Leaves can cause even cars and trains to slip and slide, so imagine the hazard they might pose ankle-deep on a sloping path in the grounds of a retirement home.

This was the situation when we arrived at Ashdown Crescent, but we soon set to work and filled so many bags with leaves. There was also weeding to do, and bamboo to rip out from the fence, which Nivia set to with great enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, task owner Paul was keen to tell us about the book he’s writing, of his experiences acting in the West End and ITV dramas.

A special welcome to Tam, who I've met in other GoodGym areas, and is now living in Camden, so no doubt we’ll see her again soon. Also, welcome Andy (with his magic camera!) to the ranks of the GoodGym Camden Task Force!

Our friendly group did the miss-the-rain dance last night. The forecast showed me cartoon images of thick clouds and large droplets, and yet we met in the warmth and sun yesterday evening.

We were off to the special communal garden at Ashdown Sheltered Housing. Split across 3 levels, the space winds around the building in a wonderful array of green. And we were there to make things better for Ashdown's residents.

Jo was handed a single pair of snippers and a large overgrown hedge. I believe Jo twisted time. Or stepped through a vortex. Or something like that. Because the hedge exited those 45 minutes wonderfully curved and trimmed to the contours of the adjoining path.

Steve and John took to a large flower bed that's in a battle with stubborn summer weeds. Whilst sharing summer stories and catching up, these two returned the bed to flowers (and the evening's post-session rain will hopefully bring them to life).

Alison headed to the upper garden, which contained a corner of planters and pots that needed rescuing. In a matter of minutes, the corner resembled a carefully stacked collection of terracotta ready for new projects and plants. The dried up remnants were placed into green bags, and a sweep finished the job.

On leaving, we turned our group of red t shirts into a line of green bags, as we transferred everything to the refuse point for collection. Just in time... for the first drops of summer rain :)

Nice work, folks, you made a big difference!

"Ashdown Crescent, you say?"

"That's right, Ashdown Crescent"

"Ashdown Crescent, neighbour to Queen's Crescent?"

"Oh yes that's the one, Ashdown Crescent right by Queen's Crescent"

"Mmmmm I think I have indeed passed that crescent, the Ashdown Crescent, the one by the Queen's Crescent!"

"Oh yes I should think you have! We all know Ashdown Crescent, the crescent next to the Queen's Crescent"

Which, fellow friends, has been the dialogue in my brain ever since 'Ashdown Crescent' entered my ears. Was this really a real place? Had my life finally become irreparably conjoined with Jane Austen's? Was I actually featuring in an episode of Downton Abbey?

RIGHT - ENOUGH OF THIS SILLINESS - I HAVE AN EVENING OF GOOD DEEDING TO TELL YOU ABOUT!

Nine of us - nine of us without (unless appropriate evidence is forthcoming) regal connections - battled the evening's business to make our ways to this special sheltered housing complex just to the West of Kentish Town. Home to 35 local residents, Ashdown supports independent living and community in a hidden pocket of green just off the main thoroughfare.

Our wonderful group of Alex, Caitlin, Dan, Emilie, Emre, Giulia (on their first good deed - you're very welcome!), Sarah, and Steve mirrored a crack team of altruistic gardening experts. Having been warmly welcomed by Frezghi and Paul, this group needed little more than a blink to divide themselves into productivity.

Alex and Giulia got straight to pruning and weeding an overlooked section of walled garden - Caitlin, Dan, and Emre honed in on the middle bank of the garden, pulling weeds and re-composting - Emilie and Sarah started an evening-long battle with two compost drums in need of emptying and refreshing - and Steve got to work with the largest broom I have ever seen on a GoodGym task.

Over 45 minutes, this group made a material and visible difference, and I know the residents at Ashdown will be grateful! We'll certainly be back this summer to do even more :)

Thank you, all, for your work and energy - it was a joy to see you all!!

5 GoodGymers ran up to Ashdown Crescent Sheltered Living on Wednesday night to help out repainting some of the centre's furniture.

Luckily the rain had stopped before we arrived, so we could paint in peace. It turns out it's better to paint from the bottom up and not the other way round - we know for next time!

A lovely night :)

26 of us GoodGymers came out to run on another Wednesday night in Camden.

We had one lovely newbie tonight - Jodie - it was great to have you with us. Looking forward to seeing you on another run with us soon next week's link is here if you fancy! Tonight was also a milestone for Meredith and Hayley, as tonight's run marked their 100th good deeds! Well done both of you, and what an achievement. Here's to the next 100.

After our part crowdsourced intro - thank you CJ, Frances and Meredith for firing off the ways you can get fit and do good with GoodGym - we stretched and then headed off on our task just over 3 kilometers away to the Ashdown Court Sheltered Housing in Kentish Town.

After what seemed to be some of the longest waits until the green man flashed at crossings - or was it just me?! - we finally arrived in Kentish Town, met Cathi and got stuck in. There was lots to do:

• Clearing out, sweeping and reorganising the tool shed

• Sweeping and de-leafing the terrace and paths

• Bulb-planting in the garden

• Moss-scraping the patio stones

• Moving some furniture from upstairs

Beth and Frances even helped tidy up one of the residents' balconies (see photos!).

With the bulbs planted, the paths swept and the moss scraped, our job was done. We had a quick team photo and said goodbye to Cathi before running another 3km back towards the Living Centre. After nearly 7km (!), we made sure to stretch out properly when we got back to base. From there it was on to the pub for some - there was an amazing cake baked by Hayley to celebrate 100 good deeds - and others headed homewards.

Next week and other news

COMMUNITY MISSION: Some of us will be heading back to Story Garden on Thursday evening to carry on our work there from 5pm. Sign up here if you want to help out!

NEXT WEEK: Join us on Wednesday for the an October run up to Kentish Town City Farm to help Mel and the team put up their marquees for the annual Apple Day celebrations! It's going to be a big one, so come along - and bring friends - as there'll be lots to do.

SOCIAL: Oh it's a biggie - the last social to be organised by Pritesh - and an unofficial GoodGym 10 year party, coming up on the 8th November. The record attendance to beat is 83, I think we can smash that! Put your name down here if you're coming along.

Have a great week and see you next time.

Happy running,

Ben

23 Goodgymers ran 5-7km to help Cecil Sharp House and Sheltered housing!

Thank you very much for the kind words, cheers, cake and the card! It's been an absolute pleasure to lead you wonderful people over the last three years - you are amazing!

Welcome along to the newbies this week - Tom, Molly, Flora and Frances etc - thanks for coming!

In the news this week:

1. Come join us for Sofia Races in May! Full details here.
2. Check out all the raceteam events here - lots happening :)
3. Goodgymers are doing Finsbury Parkrun and then the Islington Starter Session on Saturday 26th January - come join.

Sheltered Housing - Ashdown Crescent:

Frances led a team of 8 people to help Sheltered Housing up in Kentish Town. This is a fantastic charity that helps care for older people. The 50+ residents use the garden regularly during the day so our help in very valuable.

The group completed a 7km run overall, helped plant some winter plants/bulbs and sweeping up leaves and debris.

Double Tasking, Double Good

Cecil Sharp House:

The rest of us headed to Cecil Sharp House, the home of English Folk Song and Dance. We split into three teams:

• Gravel Team emptied 10 bags of gravel along the edge of the front garden/driveway.
• A team collected up the last of the leaves around the car park and backgarden.
• Another group collected stigs, branches and twigs up from the back garden lawn.

Once team gravel was done they helped everyone else collect up leaves, weed and move bags of leaves to either Susannah's car or the coincidental recycling truck that arrived.

After a group photo we headed to Primrose Hill for some shuttle runs and calf raises before heading home to the pub.

Sign up for next week here when we'll be making beds for the homeless!

Cheers PB out