32 people in total shifted wood for a Community Fest and shifted and spread 2 tonnes of soil and maulch for The Woodlawns Centre

On a brisk Tuesday evening 30 runners gathered at City Pantry for another night of lifting, digging and GoodGym-ing. The group was quickly split into those opting for a short and speedy 4K run around Brixton or an epic 8K run to Streatham and back.

Those of us on the shorter run headed over to Brixton Sports and Social Club where we were greeted by the warmth of a big bonfire and three piles of wood, ready for shifting. The garden is being used this Saturday for a Caribbean and Latin community event organised by event management students at The University of Greenwich, which will be raising money for the Social Club. Avoiding the odd splinter, rusty nail and a few spiders, we stacked the wood underneath the stage to clear the garden and make space for the artist's area. We made short work of the job and set off for our 4K run, heading into Lougborough junction, through Herne Hill and past Brockwell Park. Those at the front went for a sprint finish across Windrush Square and back to City Pantry.

Laura and Jen

Thanks to Lauren for holding the map and looking after the backmarkers

Woodlawns

Ah Streatham! Hamlet on the Street, St Reatham. Garden suburb of SE London, birthplace of Level 42 and 25% of Bucks Fizz. And on Tuesday evening destination for the Good Gym-ers of Brixton on a mission to prepare a strip of garden for the Streatham Derby and Joan club in time for a herb planting session this coming Saturday.

" frantic forking"

This was earnest, honest toil (free from the moral dilemma posed by, say for example, a stray packet of hobnobs at a soup kitchen..) supervised and encouraged by Sue and Cheryl from the club. A top layer of soil was weeded and turned in record time. With Ivo meticulously time checking our efforts, frantic forking, much mulching and serious spading ensured that, miraculously, 2 tonnes of soil and mulch were shifted and spread in 40 minutes. Apparently it was particularly important that the mulch layer was in place. The flowers that previously were in this planter had been stolen and it transpires that a lack on mulch invalidates flower insurance. Who knew? Fact of the day surely. Time for a quick group photo and then the gallop home with the group split into “crazy horse” and “more sensible” speed packs. Inevitably the law of natural handicap came into play with the fastest having no-one to follow, getting lost and last seen heading downhill to Norwood.

" sprinting shepherd"

Extra brownie points to Alex – the “sprinting shepherd” who hared off in pursuit to round up those straying from the flock. Excellent effort Alex. Your friend may have done one more Goodgym run than you but would he be willing to go the extra mile? Literally. I don’t think so.

Well done to all on a fantastic effort.

Robert Elliot