While some people were stuck on a broken down train, others wanted to get to work GoodGyming!

We met and celebrated with fireworks Ben's 50th good deed! He obviously missed it being late but was excited to learn he can get new black tshirt. We headed on to the task, a short run there via a closed road (where Joel gave such a smouldering look it made me weak at the knees) and obviously Fay, as co task owner and goodgymer told us the wrong gate. We also met the legendary Ian who let us in and showed us what needed doing.

Jane dived in like the motherforker she is (Rich's words) and we began to turn over the soil. It was decent quality soil so Ian was astounded at the quick progress we were able to make. As you can see from the picture, we got a huge amount achieved and we begged Ian to have us to help Age Concern again in the future!

Then time for the main event, with three birthdays this coming week, Sallyann whipped out those magnificent muffins. Choices were chocolate and vegan flavour (although I am told vegan isn't a flavour and it was something called a blueberry). Delicious! We were ready for curry. Thanks made again to Ian and Age concern.

Happy birthday to those this week - mainly me - and happy goodgyming!

On a cold March evening myself, Andy and Jen met at the Old Factory Gym ready to set off into the wintery evening to deliver some leaflets for some deserving local charities. After running for what felt like an age ( less than a mile) we met Fay with two bags of said leaflets.

Splitting into two groups of two, we worked our way along the good streets of Chelmsford and then along the way Andy mentioned that last weekend he was in Bolton attending a national hospital radio awards ceremony.... THAT HE WON! PRESENTER OF THE YEAR. 👏 👏 👏

Congrats Andy, well deserved. we at Chelmsford Goodgym are very very proud of you.

We continued posting leaflets until we ran out and then decided it was cold enough not to hang around and just make our way home to warm up and have our dinners.

Well done all to all for coming, you all deserve your own award to leafleting in those Baltic conditions

Next week will be an indoor task at the Art Place in the Meadows

Until then,

RUN HAPPY

Rich

We almost left Ben behind, but thankfully we waited just long enough to collect him along the way and ran a slightly longer way round to our task.

Andy and Joel wasted no time in getting a drink, and we joined the others to fold leaflets.

We could see that Fay was keen to tell Andy to stop talking, but we did such an expert job of folding the leaflets that there wasn't really enough to tell him off for.

Disappointed that Sallyann didn't get a pint of wine.

Looking forward to Jen and Jess putting a summer social together, potentially in Baddow!

Next week, Rich is leading you to deliver our leaflets.

See you all soon,

Laurie

A pun only those of Andy's age may get.

There was initial consternation from the GoodGym Chelmsford leadership that not enough people were signed up for the huge number of leaflets, but it should not have been a concern as Richard 'the postman' (he always delivers) was there.

Fay like baa baa black sheep, had three bags full and they all got delivered. Hit the leafletting so hard that there is only one photo!

Only the strongest ran all the way there and back, Jen and Laurie.

Great work, for a huge number of local charities.

We applauded Richard P for his 250th parkrun volunteer, incredible work to tie with his 80th good deed.

Onward ho to the pub to do the leaflets and meet the four who walked there tonight. We voted and decided that less than 2k there would be preferred. Naturally Joel totally ignored us and we did 3.4km on the way there! Martin was in charge of conversation topics and chose the Chelmsford area activator role!

The pub team had laid out the leaflets ready (waiting for Andy and his City Sounds) with such intensity that Leanne had sliced her finger open.

Wine in hand, Sallyann revealed she had only woken up at 10:30 this morning, what a life of luxury! Asking Fay how Paisley was i was informed she currently 'smells like a tart's boudoir'. Lovely. As we were leaving we spied an advert for Caribbean roast dinners, now that is intriguing.

Next week is delivering all the leaflets we folded today and the vague plan is Chelmer Village way. CHESS, Age concern, City Sounds, Hearing Help Essex, Colchester Zoo Stampede, and Beaulieu Community Centre. See you there!

Our final group run of 2025!

We met the lovely Callum from Active Essex, joining us to learn a bit more about GoodGym so it can be promoted to more people around Chelmsford.

It was a very important evening for us: not only the last group run of 2025, but we were also going for drinks and takeaway afterwards. I made it clear that there was no time to waste with chatting - specifically aiming this instruction at Rich, Andy, and Russell.

Fay, Jess and Joel set off walking with the leaflets (beautifully folded as ever), whilst the rest of us took a slightly longer way out to run to meet at our starting point on Broomfield Road. We didn't get off to a good start at all - the first lot of houses had no letterboxes. We sped off up Swiss Avenue, and meandered our way round the surrounding streets until we got all the leaflets delivered. Apologies to Russell - he didn't time waste and probably delivered the most leaflets.

I was SO focused on getting the task done, I only took one photo. It's a good one though, especially of Jane. Hopefully Callum's photos were good and I can add them on afterwards!

Thank you all for a great 2025, and see you in 2026, if not at Christmas Day parkrun.

Merry Christmas!

Laurie