It was our first visit of 2025 to the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park this evening!

Ken, the Park’s manager of over 22 years, greeted us, and it was great for new and regular members to have a catch-up with him before we headed out for our task.

Welcoming the group one by one, we slowly made our way over to the tool shed to grab loppers, rakes and wheelbarrows.

As Ken loaded the wheelbarrows, GoodGymers took the opportunity to stash bags in the office, before meandering across the North West side of the park our task location for the evening.

Tonight we were clearing ivy from headstones and chopping back brambles in an area that needs a bit of preparation for a new footpath that’s being established.

Ken divided us into two teams to head back into the park, away from the headstones.

Barrows were filled quickly, and a dent made in the area in no time.

GoodGymers emerged time and again from the undergrowth with armfuls of ivy and brambles, pausing only to pose patiently for a photo, which seem to take an increasing amount of time, thanks to an ageing phone.

At two minutes to eight, we wheeled the last barrow around to the vegetation heap and gathered the tools.

We made our way back through the park and headed to the tool shed, and then to the front of the fence, for our final last photo.

It was a great start to the week. After a chilly few days, it was still a real treat to get together and lend a hand in one of our borough’s prettiest places.

And the shout-outs tonight to:

• Ruby, who joined us for her first task! Great to see you, Ruby and hope to see you again soon.

• Lobo, who brought doughnuts for the whole team, as part of his post-task, January Challenge pep talk.

• And to our brilliant task owner, Ken, who gave us another fun Monday night and a splendid pun.

Until next time.

After a three-week Christmas break, it was great to be reunited with the team this evening.

In a last-minute change of plan, we were Limehouse-bound this evening, heading to the Tower Hamlets Community Transport building, to see Kamal from Ocean Youth Connexions.

The charity relocated to the Transport hub back in the summer, when they needed a new premises for admin and training.

The site is great – large, bright and well located - with a committed team at both organisations.

In order for the hub to be utilised to its fullest potential, the building and grounds need continual upkeep including cleaning, clearing, and decorating.

On arrival, equipment was meticulously laid out and a list of tasks prepared.

As GoodGymers arrived one by one, teams were formed and tasks allocated.

Several teams headed outside (no mean feat in last night’s temperatures) to prune trees, bag and bin branches; clear litter and leaves from the bus area.

Meanwhile another team of three were tasked with scraping and sanding the upstairs railings, in preparation for painting at another task later in the month.

A few pics and bundles of activity later, we heard the 8pm chime of the St Anne’s clock, prompting us to start the clean-up effort.

Sweeping up the last leaf and paint fleck and returning mops, brushes and rakes to their homes, we gathered in the depot for our group picture.

What a night!

Some big shout-outs tonight:

• To Kamal, our task owner, who saved the day on our first Monday night task of the year.

• To Michael, who joined us for his first GoodGym – brilliant effort, Michael! We hope to see you again soon.

• And to our Lobo, who reached his 100th good deed this evening! Congratulations, Lobo! Well done for the huge amount you contribute across the borough. You're a big part of GoodGym Tower Hamlets.

Next week, we return to the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park for our first visit of 2025!

Until then.

Another month, another leaf haul at Cranbrook Community Centre.

It seems like only yesterday we were at the Centre, tackling large piles of leaves in and around the hall to help clear the garden (and prevent leaves continually blowing in to this busy little community centre).

With a pretty punctual start, we were soon filling bin biners and bins with piles and piles of leaves.

With one rake down at just ten minutes in, it was obvious tonight was going to involve a lot of squats.

Meanwhile, a last minute breakaway task saw Louise and Fiona head to a couple of nearby blocks of flats to drop some posters promoting this Saturday’s Christmas party in the hall. A well-established tradition of the Centre, this is a true Christmassy affair complete with tree and food for all.

Team Leaflet then returned to help Team Leaf, who’d by now filled the large bin and were making their way through the roll of bin liners.

We called it a night shortly before 8, dropping a good sized stash of full bags around to the big bin area.

It was a productive evening, and although the leaves will no doubt reappear, this has still left the ground a lot clearer for now, leaving Janet and Eileen one less task to worry about as we head into the busy festive season.

We headed back into the hall to complete our evening with a top-to-toe stretch. Well done to the team for their input here!

Another lovely Monday evening in Tower Hamlets.

Until next time.

No fitness session this week, so everyone had plenty of time to get there by the stated time of 19:00. But when the nearby church clock struck seven, there were only three of us! Could it be that when teacher's away, her pupils lose all discipline and roll in late?

Actually everyone did arrive quite soon afterwards, and made sure they didn't get put in detention, by working very hard. Louise arrived to find the youth centre deserted, but soon realised we were busy in the back yard. She'd kindly offered to take on the painting task ("baggsie painting"!), but tonight we were concentrating on the leaves.

The cold weather last weekend had us wrapping up warm, but in contrast the trees decided to shed the last of their covering - and the yard was in parts calf-deep in leaves. We hadn't got leaf-grabbers, but we did have rakes and brooms, black bags, a bin, a huge yellow rubble sack, a wheelbarrow and most importantly, the hands of ten GoodGymers!

This time, we had not just to sweep up the leaves, but remove them to a nearby grass area where we made a huge pile for the council to pick up. Kitty caught up with an old friend (one of two sisters), and it was hard to get everyone to finish, when there were still a few leaves on the ground.

But we'll be back before Christmas - when there'll be a social! Sign up for the drink at https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/tower-hamlets-christmas-drink .

And of course there'll be more fun next week when we return to Hollybush (https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-big-monday-night-task-back-to-hollybush-estat-for-the-planter-makeover-with-the-teesdale-hollybush-tra).

See you then!

This evening, the GoodGym team met in Limehouse, ready to make a difference both indoors and outdoors with Ocean Youth Connexions at the Tower Hamlets Community Transport Hub.

After a short sharp workout in neighbouring Kings Wharf park, we headed over the road for tonight’s briefing.

Our tasks tonight were to clear the outside area of leaves, and start the painting inside the new offices.

We divided into two teams and got to work.

Team Paintbrush focused on the inside, adding a fresh coat of paint to brighten up the space for everyone who uses it. The team strategically navigated high walls and low skirting boards, aiming to cover as much in the short time we were there as possible.

Outside, Team Leaf tackled a thick layer of fallen leaves, raking and bagging to make the area safer and more welcoming. They covered the entire outdoor yard area, and the minibus area, but not for long: GoodGymers blitzed after bag and bag, pausing only to head upstairs for more bin liners.

We finished in two waves (apologies for the small group photo), with Team Paintbrush waiting until every last drop of emulsion was used before gathering dust sheets and brushes and ensuring the place was left as we found it.

We all left with a great sense of accomplishment, excited to be returning on the 25th November.