It was glorious Yorkshire Marathon Day. A day people count down all year for. Wait up all night in anticipation for. A day of greats, of victories, swollen knees and sweaty faces.

The weather Gods were smiling down on us. It was a crisp and sunny morning. The Goodgymmer’s came rolling in two by two hurrah hurrah! Some of a bit more cheery than others…

As Chief today, I knew I needed to motivate everyone with the lure of points. The rules were: impress me and you get points, be sassy with me and you’ll soon see those points tumbling away!

After a brief briefing - where we found out there were no bacon sandwiches on the way - we got to work. Everyone pitched in, carrying the water, stacking it on the tables, opening the lids ready for the runners. We were quick. Well some of us were quicker than others. Jane was a pro at flipping the lids, but she mocked my lip flipping skills which lost her many many points. Hannah and Jenna had lid flipping tips so they were +15 each! Laura was quietly efficient, +10!

We were so quick at the prep, there was even time for a few shop runs for pain au chocolates in lieu of the bacon sarnies. Max delivered the first round and then Nick came with the bakery goods. This earned them both 30 points!

Then the countdown to the first runners was getting closer. We discussed tactics, we checked our reserves, we got into formation. Nick had the good intentions of bringing a speaker (+20) but alas, the speaker’s charge didn’t even last a whole song (-5).

Then the runners came, slow at first. The speedier, but still very polite and thankful, runners came through. Then it hit. Thousands of runners, desperate for our water, came pouring in. We couldn’t hand it out fast enough. We couldn’t restock. It was chaos! Max turned into a genuinely helpful goodgymmer and replenished our water reserves so fast (+20)!

I was pulled away from the action to help an injured runner and missed all the fun. Leanne described it as “the most chaotic ever!” So everyone can have +50 for being superstars during the madness.

Some respite came soon after where we got into some water fights. Ed lost most his points at this stage. Rule of life: never anger the Point Giver-Outer. Lionel won many many points for having my back.

Final Points Tally: 1. Jane: -80 (far too sassy!) 2. Ed: -33 (work ethic was sub optimal. Also attacked me with water!) 3. Helen: -13 (disobeyed orders!!) 4. Paul Kelly: +15 (obeyed my orders, even if reluctantly) 5. Leanne: +20 (there was a lot of sass, but general work ethic was good) 6. Neil: +64 (is married to someone cooking me a roast) 7. Laura: +72 (for being clever with blister plasters!) 8. Hayden: +77 (the sun god) 9. Nicky: +83 (star helper) 10. Lisa: +94 (It was lovely to meet you, but minus points for being related to James.. sorry!) 11. Rebecca: +97 (efficiency pro) 12. Emma: +99 (water queen!) 13. Max: +101 (gave me food!) 14. Amy: +102 (extra points for being an Acorn) 15. Nick: +103 (gave me better food!) 16. Hannah: +104 (great lid flipping tips) 17. Jenna: +107 (also good lid flipping) 18. Sam: +112 (Acorn and defended my honour) 19. Vicky: +146 (is currently cooking me a roast dinner so I have to be nice) 20. Lionel: +1063 (THE LEGEND)

We returned to Middlethorpe Hall for another fence painting session. the rumours of how well we get looked after must be out as it was a bumper turn out!

We quickly got started with a team at each end containing wire brushers and painters. We speedily advanced towards each other - apparently team Vicky did two thirds to team Ed's one third - sounds about right!

Once our section was finished we were rewarded with scones, sandwiches and hot drinks.

The best was yet to come however - we got to go behind the scenes and pose on the roof for our group photo!

All in all a very enjoyable afternoon, in many ways!

We had the task of covering 4 mini map areas of Bishopthorpe with Brunswick Christmas leaflets. This was to advertise their Christmas Festival on 24th November as well as their trees and wreaths and other hand made Christmas gifts made by the charity. Becca and Catherine took two areas and Laura and Lionel the other two. We managed to get 60% done of each in the hour so Laura stayed and finished what was left of the last two maps while the others headed to the next task at Middlethorpe Hall.