• Bomb Scares
• Scout huts
• Serious foliage weaponry
• Digging
• Fresh Mint
• Relays
• Police tape
• Diversions
• 4 Members of GG in near arrest
• Home Time

THE GOODGYM BRENT TASTER WOULD BE A NIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED!!!

Weather doesn’t stop us. Barriers don’t stop us. Police don’t stop us. Not even Bomb scares stop GoodGym Brent!!!

For the first taster session of the year, the universe was not on our side when Wembley Stadium and all its surrounding area (including the tube) were evacuated because of a bomb scare.

On the other side (the safe side) hiding out in the New Balance Store, was coach Ellie, who’d luckily arrived early, so missed the lock down at Wembley Park. Slowly but surely 7pm drew closer and the brave and determined few trickled in. With Ivo and Ian rushing in last minute, the team were complete.

Window shopping & some near impulse purchasing squashed, housekeeping was done & we head out the door. Luckily for us, the task was in the opposite direction to the bomb scare!! Thank goodness for that, because, as magical as it is, The first aid bum-bag would not be well enough equipped for that one - we thought.

The evening was warm and the crowds were thick, weaving down the high road, the team were swift and nimble. With just over a mile under foot, we had arrived, at Station Road and the 23rd Wembley Sahaba Scouts hut. Link

Greeted by the marvellous Usma and her extremely cute son, we were introduced to the overgrown and stinging nettle laden, garden strip. The task seemed big but then……… The tools were bigger!!! Never had we seen such an array of weaponry of the garden variety and although we encouraged his enthusiasm, everyone was a little bit wary of Marco and how much he loved the murderous looking hook cleaver…… gulp. Luckily it was the stinging nettles that bore the brunt of his frustrations and he set to work like a fiend.

Sam and Ellie now quite glad of their leggings which had seemed a nuisance in the heat of the run, looked on as the boys began the battle of wills the leafy villains, it was all Pins and needles.

There was hacking and pulling, bin bag filling and sweeping., then a delicious, minty fragrance began to fill the air. After a lot of leaf smelling and prickled noses, we eventually discovered the glorious minty herb nestled so subtly behind mountains of sticky weeds. A beautiful surprise in the middle of such a tangled terrain, a natural loveliness that had blossomed, despite its unforgiving surroundings.

The team battled on, lots of stories told and laughs shared and before long the clock wound on & the time was up. Having made such a difference in the short time frame, we promised a return when we could plant something next time. Goodbyes shared and a race to the front gates, we were off.

Back on the road and it was relays to finish, weaving in and out of the installation of metal poles at the stadium, with the glorious backdrop of the Wembley Arch guiding us home.

Home…… hummmmmmm if only it were that easy!!! After a stretch and farewell Sam and Marco were gone and the GG crew were left to battle their way back to the station. After a 30 minute march around the …..Whole stadium,!!!! What would have been a 5 minute trip to the station was cordoned off with police tape and banners….. Surely they meant to have taken this down by now - we thought and so off we casually popped underneath and continued on.

Not very long after it was…… Hands in the air and STOP RIGHT THERE, Busted!! A prohibited area you say, did we tear the tape or go under it…. Hummmmm which is the correct response…….. He seems pretty mad so neither I expect. “I could arrest you all now” he said……. Erm wooopppssss Not even the Red Tees were enough to save us from that one.

After our sharp telling off, we were frog marched out of there by the old boys in blue. With our wrists officially slapped, we were sent on our way, eventually reaching the station 45mins after the end of the session!!!!

And there it is…….. Great task, great people and more excitement than we could handle in a year! A taster session that will be hard to forget!

Until next time.

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE. ……….. And avoid getting arrested at all costs!