Another evening, another chance to make a splash as we returned to our Winter painting project at English Martyrs First School. Tonight we doubled up on tasks, tackling both the staff room and the Head Teacher’s office in one productive, paint-powered session. Safe to say, the team really rose to the occasion and proved once again that many hands make light… decoration work.

A big GoodGym welcome to our newest recruit Samantha who made a fantastic first impression. She did a sterling job cutting in around the tricky edges in the staff room, showing a steady hand and serious attention to detail. She clearly didn’t gloss over the fiddly bits and showed she’s already got the right finish to be part of the team.

Taking things to new heights, Stephane bravely mounted the scaffolding tower and got stuck into the upper reaches, showing he’s not afraid to ladder up when duty calls.

Meanwhile, Gill showcased her trademark gymnastics routine — expertly climbing onto tables to reach all those stubborn spots that refused to stay out of reach. She once again proved she’s always ready to stretch herself for the task and never brushes off a challenge.

Meanwhile, over in the Head Teacher’s office, Paul, El and Sue worked their magic and delivered a transformation that looked polished, professional, and top of the class. The room has been completely re-vamped and is now looking head and shoulders above its previous look.

As ever, the conversation in both rooms was as lively and entertaining as the painting itself, with plenty of laughs helping the time fly by and keeping team spirits nicely coated in good humour.

Another brilliant session done, and the project is really starting to show its true colours. We’re all primed and ready for the next visit, where we’ll no doubt continue to paint the school proud.

On the final day of the January Challenge five Worthing GoodGymers headed for the local parkrun arena.

Mud, not so glorious mud

Gill and John got stuck into helping with setting up the finish area. Literally stuck in as they squelched around in the somewhat well soaked grass. The green finish funnel would be turned brown before long!

On the turn

Meanwhile Belinda strode off towards the turnaround point, cones in hand greeting, and being greeted by parkrunners heading for the start. On reaching the turnaround point and setting up the cones Belinda must have thought a course record would be set (more on that later). Actually, it was a non parkrunning group, using the parkrun course and setting of just before parkrun. If you enjoy a puzzle, try and ponder why they choose there and then to run, when they know they will encounter around 700 runners on their way back. Answers to this puzzle would be most welcome and appreciated. Don’t think too hard though. We don’t want to be responsible for any exploding brains. Messy!

Hearing aid

As part of their set up role John and Gill got the new speakers into position. They worked a treat. When will the runners understand that the purpose of the speakers isn’t so that we can speak over their chatter, but so that everyone can hear the briefing. Another eternal (or infernal) puzzle.

Holding the line

Stéphane and Barbara risked life and limb, taking their place on the flimsy tape that separates our 628 runners and walkers from the general public, ensuring everyone has a safe route through.

And finally

On the final turn today was Barbara. She directed runners towards the finish line, and also, most ably, responded to a member of the public expressing concern about our right to be there. I won’t share Barbara’s answer (both because it’s probably a bit provocative, but also I wasn’t listening carefully enough!), but it did transpire that the individual the member of the public complained about was not doing parkrun. Back again to the puzzle referred to above. Any answers yet?

A checkered experience

Stéphane moved on to the role of Number Checker. A crucial role, the checker sheet being the key data that helps to resolve any timing anomalies. If there are any timing queries this week, they might just get sent Stéphane’s way.

Recorded for posterity

It was great to have GoodGym supporting what turned out to be a record breaking run. First finisher crossed the line in 14 minutes, 13 seconds. Amazing! On the other hand, he can’t really have taken much in of our beautiful coastal scenery. If you do come to take part in Worthing parkrun I recommend taking the time to enjoy……

Tide-ying Up at Turning Tides 🌊🌱

This week GoodGym Worthing headed out to support Turning Tides at one of their local homeless hostels, lending a hand with a much-needed winter tidy-up.

Six of us – Mr and Mrs R (aka John and Belinda), Paul, El, and Stephane – tackled the paved front garden, turning our attention to the borders that had seen better days. Armed with secateurs, brooms and our invaluable GoodGym working lights, we set about cutting back, sweeping up and generally bringing some order back to the space.

As always, the tools were working almost as hard as we were chatting, with plenty of lively parkrun discussion keeping spirits high as the task progressed . By the end of the session the borders were neater , the skip loaded , and the entrance much more welcoming for residents and staff alike.

A great job done by everyone – teamwork, good conversation and a positive difference made. 💪🌟

El earned herself a double good deed by taking some empty chocolate boxes to our local Greene King pub to support the post Christmas macmillan cancer recycling project. Whilst delivering them she even got a run in too 😇👏

A freezing cold wind swept across our beautiful Goring beauty spot this January, but that didn’t deter an intrepid GoodGym crew from heading out for a Walk & Talk litter pick. Wrapped up and ready for action were Mel and Paul, Barbara, Daisy, Ann, Ricky (fresh from his run ), Belinda, John, Paul and Pepper the pooch!

Despite numb fingers and toes, the team set to work with real determination. Bags were soon filling up with an interesting – and at times rather risqué – assortment of rubbish. It was sad to see just how much litter had found its way onto our greensward, but hugely uplifting to see the impact we could make together in such a short time. Fantastic teamwork all round, with plenty of chat and laughter to keep spirits high despite the cold.

A very special mention goes to Anne who celebrated her 150th good deed with us on this task – a wonderful milestone and the perfect way to mark it: giving back to the community with a smile, even in freezing winds. Huge congratulations, Anne! 🎉💚

Mission accomplished, we retreated to the warmth of my house for a well-earned social. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate flowed freely, accompanied by sweet treats . A perfect way to thaw out, catch up, and celebrate another job well done.

Cold, camaraderie, community action –. A classic GoodGym session and a brilliant start to the year 💚