A fired up team from GoodGym joined Clean Up Charlton members for an hour on the circuit around the retail park in SE7. Half the group tackled the usual debris in Anchor & Hope Lane and Bugsby's Way, and the rest Woolwich Road and a 'grot-spot' at the car-charging station. Now, as well as clean energy, we have a clean pavement there. Then it was a brief call to 'Frankie & Benny's Alley' which we will have to rechristen 'Popeye Lane' now - doesn't mean it has any less litter!

Thanks for a great effort to everyone who attended - you light up our life!

Eight of us congregated at Charlton House this Wednesday for a new task at Brooklands Primary School!

After sharing tales of a tasty meal that we'd recently cooked (and distressing those who had yet to have their dinner) we set off for our 4km run as reliably informed by Cat's first Strava session, whoop whoop! She's properly getting ready for the big half, innit? We enjoyed a windy road through Morden College (sorry Tom, Darryl informed me it's Alms Houses, not a private school so that saves you a bit of research) and arrived a little out of breath to meet Khai at the school.

Here we had lots to do moving woodchip and soil across the playground into the new planters. And boy we had a good old gawk at the lovely facilities these kids get - there was a little jealousy in the group remembering some of our primary school "playgrounds" in comparison to this amazing space!

We got to work shoveling woodchip into kiddies wheelbarrows and giant wheelbarrows and anything we could find to move it all to the new planters and once that pile was depleted we got to work on the soil, managing about 15 barrowfells and filling one planter. That's a bigger piece of work and no doubt we will return to it another session. 40 minutes of back breaking work later, we called it, and it was time to run back over the heath with an inspired tour from Darryl on some beautiful local gardens that quite a few of us didn't know about. And then came the even more beautiful sight of the Green Goddess at the standard to which we staggered in for one or two pints and what happened in the Green Goddess stays in the Green Goddess. Suffice to say, therin, a shattered ego is all that remains of the tragic tale of Tom's brown suit.

Next week we have a river run and litter pick . Until next time!

A fresh Sunday morning in May saw 6 goodgym-ers make their way to the hidden gem that is Westcombe Woodlands. The area was saved from developers by the Friends Group, and is now looked after by volunteers to keep the woodlands biodiverse and accessible to all who want to visit.  Today included an open afternoon, so our mission this morning was to help get the woodland walks ready for guests of all ages. Armed with secateurs, loppers and choppers, we clipped back overhanging branches, floor dwelling creepers threatening to trip up visitors, as well as nettles, brambles and anything else which may have proved hazardous. We also got to work sweeping up the pathways and planting in designated areas.  The woodlands are a haven for wild flowers,  including some interesting specimens (if anyone knows what the green cylindrical plants are in the pics please comment...?!) several tree species, as well as beehives to help keep everything pollinated. A lovely location and one of GGG's regular missions. Thanks all and hope to see you.soon! Also a big thanks to Ashton for the photos 🙂

On a slightly balmy night this evening, 7 of us gathered at Charlton House for a run led by our very own Julian who was completing his fitness leader qualification and today was his test session! The story has a good ending as Julian passed with flying colors and might lead some longer run options ahead of group runs to help us get in training for the big half and on that note shout out to Sreyans for signing up to the big half! (okay that may be a lie but I'm speaking it into being - it's gonna happen). And seriously, congratulations on your second good deed - it was lovely to have you along and we hope to be seeing much more of you!

After a good run to the collections centre, Khursheed got us to work in the lovely garden where are task was to weed around the planters and empty many bags of wood chip to freshen up the the ground. The trick was to make a thick layer, the thicker the better and we managed to get through all the bags of woodchip, dislodging a disgruntled mouse and a fair few big spiders! 🕷️

A little while later the area was looking much more woodchippy and our job was well done- great work team. We might be back here soon to attempt to build a greenhouse- watch this space. Next week we're meeting on Tuesday at the Royal Naval College for a short run to the Village Church to help with weeding and a general tidy up. Hope to see you there!

Until next time, Rachel 👋🏻