Karen and I arrived at 4pm and met with Sue at the Boathouse. We were joined by Rich and Martin and also Thembi and another volunteer from London Borough of Bexley (who were working alone and asked to join us) so we made up a group of 7 hi viz heroes along with many others including Zahra from Mencap with her team and a huge group of Army Cadets and Police Cadets.

We were briefed by Danny, one of the event organisers. Our role was to be a presence in and around the event, answer questions about toilet facilities, location of the firework display, first aid, lost property hub and how to deal with incident referrals such as lost children and trouble. Which I am happy to report there was none!

We had access to 50% discounts on food trucks up until the park opening at 5pm which some of us took advantage of. Along with free tea, coffee, cold drinks, sweets and snacks in the volunteers marquee. We made ourselves a coffee then had a walk around the site to familiarise ourselves with the pricing and locations of everything.

After this we had a bit of free time to enjoy the rides ourselves. Three of us went on the ghost train and were confronted at every dark corner with ghouls and ghosts galore! Karen then suggested the waltzer. My school girl error was to tell the twister man not to twist me. Of course I came off feeling a bit dizzy and green and my head was pounding. My suggestion for a “ride” was the mirror maze. Sue and I managed to get out reasonably quickly however Martin was disappearing further in but eventually escaped unscathed.

We then spent an hour or so walking the site and answering questions from the visitors.

Whilst we waited for the fireworks and made ourselves available near the main thoroughfare for people entering the park we had a dance, led mainly by Sue, to some of the tunes being played by the resident DJ from Maritime Radio. He spotted us and came over to talk to us about how we got involved. Karen explained that we were part of the Mencap cohort and I told him a little bit about Goodgym and the exercise and good deeds ethos of the group. He invited Goodgym to come along to the live radio show to accept one of their monthly “Hearts of Gold” awards. An unexpected bonus for sure!!

Soon after this the countdown to the fireworks began. A rousing first explosion of colour was accompanied musically by “The Greatest Show” followed by a plethora of different fireworks, small, large, curly, sparkly, loud bangs, whistles and dancing stars. Finishing with an absolutely beautiful crescendo of red and white chrysanthemums across the night sky.

A bit more dancing was on the cards and we led some of the visitors in the Cha Cha slide!!! After handing in our hi viz jackets and a bit of lost property we’d been given we were free to leave.

Such a great way to see the fireworks but more importantly to give something to the local community. Not money but time, which can of course be equally precious with the busy lives we lead.

Lisa Baxter

The soil was dry and dusty after so much sun so we had to dig hard and deep with rakes and spades to harvest our crop of cara potatoes. Helped by two GG regulars, members of Bexley Mencap’s gardening group, swopped their blue t-shirts for red, as we set to work on our allotment plot at Alyers Road.

Luckily, it was a cool evening and we laid down woodchipping in front of the sheds as well as cutting back the weeds and tidying up the borders and pathways for our own plot and those of our neighbours. There was time to pick and eat some cherry tomatoes and spot our first green peppers, too! The runner beans are riding high as well. We’re also growing peas, winter squash, yellow tomatoes, garlic and onions, raspberries and dwarf and French beans. It all needs watering and weeding so it was a busy but enjoyable time trying to fit everything in.

Great effort by everyone.

Our group task this week was to help our friends from Bexley Mencap at their allotment.

Working alongside Matt, Liam and Duncan we weeded, cut back thistles and watered. There was time to admire the veg and fruit growing in the plot 🍅🥒🧅🌶🍎🥔 and we even met the resident frog 🐸.

Bexley Mencap's allotment belongs to Bexley Learning Enterprise Council and we also helped with communal tasks - clearing pathways, shared areas, borders and verges - for the benefit of all the supported learning plot-holders.

As the sun set the mosquitoes came out so we speedily packed away the tools and posed for a quick team photo.

Just before we headed home Liam thanked us with some Lindor chocolate treats 🍬.

It was fun evening and a big thank you to Bexley Mencap for having us.

Bexley news

• Well done Nick for reaching 50 good deeds and getting your black tshirt!
• Did you hear that our GoodGym quiz team won the quiz night on Saturday at the youth centre! Go GoodGym!

Tonight we met at Crook Log ready for our task at Bexley Mencap. We were heading back to the Mencap offices to give the activity room a second coat of paint after we had already given the first coat a few weeks back.

It was great to have not 1, but 2! New members join us tonight. Welcome to Mauro and Jack we hope you enjoyed your first run and task with us!

We had a quick warm up as we wanted to leave as soon as possible as there was lots to get done on the task.

The walking group set off first as to get to the task first and open the door for us as Nick has the keys 

The running group set off on a slightly longer route to try and arrive at the task at the same time. Well done to Liam for joining the running group tonight for the first time!

Upon arrival, it was all hands on deck! We had paint pouring, paint rolling, paint brushing, paint wiping. It wasn't long before the second coat of white paint was nearly done.

We helped Nick tidy up and headed off back to Crook Log.

Well done tonight! We got lots done and helped Nick out a lots!

Next week we are at the Care Home.

Until then...

Happy running!

Sarah 

Bexley News...

• Did you know that there has NEVER been a parkrun on the 29th February. This leap year, the 29th falls on Saturday. No-one has ever run a parkrun on this date and the next time this will be possible will be in at least 28 years time! Join us at Bexley parkrun to celebrate the occasion!
• Let us know if you are coming to the Quiz Night at Danson Youth Centre. It is a little different to the conventional pub quiz. BYO snacks and drinks!
• Next Monday we will be celebrating GoodGym Bexleys 3rd Birthday After our group run we will be heading to The New Cross Turnpike.

Tonight 12 runners and walkers met at Crook Log, ready for our task at Bexley Mencap offices.

We welcomed our new members Andy and Liam. Great to have you guys along, we hope you enjoyed your first GG session with us!

We had a quick warmup, deciding not to use the cones as they kept blowing away last week. We then had a quick run straight to the Mencap offices as there was lots to do!

The walking group went ahead and went the shortest way to get there first as they had the keys.

We paced ourselves well as both groups arrived at the same time.

Nick had already prepped the space, so we could get straight to work.

We poured paint into trays, picked up paint brushes and rollers and got to work.

We had plenty of hands to get the job done and in no time we had covered the walls with its first coat of paint.

We helped Nick tidy up and admired our work. Next time we might be able to give a second coat.

Great work tonight guys.

Until next time...

Happy running

Sarah 🏃🏻‍♀️

Bexley News

• There is a quiz night on Saturday at the Danson Youth Centre at 7pm. Find out more here
• There are still volunteer roles available for the GoodGym Bexley parkrun takeover on the 19th October. You can find out more and sign up here

Tonight we dodged the rain and met up at Crook Log as usual ready for our run.

Due to a last minute cancellation from our task, we were now headed to the Bexley Mencap Offices for a clean and tidy.

We had a team of walkers and team of runners.

The walking group headed off first and took a direct route in order to arrive at the offices first to put the kettle on and let us in!

Meanwhile, the running group took a longer loop to arrive just after the walkers.

Upon arrival there was plenty to do. We were wiping, dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, chatting and laughing. After a short while, we all got together for our group picture before making our way back to base.

Great work tonight team!

Until then,

Happy Running!

Sarah 🏃🏻‍♀️