GoodGym Westminster

WestminsterMission
Nick Moore

Attention to detail.

Friday 5th September

Written by Nick Moore

The list that Mrs S dictates to me (and which I take down in my best handwriting...) are always clear and precise, but it's the additional level of detail that makes shopping for her such an enjoyable experience (and occasional challenge)...today it was essential that the broccoli was English, the Beef Burgers Scottish, the Cheese Spanish, and that I try to find the "greenest of the bananas" (for which she did compliment me on my selection upon my return). I thought I knew my way the world's politest supermarket, but shopping for Mrs S takes it a whole new level!

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WestminsterMission
Nick Moore

Rain trance.

Thursday 4th September

Written by Nick Moore

Midway through getting Ms D's items scanned and bagged, I noticed the attention of the friendly checkout lady turn to whatever was happening outside, followed quickly by a rather loud "wow"...the heavens had truly opened and the equivalent of an Edgware Road torrential monsoon was flooding the pavement outside. A few brave souls were risking it and getting very wet in the process, but everyone else was now congregating near the exit, like an audience watching something unusual slowly unfold in front of their eyes.

At some point I had to make a run for it - and so judging that it had "eased off a little", and with umbrella in one hand and Ms D's shopping in my arms to try and avoid it getting drenched, I made the long dash for her front door...drowned rat doesn't even come close.

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WestminsterMission
Nick Moore

Friday is the new Thursday (temporarily).

Friday 29th August

Written by Nick Moore

A change of day to shop for Ms D as she was "up to her eyes in appointments" yesterday (her words). She'd also just been out for a walk with her physio, so was feeling a little jaded but pleased with her progress, and had the list and money all prepared, and the usual instruction of "get what you can" - thankfully it wasn't raining, and so it proved a straightforward tour around the familiar aisles to fill the bag with what she needed this week.

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WestminsterMission
Nick Moore

Shopping in the Rain.

Friday 29th August

Written by Nick Moore

A soggy start to a Friday morning, even with umbrella in hand, and I felt a little guilty as I left damp footprints on Mrs M's stairs - however it was good to catch up, and her list this week was its usual combination of left field items that I've never hunted for before (Ottolenghi cooking sauces, a particular brand of chutney), and her Friday regulars of fish, fruit and cereal (various). Fortunately it all fitted into one bag, as I needed the other hand to hold the umbrella on the way home...

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WestminsterMission
anne malcolmNick Moore

A bed unmade.

Thursday 28th August

Written by Nick Moore

A bed mission that was exactly as described, which was a welcome relief. Having been warmly greeted by Mr P's daughter, she showed us the bed that needed dismantling and removing, and where the best spot was to leave it outside for the council pickup, and we quickly got to work.

Armed with sets of allen keys, Anne and I soon had the mattress base removed, and the sides unscrewed so that we had a series of flat pieces ready to move out, along with a remarkably manoeuvarable mattress, and it was then just a short walk to the designated disposal point where we leant everything against a conveniently placed wall. We declined the kind offer of pasta that Mr P's daughter had bubbling away, and refreshed with a glass of water we bid our farewells - another bed mission successfully ticked.

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WestminsterGroup run
Kamil WieszczekDuran HenryAnastasia HancockMartinEmma Capello

A brush-taking job

Tuesday 26th August

Written by Anastasia Hancock (she/her)

We absolutely love welcoming new faces to GoodGym, so it was a total pleasure to have Emma and Duran along to their first session - great to have you join us!

We were back at a much loved community centre in the middle of an estate near Vauxhall. It is used for support groups, residents' celebrations and classes, but it has been in need of a glow up for some time. The residents association asked for our help and we have had been there for two previous sessions to give it a good lick of paint.

The end was in sight - there was only one wall to give a first coat and the rest needed its second coat. So we wasted no time grabbing brushes and getting to work. Kamil and Emily took on one massive wall, while Martin and Duran both tackled some technical areas. There was plenty of chat about upcoming races, why missions are so rewarding, countries who have changed the legal side of the road for cars, and...lime bikes!

Before we knew it the time had flown by - and we were tantalisingly close. One more session and the transformation will be complete. Great work everybody.

Apologies for the spectacular photo fail of our huge job from me - I must have been distracted by the transformation (or paint fumes?!) to take any more exciting snaps than one of a beige wall!

Will be having a session every single Tuesday evening at different community organisations across Westminster, so watch this space for the next one (I'm away next Tuesday, but normal service will be resumed the week after!

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