Every year, we have one of our most popular missions: putting up the Christmas decorations at St John's Court at the end of November. It's really great, you should try it, it's almost as if Christmas starts with this mission.

However, there obviously comes a time when we have to reverse our good work and take the decorations down. Now, usually, this is not as popular a mission as putting the decorations up; no one wants to say good bye to Christmas.

Last night though, we had a pretty good crowd with seven GoodGymmers turning up to de-Christmas St John's Court. Newcomers Alice and Steve were both very welcome indeed and we look forward to seeing them both again on future missions!

Also in attendance were GoodGym stalwarts Stephen, Tanya, Meyrick, Vicky and recent addition Katie. All in all more than enough hands to help pack everything away.

There was genuine thanks from the residents as well, one had even come downstairs especially to thanks us for putting up (and taking down) the decorations for them every year as they could not do it without us.

We left promising to see them again next Christmas - it's only 352 days away....

T'was a wintry November eve, the crisp air heralding the beginning of something wonderful. For tonight was the beginning of Christmas...

Our annual visit to St John's court to put up their Christmas decorations is now a tradition, and for many of us, the start of Christmas. Eight Christmas GoodGym elves rocked up, just like Last Christmas, to Deck the Halls of St John's Court with trees, tinsel and lights.

Stepping into Christmas for the first time was newcomer Nat, and a first time in Bath for London GoodGymmer Katie - you a both very welcome. we look forward to seeing you again!!

With multiple locations to decorate - the Main Entrance, Common Room, and Leisure Room - there was a lot of decorating to do in just one hour. But we had plenty of help from regulars Emily, Stephen, Amy, Tanya, James and myself.

We made quick work of it, Santa would be impressed. We hope that the residents will awake to see the spirit of Christmas present as they make there way downstairs in the morning. Ho Ho Ho!!!!

On a lovely Tuesday evening, an Olympic inspired bunch of GoodGymmers rocked up to help with some gardens at one of our favourite venues, St John's Court.

Lining up for this race were Portsmouth GoodGym alumni and Olympic legends Katie and Tony. Previous medal winners Felicia and James had also qualified for this final, whilst new to the Olympics Evie had also made it to the final. Finally, veteran Meyrick completed the lin up.

Straight out of the blocks we were tackling the weeds in the beatifully tranquil garden area at the back of St Johns Court, right by the river. This Olympic venue is is managed accommodation for the elderly and we were also joined by Lily and Sam, residents with action and support in there hearts.

WE had a lot to do in an hour but made quick work of the two flower beds we were asked to weed, also having time to plant flowers in their place which are likely to make this a really nice gardens feature over the next few weeks.

Peripheral work was also going on as more cutting back needed doing in the general area, to help make this as tranquil and tidy an area for the residents to enjoy.

Great work by all, everyone won Gold and everyone broke World Records.

Kate and Helen made their way to St John's Court to help the residents with their garden. Armed with a few small garden implements we were tasked with digging up weeds from a flower bed.

It looked like an easy task, but Kate kept getting her hair caught in the thorns above and Helen could barely get the fork into the ground as it was so hard.

Tackling the thorny bushes above, we cleared them out of the way and most of the weeds in the bed ready for planting.
We look forward to going back again next month to help the residents.

April comes, and struggles to commit to Spring, as despite some sunny days recently the temperature has been a little on the chilly side.

In the sheltered courtyard of St John's Court however, we found ourselves in almost mild conditions as four GoodGymmers, Richard, Helen, Emily and Meyrick rocked up to help remove the Winter's weeds from the courtyard outide the dining hall.

This care/retirement home is in a lovely setting by the riverside and it's important that the residents can fully enjoy the outside areas as the weather warms up.

There were a lot of weeds though, but we are GoodGym and we made quick work of removing them with the limited tools we had at our disposal.

With a hope that Spring proper is only weeks away, let's hope the residents can enjoy this area all the better as the weather warms up.

Christmas was over in a flash. It felt like days had past since we put up the decorations but here we were posed to take them down again.

Since there were only 3 of us, we had to be speedy. We had 2 rooms, 3 Christmas trees to take down and pack away. We moved at pace, placing all decorations neatly into the numerous boxes they had come out of. We ran from room to room, squashing Christmas trees back into the boxes which seem far too small at first. But whilst two of us sat on the box, whilst the other taped it in place we managed to get them all boxed up.

Another year done and we look forward to returning in December.