WOW, WOW, and WOW. What a brilliant evening at Goodgym Bexley last night. Not only were all distance running records broken it was possibly the most unusual task we have done to date. As deadline for arriving at Crooklog arrived, 13 Bexley Goodgymers were on the start line. Some looking a little nervous, some ready to get out there and conquer. By conquer i mean we had a mountain to climb to get to our task. That mountain being Shooters Hill!!! Big hi 5 to Ashley for joining us for the first time. We hope you had a blast. Let me tell you, there's nothing quite the feeling of belonging as you head out in our group weaving in and out of the commuters and shoppers all eager to get to our task at the Oxleas Apiary That belonging became really important when we reached the bottom of Shooters Hill as we coached and encouraged everyone that needed it to the summit.

That belonging became really important when we reached the bottom of Shooters Hill as we coached and encouraged everyone that needed it to the summit.

On arrival we were greeted with massive smiles from John and friends and shown to the Apiary and the big task at hand. After a quick drink it was down to work. We were all offered bee suits but everyone declined. I'm not sure if that was due to not wanting to put people out, or just bravery on everyones part but we started working suitless. It wasn't till around 4 minutes in when Neil took a sting that everyones bravery subsided and it was suits on, hahaha.......... I would just like to say that this wasn't just a brilliant task, it was an education lesson. John couldn't of been a better host as he filled everyone with knowledge about the bee world. It is really so fascinating and we left the task with a massive new insight into the world of bees. Thank you. Well just as we were finishing the heavens decided to open up and after getting 16 people into a shed (another task conquered :-) ) to try and keep a little dry it was decided it was time to brave our run home in the rain. Before i sign out bee fact Bees have around 3 to 5 days of life left when you see them flying around. When you see them exhausted on the floor they are coming to the end of their life. Giving them sugar water etc will not make them better or live any longer. Well thats was it. We all made it back in one happy peace. All very chuffed we had run up and back down Shooters Hill. Well done Bexley Goodgymers, you rocked!! Tonights Heroes........ JANINE, NEIL, LIZ, LUCY, PETER, TANYA, SHARINE, SARAH, SUSAN, ASHLEY, FIONA, ROSE and ME.......

Six runners met on a fabulous Monday summer evening for a short run to the local former Willesden Green police station-cum- future community hub and all-round creative space, followed by a jaunt up to Gladstone Park for a breath-taking relay race!

A smaller group than usual, but no less full of good vibes and energy, Claire was happy to welcome second-timers Jo and Emily, Joe with an 'e', and Brent regulars Liz, Tabitha and Deborah, vying for the 50 good deed black t-shirt, who will be the first...?

We set off down to the High Street with a spring in our step to the task that awaited us - yes that's right, moving old mattresses ready for collection, and stacking up a batch of new ones. There was no sleeping on this job though, we shifted those mattresses quicker than you could say 40 winks and even had time for a cuppa tea.

Meanwhile, out front, Deborah, Tabitha and Jo had set about sprucing up the surroundings, litter picking, weeding and ... oh dear... standing in poo (ever heard of bag it & bin it Brent dog owners?!?). Not one to be a party poo-per (groaaaan!), Tabitha didn't let that take the smile off her face (well, only temporarily!).

With tools packed up and gloves returned, we said our goodbyes and thank you's for the hospitali-tea and ran off towards Gladtstone Park for a tempo relay race, the six were paired up and ran round the bottom of the park in different directions till they met somewhere near the middle, high-fived and changed direction to race back to the start point - competition was fierce and there was only a measley 17 seconds between the first and last finishers, impressive work! We regrouped for a well-deserved stretch out on the grass before heading back to the Queensbury.

Well done everyone! You make Brent Brighter!!!

Wow wow wow. Women of the world did unite on this fine night in Willesdens heart, for an awesome community task! Pow Pow

It was all smiles and sunshine in the midst of a gloriously nearly Indian summer-like day in London. No complaints here, even though it was rather humid, as double digits of my brilliant Brent beauties from all Corners of the globe, rocked up to support the community town team for the second to last Monday in may.

Flame haired lovely Jenny joined me first, who was new to the crew and we welcomed her joyfully with open arms!! shortly after we were joined by always lovely Liz fresh from weekend bridesmaid duties, double double trouble family fun with sister sledge and the Italiano sisters Awesome Amy making the most of the heat wave and dressed for a rave, planking and lightening bolt leggings queen Sadhana and last but not least everyone's favourite Mouse in the House.

So after housekeeping and shares, we wasted not one care and alive and kickin, set out on our mission.

Hot to trot and not half a mile away, the task awaited us in the form of community goodness sprinkler Colin and his glorious crew of merry men, little did they know they were soon to be joined by the equally if not more merry and definitely stronger wonder women from Goodgym Brent!

As we powered down the high road our red tees flashed past locals like lightening bolts crashing through the clouds. And what a joy it was to bear witness to the crowds of head turners who smiled with glee and cheered us on!

Ello ello ello... Arriving in no time at all, we reached our destination for the eve - The Old Police Station and tasking for a Willesden Town Team!!! Yay!

What was once the dominant presence of the local police station, standing all proud with its Victorian bricks in the heart of Willesden since 1801, had been left an abandoned ruin for many a year, in a wanted state of repair. Recently being relinquished as home to squatters, graffiti bandits and litter droppers, the local community had rallied together to take back ownership and begin working on the creation of community hub which will eventually become home to local businesses, hot desks, a community cafe and much much more in the view to bring the good people of this area together in one lovely and lively central community hub. How marvellous!!

So upon arrival Colin gave us the tour and creeping around in an original Victorian prison Cell we were found. Led on further by our very own brave mouse, who wasn't scared by resident cats in the house. Meeooowww.

After the grand tour it was time to get down to work and there was plenty of it let me tell you! Planting and making beautiful the gardens at the front. Shovelling and disposing of exploded soil bags in the main grounds and muchos lifting and shifting of mega heavy wooden panels and sheets of metal. Eliza in particular proving that size and gender means absolutely nothing when it comes to strength and determination because this superwoman held her own with the heaviest piece of metal known to man of womankind!! Even having enough energy to skateboard after the efforts lol!!

While the girls worked tirelessly for 60mins, never once were they distracted..... hummm okay we did laugh our way through most of the task, finding peculiar objects in the grass (the weird exploded foam finger to name one a Sadhana and I finding this most amusing) we planned our summer Brent shindig and discussed the pros and cons of racing in heat!

Before I knew it a time check brought us > crashing down to reality - end of play on this fine day. But we couldn't have tried more, with these plentiful chores!

Saying a quick and fond farewell to the community crew, we booked in our next visit without further a do. and like the lightening bolts once again we blitzed down the road for one final sprint back to base camp, arriving back at the joyful hubbub of the Queensbury our home from home !

What a fabulous evening, well worth the time spent, getting fit, having fun and giving back to the wonderful community of Brent.

See you next time!!

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE.