We last ran to de-weed the Cricketers Arms for the Mechanics’ Institution Trust back in October. That was a really satisfying, classic GoodGym task – run to an interesting area, deliver for a group looking to improve and develop it’s community, to do a task that clearly needs doing.

but as is always the way with weeds, eventually they come back!

We recently noticed on a group run to Playsteps nursery that the weeds had re-grown. So, forming a plan, TaskForce member Mike had a chat with Trainer Emma, who put in a call to Hannah from the Mechanics’, and before we knew it we were here again for a midweek Community Mission! Perfect timing with the Cricket World Cup going on in England and Wales!

Planned as a Thursday night mini-Group Run, Mike, Ashleigh, Charles, Sam and newcomer Emily met at the Oasis. After a quick recap of what vegetable we would be, we LBW (Legged-it Before Weeding) the long route around New College, under the railway bridge and down Station Road.

When we reached the Cricketers, we met Simon (sorry we missed you at the Oasis!), Teresa, Gabby and Hannah from the Mechanics’. From there, we whipped out the tools, buckets and bin bags, and Hannah left us to get weeding!

Before we knew it, Andrew appeared after running from home to join us weeding, making us a group of 9. Not bad considering only 2 of us were signed up for this Community Mission a week ago!

The evening quickly became a tale of trowels and tribulations for the weeds. With fork, shovel and gloves, we knocked them straight for six. As we pulled a century of weeds, there were no boundaries to our efforts! After only 35 minutes, the weeds were all caught out and the innings were done!

We stopped for a group photo, taken by a lovely member of the Mechanics’ Institution Trust who was extremely grateful for our hard work, and checked in with Hannah with a Howzat?!

As Alethia arrived, we split up to head home – Sam scoping out the route for next week’s Group Run with Gabby, who lives nearby, others heading straight home and a handful of us heading back to the Oasis.

What’s coming up for GoodGym Swindon?

We’ve got lots and lots of lovely listed Group Runs and Community Missions available here!

Next Tuesday, July 2nd we’re Clearing the Traverser at Steam.

We’ve even got a race listed on Sunday, July 28th when we’re off to Avebury for the Trust10 there.