getting a train to Dover later in the month, to do a 15km coastal walk https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/walk-from-dover-to-folkestone