Glove is in the air

24 Goodgymers helped their local community in Lewisham
Adele Prince
Neil Macey
Helen
Rebecca Cavanagh
Dom Tooze
Kim
James Sheridan
Vic
Amber Maurice
Clare Griffiths
Rosemary Alexandrou
Iitmari
Andy Wright
Oliver
Mary Hardcastle
Naomi Paul
Malcolm Young
Maria Ahmed
Juliet
Bradley Smith
Jack Burgess
Jenny
Larissa Sherman
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Lewisham

Monday 13th August 2018

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Adele Prince
Adele Prince

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Greenwich runner

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Report written by Adele Prince

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Enjoying a cool breeze and some gorgeous evening sunshine, a fabulous 24 superstars ran through Ladywell to help out at the Wildcat Wilderness, covering 7km of running along the way.

Another heartwarming week of goodness, with many runners heading off over the weekend to help older people in their homes, with tasks that they couldn't manage by themselves and others running to visit their coaches for a friendly chat and a catch up. Really great work everyone, this makes all the difference.

Just recently we seem to have had a general air of celebration, with many of our regular runners reaching milestones (how wonderful?!). This week it was the turn of Vic, who has been with us since April 2017. It didn't take long for Vic to fit right in and become part of the GG Lewisham family and to become a regular at our local Hilly Fields parkrun, where she can usually be seen, either volunteering or driving hard up the hill to finish strong (sometimes as first woman). This is quite often fitted in before a mission, or a run over to our friends at Wildcat Wilderness, where Vic has become known for her incredible ability to create new paths, so much so that she was presented with her very own, personalised 'Wonder Woman' sparkly weed-basher! Well done on your 50th good deed Vic, it's been a joy to run (and chat) with you!

How appropriate that we should be visiting Vic's favourite place this evening so, after some fun warming up, we ran the rather pleasant route through Ladywell Fields towards Catford. As always at the Wilderness, we were met by Maria, who had an array of tasks for us to get on with. In the garden area (where vegetables are being grown), were a group shifting a cardboard structure which turned out to be a castle (Helen's Moving Castle - that's a film isn't it?), this will no doubt be used to insulate a raised bed or something, or maybe just allowed to compost down. As this went on, Maria told us about some of the plants here, inviting us to taste various things and pointing out some rather splendid squashes that are taking over at a triffid-like pace.

Over on the other side of the wilderness, another group worked hard (between handfuls of blackberries or a juicy plum) to clear an area that has been opened up by inquisitive children, who have created the perfect tunnel/den. Unfortunately they have chosen an area that was previously used as a dump for all sorts of rusted metal and broken glass. With great care and attention, this team very thoughtfully dug and lifted out the sharp items in an attempt to make it safer. In addition to the rubbish, we also uncovered some rather smashing treasure, with vintage drinks cans (some older than many of our runners!) and a perfectly intact milk bottle (well done Rosemary!). Expect a museum of curiosities to pop up soon. Before we left, Maria told us about a fruit-picking day happening this Thursday. If you want to find out about all the activities that are going on here, it's a good idea to sign up to the mailing list, to receive regular updates.

On our return to Glass Mill, we did a cheeky wall-squat and some nice tri-dips before stretching, ahead of our social at Mamma Dough (no doughy cores here!). Next week we are visiting our good friends at Seniors - sign up and come along! In the meantime though, don't forget to join us at 11am on Saturday at St Mary's Church, for a community mission, our chance to make some progress painting those railings.

Run happy!


This task supported
Wildcat Wilderness
A hidden gem alongside the river in Catford

Wild Cat Wilderness is a community green space in Catford coordinated by the Rushey Green Time Bank. It is a natural wilderness on your doorstep, which you can help shape and get involved in. It is your community space where you can explore nature and the wildlife, play or relax in its peacefulness, learn new outdoor skills or crafts, share and enjoy the space with other local people of all ages, cultures, faiths and abilities.

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