12 of us met in the lobby of Solutions Gym, where we exchanged pleasantries and chatted a bit before heading off to Addiscombe Railway Park to do some gardening and litter picking. Tonight, we welcomed new comer Kate, who was doing her first run with us.

Upon arrival we were told about the various tasks awaiting us, we got stuck in and began tackling the various tasks. There were pruners, diggers and litter pickers. The diggers were busy digging up the soil from the mountain of soil, sieving it into bags and putting the stones into another bag. Through all the heavy lifting and shovelling they were left shaken ‘n’ sieved. As they laughed and chatted, they shake rattle and stoned, shake sieved and put the fresh earth in.

To Cut or not to Cut

Hedge today Gone Tomorrow

The pruners armed with secateurs and a saw cut back the edges while ensuring that the trees that had been identified as wanted were leafed alone.

Hide and Seek

While doing the rounds ensuring that everyone was accounted for and that they were working within the safety guidelines, Ingrid who had opted to do litter picking was missing, upon walking along the path calling out for her I heard her voice in the distance, she had been clearing the path of litter and got a bit carried away off the beaten track she explained that while clearing the path she noticed there were a lot of litter in the bushes so decided to clear those as well.

Task completed we all gathered around the pond looking at the tadpoles and frogs, the pond had been dug by us on a previous visit it was good to see the finish product with its occupants and plants.

This week’s fitness session we worked on lunges and planks, if you do get a spare moment please try and completed a few of each.

As mentioned in my closing this evening there are various events happening in the GoodGym community if you fancy taking part or even turning up to cheer have a butchers at the link below. At the end of each event there is always a social so pop along and get to meet GoodGymers from other areas.

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/races

Stanka will be leading next weeks group run please sign up and give her your support in my absence.

As I will be away next week we agreed that our monthly social will be on Tuesday 4 September, following our group run. Task force members please can you canvas ideas and a venue.

12 Runners donned their running gear this evening in Croydon to run 6km to help with the community garden at St Augustine’s church. Welcome to today’s visitors Stephen (GG Lewisham) and Morag (GG Wandsworth)

Making her 2nd appearance was Miriam, who enjoyed her first outing with us last week so much that she returned for more.

Upon arrival we were met by Sue and two of her neighbours who had came across to offer their assistance. Having been briefed earlier by Sue we split into two groups one group set about clearing the brambles from the compost heap and the other under the leadership of Sue began digging away the dirt that had accumulated along the outer wall of the church and spreading it in the court yard in an attempt to level the ground.

Meanwhile over the compost heap the other group were busily unearthing various artefacts of toys that had somehow found themselves over the fence in their attempt to escape the claws of the children next door. Unfortunately for them our instructions where to return them over the fence. It was quite amusing watching members of the group trying to return the toys over the fence as the toys seemed to be putting up a holy persausive argument to stay put.

Our time at St Augustine's had come to an end, Sue invited us over to her home where she has some refreshments awaiting us.

On our run back to our start point we stopped in the Queen’s Gardens for our fitness session where the runners despite the distance covered and the shift they had put in at the task still had enough in their tanks to complete some lunges and planks. On completion of our fitness session we headed back to Solutions where we completed our cool down stretches bid our farewells.

Croydon shouts?

Congratulations Helen on completing your 15th Good Deed today.

Dre completed his 1st and 2nd missions over the weekend.

Stanka completed her 1st mission over the weekend.

Next time you see them be sure to enquire about their missions and any other questions you may have that is currently stopping you from becoming mission verified.

Next week we are heading over to Addiscombe Railway gardens, be sure to sign up

Thanks to our back marker Stephen for ensuring no one was left behind!

Keep doing good. See you next week.