Emma and Gosia were spreading the GG spirit in Southwark today helping out Mrs V in tidying the patio area. She said having it out of shape causes her to worry a lot about people thinking that nobody lives there.

Initially, Mrs V handed us secateurs and asked for help in cutting back the weeds to a "decent" level. We did so at the beginning but quickly abandoned the tool and started to deal with the overgrown plants by pulling them up from the ground. We unanimously decided this is a more effective and definitely more satisfying approach ("wow, look at this root!"). We were lucky to get two pairs of thick garden gloves from Mrs V as the bothersome plants were really spiky and bravely fought with the eviction to the very last minute.

After collecting a really big pile of weeds we touched up the pavement right in front of the door by removing moss from the surface cracks and doing a bit of brooming.

We filled up 5 x big garden waste bags in total and put them in front of the house ready for collection. Mrs V thanked us for the help and was keen to arrange another GG visit to get some more work done. The garden is very big and requires a lot of care, particularly weeds that still cover a majority of the area.

12 runners ran 4km to help tidy the Anglia Ruskin Allotments.

With freshers' week at Anglia Ruskin upon us, it was the perfect opportunity for us to head down to the uni to help out with their student allotment. We met at the Hub and waited for the mass of students we assumed would be joining us but it turns out students seem to prefer drinking copious amounts of alcohol rather than running and gardening - who knew!? Instead our group of old and newer faces headed off to the uni, led at a brisk pace by Ken.

On arriving at the university we collected a selection of tools from the gang at the Volunteer Centre before wandering over to the allotments, admiring construction of the new medical school on the way. Our faces fell upon seeing the mass of overgrown vegetation as we neared the allotments but after being briefed and getting to work we soon found that the ground was soft and the digging was easy. The allotment is a place for students to enjoy some gardening and to provide some fresh produce to a local homeless charity so it was a great task to get stuck into.

We made quick work of digging up the patches and gathering everything into bags, finishing just as the light started to fade. We even uncovered enough vegetables for the world's worst episode of Ready Steady Cook! As we were so efficient we also started to clear some of the weeds from the paving slabs before heading into the field for some "fun" fitness, combining running and all our favourite exercises!

With the light almost gone we headed back to the Hub with a few runners pushing the pace towards the traffic lights, before warming down back at the Ideas Hub, which we sadly say goodbye to next week. You can sign up for next week here and maybe we'll be joined by some students or maybe we'll just join them in the pub instead...

10 ran to clear some overgrown land

A Dull and rainy day saw 10 Goodgymmers including Newbie Kate came along to help clear the area along side Brian's house.

Brian has Alzheimer's and is unable to look after it and no one can decide if it is the landlords responsibility or someone else's, so everything just grows until he can't see out of his windows. As we don't have to go onto his land and there is plenty of work then we decided it would be a good group task. John at Springfield park Baptist Church had asked us to come and had provided some tools and a bin to put some of the garden waste into.

After a nice run over, with an added extra loop for some, we set about trimming the hedge and the surrounding trees, and clearing the assortment of weeds and grass around the plot. everyone got stuck in and even a slight shower could not dampen our spirits! (sorry!)

A little damp but not too cold, we set off back to base with a few of us adding an extra loop before chasing the pack back to the hub. Good to know Kate is not just a good runner but also an enthusiastic gardener too!

Next week we are back to painting at the prison and it looks like James will be leading the run in my absence. there are also a couple of runners who could do their 50th task! Don't miss it!

After a late task cancellation we arranged to head over to the prison again to visit the Ormiston Families Charity who provides a warm and friendly welcome to those visiting family and friends at HMP Chelmsford.

Our task was to give the area a good tidy up and make the place a little more welcoming to everyone who came to visit. We were provided with litter pickers, bags and gloves, brooms and a dustpan and brush and set about moving all the rubbish and cigarette butts from outside the center.

I think we made a good impression and saw a noticeable difference collecting several big bags full of rubbish. whilst cleaning there was much discussion about missions and lots of us are keen to get mission verified and be available to do some missions, helping those who are elderly or isolated. most of us thought a Saturday after Parkrun would be ideal but would try to fit in with what was needed. We also discussed setting up for bubble rush a week on Sunday!

Then all done we set off to the park for a 1 mile time trial. We have decided to try out a few track events in the build up to the world championships athletics which starts soon, and although the mile is not in the program (the 1500m is!) we thought that would be a good place to start. We had run a mile a few weeks ago and some of us were keen to beat our times from before, whilst others were new to the event. There was a great effort by all and some great times put down by the team!

Next week we will add another event , and may even look at field events!

26 brilliant runners explore parliament, Green Park, Buckingham Palace and the King and Queen of Spain!

It was a bit of a bonkers evening to be heading for a run around central London. Not only was the LSE campus buzzing with graduations, the King and Queen of Spain were on a state visit and so much of central London was blocked off. This made the usually busy rush hour areas EVEN BUSIER!

We nipped down to the river and headed along to Big Ben, sadly with a bit of scaffolding round him at the moment, but looking grand nonetheless. After a very busy cross over Parliament square, we celebrated as we reached St. James's park and a bit of space. Hooray!

A nice run around the lake led us to Buckingham Palace and a nice team photo. With that it was over the road into Green Park and a nice lap around. On coming back through Horseguard's Parade, it was clear that much of town was blocked off so run leader / not the best tour guide Katie led the group up and round, with a return stretch scooping below Covent Garden and the busy London streets.

Thanks to everyone who came along and you sure got quite a lot of London experiences in one run there!