On a humid Monday evening in Limehouse, 12 GoodGymers gathered at the Tower Hamlets Community Transport Hub, the base of Ocean Youth Connexions, to help continue to give this site a well-needed refresh.

Despite the heavy air and the threat of rain, spirits were high as we split into several smaller teams.

One team took on the painting of the metal shutters at the front of the hub.

Two leaf-clearing teams tackled the concrete yard and bus park. Bag after bag of leaves were swept, scooped and carried away to the collection area at the back of the yard.

(Removing leaves from these hard-surfaced areas isn’t just cosmetic — they can become slippery when wet and clog drains if left to build up, leading to puddles and flooding).

A third team took on the weeds sprouting from the corners and cracks of the yard. (This not only helps to improve the appearance of the area, it also helps to prevent further damage to the paving and brickwork).

By 8pm, with the final weeds uprooted and the yard swept clear we headed inside - just as well as the first drops of overdue rain began to fall.

We gathered by a large step ladder for a quick pic before heading out one by one onto Newell Street: some on foot, some on bike (and maybe one or two on the bus).

Next week we’re back with Janet and Eileen for the August garden clear-up at the Cranbrook Community Centre.

Until then.

A small but dedicated group of GoodGymers headed to the base of Ocean Youth Connexions in Limehouse this evening.

The Centre is taking shape nicely, with rooms being cleared and painted, toilets given a coat of paint and the yard spruced up.

Oliver and Sam were first to head outside. Armed with paint trays, rollers and overalls they made their way to the dark green container to complete a whopping two coats.

Meanwhile first time GoodGymer Liv headed upstairs with Justin to blitz the toilets in a speedy bathroom-painting double bill.

Charlie headed out to the shutters to start cleaning them for the next big paint job in August.

Ruby cleared the yard of leaves, twigs, soil and bits of litter before bagging and binning the lot.

It was another productive evening with GoodGymers working at an exceptionally fast pace.

At shortly after 8, paint trays were scraped, bins filled, dirty water emptied and pics posed for.

Another lovely night in Limehouse.

As I was leaving I asked Kamal how he managed to get the place looking so good in a relatively short space of time: "GoodGym", he replied, "It's the GoodGymers."

Until next time.

17 GoodGymers spent their Monday evening helping out at the Prospect Walk Allotments just off Meath Gardens.

The task, led by longstanding task owner Catherine (and supported by Des and Liam) was straightforward but much needed: clearing bindweed from fences and cutting back overgrown trees and weeds that had started to take over the borders.

With private gardens often limited locally, allotments are a great asset for locals, but keeping them usable and accessible takes ongoing effort, so it was good to come and lend a hand with the weeding and pruning of the communal areas tonight.

Armed with gloves and tools, the group made a start, unravelling the long vines and clearing the way for light to reach the plots. (Bindweed's spread across large sections of the site, particularly along the fencing, where it tends to cling tightly and block out sunlight).

The team also pruned tree branches, including the wonderfully-named Heavenly Tree, and removed other fast-growing weeds that tend to creep in when left unchecked.

Working for just over an hour, the GoodGymers covered a great section of the site.

At just after 8 we posed for our final pic and made plans to return to a similar task a few doors down next month! A great night with a good turnout (and a big welcome to Nancy, who joined for her first GoodGym session!).

Until next time.

 It was a beautiful evening for a good-sized group of GoodGymers to join Margaret and Ash on the Hollybush Estate last night.

We were once again working in Rocky Park, on the continuation of the overhaul of the community growing site.

(Only recently the Rocky Park Urban Growers were winners of the Tower Hamlets in Bloom award - see trophy in group pic).

Marvelling at how much Margaret and Ash have achieved in the short time since our last visit, we were soon dispatched to four sites across the small area to shovel soil before depositing into newly constructed planters.

Working in small groups of 2 and 3, it was an active, productive and very sociable hour.

After posing for the final picture complete with trophy, we gathered to celebrate Ilana’s birthday with John's phenomenal cake, and Lucinda's mysterious candles, before heading to the pub to continue the celebrations.

We return to Hollybush at the start of June for a Friday night special!