Eight fabulous GoodGymers met up to help at the TWIGS Community Garden allotments. The sun had been shining all day and it was looking like a warm spring task.

We ran and walked the few miles to the task. (Some even ran further as they missed the turning!). The volunteer coordinator had sent various instructions and directions; the first one was to find the gate key hidden in a jam jar!

Tasks included planting runner beans, mowing the allotment walkways, watering in the poly tunnels and digging up thistles. However, the heavens then opened. This didn’t deter some, who carried on regardless!

It was great to all catch up again, after a couple of years apart. Left us all “fuzzy” feeling (or was that a “soggy” feeling from the rain!!).

After several months of Swindon virtual parkrun success, today saw 8 of us hardy souls join the Hi-vis Heroes at Seven Fields parkrun… Only to be gatecrashed by Storm Arwen! The wind was super strong (reliably informed 40mph winds to be exact), and the snow like needles to the face. To say it was freezing is a complete understatement!

Our Pacers, Paul, Stuart, Jason, Tracey, and Charles (well I think it was Charles under all those layers?!) did a cracking job of leading 64 other parkrunners round the course. All directed round and cheered on by our Marshal Rhoda and timed in position by Timekeeper Kirsty. All that was left was for me to do was to help close down the event before dashing home to hibernate under the duvet and to defrost!

Tonight’s task took us to a new venue only days old in the centre of town, the Swindon Hub. The excitement of an indoor task somewhere new, generated lots of last minute sign ups. It was a fab turnout, really exciting to hear lots of chitter chatter, and Tracey’s books banging together behind me as we ran through Swindon Town.

The Swindon Hub is a large multi use community space with a cafe, book share, a market selling local products and art gallery showcasing local artists. Tonight, we helped tidy and clean after a busy day. We swept and hoovered the floor, wiped the tables, tidied the displays and cleaned all of the children’s play area - and maybe played with a few of the toys too!