Starwort episode III - Revenge of the rake

Maidenhead Waterways aims to restore and enlarge waterways through the town centre, making them more accessible for everyone to enjoy, both along the tow-paths and by boat. At this time of year unsightly blanket algae can clog the channel and hamper the growth of important oxygenating plants such as starwort.

So on this lovely Summer evening in Maidenhead 8 runners gathered on the tow-path to meet Ian and Richard from Maidenhead Waterways for our third blanket weed clearing mission.

As always, Ian and Richard brought their fantastic tools and Richard gave a demonstration on just how far they can extend, for the benefit of those who hadn't had the pleasure of handling them previously. Before long we were wielding the 4 metre long rakes (well what on Earth did you think I was referring to!!?) like an army of Jedi knights.

Welcome Marie!

A very warm welcome to Marie, who joined us for the first time. Marie is a big believer in using the power of your legs to get places, so she and GoodGym are a match made in heaven. Well done on your first GoodGym good deed Marie!

Synchronised raking (and no swimming)

We were also thrilled to welcome back Laura and Allora, who are amongst the select few to have attended every group run ever to have taken place in this area. We missed them during Lockdown and we weren't about to lose them again, so we put them to work next to the railway arches, where Richard was on hand in his waders to offer some train-ing. They did a great job hauling in a huge pile of weeds.

The view from the Bridge

Ros and Sophie took up the Skywalker position, balancing on a pipe bridge across the channel, and looking particularly photogenic while they were at it. As well as dragging out buckets full of weeds, they hooked a courgette and a heavy tyre, which they worked together to haul out. As Sophie said later,

We wasted no time courgette-ing down to business... but using those rakes was quite tyre-ing!

Meanwhile Ana and Tara were just forking around...

Along with Marie, Ana and Tara worked on the banks towards Stafferton Way and did an especially impressive job of not falling in, considering the vegetation there conceals a steep drop-off. The evening took a productive turn for them when they came to a fork in the tow-path - an extending claw-like tool that required extra muscle power, but reaped weedy rewards.

Live streaming

Meanwhile Amy was doing her Area Activator bit as a guest at Maidenhead Athletics Club (MAC)'s weekly virtual social. She joined their group video call live from the tow-path to tell them all about GoodGym and to give them a taste of the action. MAC are a wonderfully sociable and supportive running club. A number of their members have already been involved in GoodGym, and we would love to welcome more.

In turn, if GoodGym has given you a taste for running and you are hungry for more coaching, check out MAC’s website here or have a chat with Wendy, Meggie, Ros or Stephan, who are all members and can tell you more.

MOT verdict - passed!

We must have done a good job this evening, or at least looked like we were working hard, because the lovely chaps from the Maidenhead MOT garage adjacent to the tow-path came and thanked us with fresh bottles of water. What a treat!

After the task Amy, Allora, Ana and Laura then had another treat in the form of a lap of the Maidenhead Parkrun route, while Marie, Ros, Sophie and Tara all ran home. Good? Check. Gym? Check. Hooray!