6 Luton Goodgymers joined the FoLP and ABCD-IN-LUTON for this months community litterpick.
We started by welcoming our first timer Susannah who was glad to finally come out with us after signing up a little while ago. As the temperature was beginning to climb Kevin from ABCD-IN-LUTON reminded everyone to stay hydrated and he'd generously brought some bottles of water 💧 💧 💧 so everyone could take one on their way round the park. It was quite a leisurely walk around the park, past the site of the new Luton Henge project and along the river Lea. We gathered around 15 bags of rubbish 🗑 and the park looked a lot tidier after we'd all finished. David occupied his regular spot dangling like Spiderman over the river, fishing out all sorts of goodies only this time he had to fish out something a little more personal to himself as his phone dropped out of his pocket into the juice. He assured me it was ok 👍🏻 📱 . All in all it was a good task and we look forward to returning next month. Great job, well done 👏

7 Luton Goodgymers supported the Shri Guru Ravidass Sangat Gudwara with the final session of Curry cooking classes. Lots of people attended so there was plenty of food prep, cooking and dish washing to keep everyone busy. We also got 2 new sign ups that I hope we'll see out with us soon. Everyone enjoyed a sample of the food made and a good time was had by all. I'm sure there'll be more cooking classes in the future but for now we bid a fond farewell to the Aunties in the kitchen. Great effort team 👏 👍🏻 👌

For this weeks group 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️ run, 🚶‍♀️ 🚶‍♂️ walk, 🚲 cycle the team headed over to 61fc to start (what now seems to be an annual task) painting the posts on the barrier around the football pitch so they look nice for the coming season. The team were 9 strong tonight and we welcomed Dinner Dee on her first group run after joining us for several other tasks, it was good to get her out and about with the team and we hope she'll join us again. Richard at the club was happy with what we got done and we've agreed to go back in a few weeks and get some more done. Great effort tonight everyone.

We came together once again to prepare and enjoy a hearty, healthy meal – featuring delicious chickpea curry, hot rotis, comforting dal, cooling yogurt, a fresh salad, and creamy Seviyaan milk pudding for dessert. The kitchen was alive with energy – pans sizzling, rotis puffing, black pepper grinding, and yes, plenty of washing up! We all sat down together to share a nutritious meal made with love and teamwork. Big thanks to all the GoodGym Member and temple in making the session a success.

GoodGym's weekly session with FoodCycle was another success. While there were only two of us at the task, both Lucie and Gill worked hard in the kitchen to turn a rather meagre amount of surplus food and a whole heap of carrots into a sumptuous summer meal.

Lucie got started on prepping carrots, lettuce, cabbage and other salad items for a summer slaw, which was going to provide the main element to some summer wraps. While the rest of the team were busy prepping vegetable Bolgnaise for the main course, GIll kept her attention on preparing the desserts. Channeling her inner pastry chef, she had decided on a puff pastry apple and custard tart inspired by a "tarte fine au pommes" recipe she had seen in a French Recipe Book. Peeling, coring and slicing 30 apples took some time, and then the pastry needed rolling out, cutting to size and baking. It was a good job she had arrived early to get started. There was custard to be made and cooled, and a side of peach and grape salad to be prepped.

But our little team worked tirelessy and even helped with the washing up. The meal went out to around 36 guests and we even had enough for second helpings as well as meals for 8 of the Foodcycle volunteers.

A trio of Luton Goodgymers teamed up with the London Road Litter Pickers for the South Luton monthly litter pick. It was another baking hot morning but we were undeterred. As well as picking up the usual array of cans, bottles, food containers etc. we also targeted Memorial Park where it was clear there had been a bit of a “do” the night before with canisters of nitrous oxide (laughing gas), balloons and other small packets. It’s such a shame these were left by the children’s play area, but we soon got it tidied up. Lots of The local residents commented on what a great difference we made. Well done Yazed, Yasin and Gill, our help was much appreciated.