20 Goodgymers ran 7km to help Antrim Allotments with various summer gardening work

It's always lovely to be back at GoodGym after a few weeks away, great to see things were taken care of by Frances and Pritesh - thanks for leading guys!

In the news this week:

1. Abi is offering to take people on a tour of the Crick Institute before the group run at 6.15pm on 5th September, if you are interested in going on the tour please email as I'll be sending security a list.
2. August's Long Run is this Saturday, led by Dom starting in Hampton Court and finishing at Battersea Art Centre - check it out here.

Welcome along to Rachel whose first time it was last night - lovely to have you along.

As we headed off up the hill towards Antrim Allotments everything felt quite close (as Steve Lee's mum says), like it was about to rain, but Abi's weather app said 0% chance of rain - it seemed like we were okay then.

The climb doesn't really properly begin until the bottom of Belsize Park Hill, and oh my is it a climb! Everyone powered up and did great. Thanks to Katherine and Katie for leading/backmarking the second group.

Saw Action!

Upon our arrival at Antrim Michael got us going with an array of fun tasks:

• A team of six, led by Chris and Katherine turned over some soil and helped chop down and dismantle branches from a tree that's been blocking the light for the veg.
• Steve and Alex turned over soil on a plot and weeded before turning their attention to 'grass that was like iron' on a different plot, joining Laura who was trimming some lethande.
• Freya, Steve Lee and Martin trimmed back an apple tree before tackling various other tasks.
• Abi, Alex Coyle and John turned over some soil to be used for planting and then tackled some pesky weeds.
• George, Will, Katie and Kat fought off horse flies and moustios to dig a new trench.

As we finished up our tasks George got the flies off him, Chris needed water after taking down a tree and Alex got going with a saw!As we departed, Michael left us with some kind words and said everyone at the allotments really appreciates our efforts.

Heading home we enjoyed running downhill while the light faded.

Next week we are off to help Coram Fields - sign up here.

PB out

31 Goodgymers ran 6km to help Sheltered Housing at Ashdown Crescent

Welcome along to newbies this week Madeleine, Rachael, Natalie and Matt :)

In the news this week:

1. It's the GoodGym Olympics next Saturday, if you have entered events you should have received an email from Lord Benson (tomb@goodgym.org). Everyone should come watch, have a picnic and a cheer!
2. Kat is organising track sessions at Regents Park Track every Thursday, meet for 6.30pm and start the session at 6.45pm. Go along!

This week we had a wonderful task up in Kentish Town - helping Sheltered Housing at Ashdown Crescent. This project helps look after older people in the community, they have a great big garden space but it needs care and attention. That's where we come in.

Impact

Splitting into teams we got the following done:

1. We put together two tables and eight chairs for the residents to use to sit out on. The guys did well with limited tools!
2. The Steve's and Liz got to work cutting back the trees and bushes overgrowing onto the pathway.
3. A team of 6 swept the pathway and deck - collecting together bags of debris!
4. A team of 10 weeded a huge area and then planted some big plants, small plants and some lovely bulbs :)
5. A team of 4 helped out on two resident's balconies with various garden jobs

You guys really made an impact tonight - well done all! #proud

Sign up next week here, tasks tbc.

PB out