This was an unexpected volunteering opportunity and I had never done pacing before. On another day I might have tried my hand at a faster time (I chose 31) but I decided to play safe given the sharp and prolonged gradients (that you do out and back twice!) and the copious amounts of grassy mud. I found everyone at this parkrun very friendly, welcoming and encouraging and it was well worth my visit. My finish time was a shade within my target so at least my watch is reliable! There were people around me I was able to chat to and hopefully my own finish helped theirs. This was my 183rd venue and 231st parkrun.

Another evening, another chance to make a splash as we returned to our Winter painting project at English Martyrs First School. Tonight we doubled up on tasks, tackling both the staff room and the Head Teacher’s office in one productive, paint-powered session. Safe to say, the team really rose to the occasion and proved once again that many hands make light… decoration work.

A big GoodGym welcome to our newest recruit Samantha who made a fantastic first impression. She did a sterling job cutting in around the tricky edges in the staff room, showing a steady hand and serious attention to detail. She clearly didn’t gloss over the fiddly bits and showed she’s already got the right finish to be part of the team.

Taking things to new heights, Stephane bravely mounted the scaffolding tower and got stuck into the upper reaches, showing he’s not afraid to ladder up when duty calls.

Meanwhile, Gill showcased her trademark gymnastics routine — expertly climbing onto tables to reach all those stubborn spots that refused to stay out of reach. She once again proved she’s always ready to stretch herself for the task and never brushes off a challenge.

Meanwhile, over in the Head Teacher’s office, Paul, El and Sue worked their magic and delivered a transformation that looked polished, professional, and top of the class. The room has been completely re-vamped and is now looking head and shoulders above its previous look.

As ever, the conversation in both rooms was as lively and entertaining as the painting itself, with plenty of laughs helping the time fly by and keeping team spirits nicely coated in good humour.

Another brilliant session done, and the project is really starting to show its true colours. We’re all primed and ready for the next visit, where we’ll no doubt continue to paint the school proud.

Goring Gap Gets the GoodGym Glow-Up!

Our 3rd Sunday litter pick at Goring Gap brought out some absolute legends. Huge shoutout to stalwarts John, Belinda and Ricky, who have now achieved a perfect 3/3 attendance record – talk about rubbish commitment… in the best possible way!

It was also a delightful surprise to welcome Tamsin and Jemima back to GoodGym – we’ve missed you! We were equally thrilled to be joined by parents-to-be Sarah and Ryan, who proved that teamwork really does start early.

In just under an hour, the team tackled the area with gusto. We climbed in and out of ditches, navigated grassy verges, and patrolled the roadside where litter had been carelessly strewn across this beautiful natural spot. Armed with litter pickers, bags, and plenty of determination, the group made a noticeable difference – proving once again that many hands make light work… and lighter litter loads.

All that hard work deserved a proper reward, so the session finished with frothy hot chocolates, tea, coffee, and a selection of sweet treats back at mine. We rounded things off with a lovely, relaxed chat covering a whole range of topics, giving everyone a chance to catch up and unwind after our environmental efforts.

Same time next month? Let’s keep refuse-ing to let rubbish spoil this gorgeous part of the world!

This time of year is great for collecting used postage stamps thanks to all the Christmas cards we send.

A quick local collection has produced a good pile to help the RNIB.

The RNIB raise £20 for every kilogramme of stamps they receive, much needed funds to help people living with sight loss.

Every day, 250 people in the UK start to lose their sight. Many people won't get any practical or emotional support when they need it most. The RNIB want to change that.

£20 allows someone with sight loss to get helpful, personalised and friendly advice about a key aspect of daily living from an RNIB Sight Loss Adviser.

On the final day of the January Challenge five Worthing GoodGymers headed for the local parkrun arena.

Mud, not so glorious mud

Gill and John got stuck into helping with setting up the finish area. Literally stuck in as they squelched around in the somewhat well soaked grass. The green finish funnel would be turned brown before long!

On the turn

Meanwhile Belinda strode off towards the turnaround point, cones in hand greeting, and being greeted by parkrunners heading for the start. On reaching the turnaround point and setting up the cones Belinda must have thought a course record would be set (more on that later). Actually, it was a non parkrunning group, using the parkrun course and setting of just before parkrun. If you enjoy a puzzle, try and ponder why they choose there and then to run, when they know they will encounter around 700 runners on their way back. Answers to this puzzle would be most welcome and appreciated. Don’t think too hard though. We don’t want to be responsible for any exploding brains. Messy!

Hearing aid

As part of their set up role John and Gill got the new speakers into position. They worked a treat. When will the runners understand that the purpose of the speakers isn’t so that we can speak over their chatter, but so that everyone can hear the briefing. Another eternal (or infernal) puzzle.

Holding the line

Stéphane and Barbara risked life and limb, taking their place on the flimsy tape that separates our 628 runners and walkers from the general public, ensuring everyone has a safe route through.

And finally

On the final turn today was Barbara. She directed runners towards the finish line, and also, most ably, responded to a member of the public expressing concern about our right to be there. I won’t share Barbara’s answer (both because it’s probably a bit provocative, but also I wasn’t listening carefully enough!), but it did transpire that the individual the member of the public complained about was not doing parkrun. Back again to the puzzle referred to above. Any answers yet?

A checkered experience

Stéphane moved on to the role of Number Checker. A crucial role, the checker sheet being the key data that helps to resolve any timing anomalies. If there are any timing queries this week, they might just get sent Stéphane’s way.

Recorded for posterity

It was great to have GoodGym supporting what turned out to be a record breaking run. First finisher crossed the line in 14 minutes, 13 seconds. Amazing! On the other hand, he can’t really have taken much in of our beautiful coastal scenery. If you do come to take part in Worthing parkrun I recommend taking the time to enjoy……

This morning John and Belinda headed to Splashpoint Leisure Centre where they picked up a PA system that Southdowns Leisure had purchased for Worthing parkrun. SDL have always worked closely with both GoodGym and parkrun, having been instrumental in bringing both to Worthing.

Testing. Testing. One, two three….

The job was to unpack the equipment and set it up, ensuring it works, before getting it in to the new locker that SDL have also provided for parkrun.

Of course we were going to read the manual……

…….except there wasn’t one. Still, a quick look at the rear of the active speaker told us what went where and gave a good idea of the speaker capabilities. A search online, and a stirring into life of the printer ensured a suitable document was available for future reference.

How much?

With the speakers charging we were able to reflect on the potential difference the speakers might make. Regular parkrunners, particularly those that follow a range of parkruns on social media, will know that briefings have been a “hot topic” recently. We can’t hear and we don’t need to hear (heard it all before) are the contrasting cries. "It’s other people making the noise", is the regular defence. No thought that they could actually ask them to be quiet. Recently parkruns have reported issues with unmanaged dogs creating a hazard, and hazards on the course resulting in injury.

Safety first

Worthing is an ever popular parkrun course. Safety of participants and members of the public is paramount. Thanks to these SDL purchased speakers no one will be able to say “I didn’t know”. A difference? A huge difference!