Jane was first to the gym, keen to escape her desk (even if it is opposite the pub). Richard had sprinted to get his interval training in. Andy arrived, refreshed from his holiday. We detoured a bit on route to the pub to avoid some of the traffic where the bag of leaflets were waiting for us.

Richard very kindly got the first (and only) round in (because we were just too efficient).

Sallyann slid on to the table like a ninja completing her 100th good deed!

Leaflets were bundled and folded so everyone will know about some excellent local schemes - Santa fun runs, panto, carols, Christmas tree collections, and the work by CHESS in the community.

“We’re leaving at half six on the dot. That’s ON THE DOT, OK?”

Rich? Being on time? Really?

Yes. And we had to get back in time because the forecast was saying thunderstorms at eight.

18:29 and a few seconds, and Rich was keen to get us going. Everyone happy? Know where we’re going? Headtorches ready? Strava on?

“Yes, Richard” came a voice from the back. When your wife says your full name, it’s time to be quiet and get going. Rich was run leading but it’s nice to know Jane has him under control when needed.

We set off – exactly on time – for the long uphill stretch to Beaulieu while it was still just about light. Andy was happily backmarking and telling Joe – still sore from a half marathon – about why it’s worth waking up at 4am and going to Romania for a waterpark.

“Turn right here guys!”

“Yes, Richard!”

Richard P was up front setting the pace, and before it got dark we were at the last road crossing before Beaulieu. A quick sprint across when there were no headlights coming, and all we had to do from there was follow our noses to the chippy smell and listen out for the dance music playing upstairs in the community centre.

We got to Beaulieu Community Centre ready for some cleaning. Fay, Leanne and Russell were already there and admiring the GCSE Art exhibition in the entrance. It was all very impressive stuff and gave us all kinds of inspiration for the next time we paint prison benches or pop-up shop walls.

We split into smaller groups, got the buckets and sponges and made very quick work of cleaning some already pretty clean loos and corridors. By the time we were done, there were no paint splashes left anywhere – and if you were cleaning as vigorously as Richard P and the coconut fibre sponge he’d got, not much wall paint either.

A bit more art admiration later and it was time to head back. Andy was telling his waterpark story for about the fourth time – this time to Russell – but they paused for long enough to join a team photo in front of the King. (Ten points if anyone can photoshop a GoodGym logo onto his robes!)

Leanne said she’d start running back with us but ducked out soon after we’d crossed the road. Turns out our route home went right by her front door! She didn’t even get to enjoy the long downhill bit. Richard P also speared off home to try and make it back before things got too wet and stormy…

Jane and Erin were praying hard for a thunderstorm, and they just about got their wish. It had been dry all the way back but the first lightning flashes hit right as we arrived back at the gym. The thunder came a loooooooong time later… Could we make it home and stay dry? Yes, Richard. After all, it never rains at GoodGym.

Spoiler alert – only some of us stayed dry. Others went home via a McRib and/or fish & chips and got caught. Hopefully it’s dry for the Barrow Farm mission this Sunday – see you there!

Last week’s poem about suspicious lemonade seemed to go down well. Which is good, because this week’s litter pick found even more stuff dumped in the bushes, including several bottles of hedgerow homebrew.

Jane was back with us for another run and looking forward to a delicious, uninterrupted weekend without Rich. Because it takes all sorts to build a world, he was looking forward to going home via a plant-based Whopper.

Robert went for his trademark jazzy shorts and socks again but it wasn’t warm, so David led us out and we warmed up on the run. Destination B&M, via a roundabout route to find Laurie and Sallyann who’d walked to the river. We sent Rich up the path to check if they were there and somehow resisted the temptation to hide before he came back.

So. Much. Litter. The usual piles of McDonalds, disposable vapes and energy drinks, but there were also some vintage finds tonight. Heidi and Joe had to go halves with litter pickers to grab a huge can of GOLD WHIP gas. It was empty but there were no empty balloons around, so maybe Chelmsford’s nitrous lovers take their laughing gas straight from the can?

That wasn’t enough of a find for Andy, who came around the corner exclaiming “I’ve found a washing machine!” Bit big for a bin bag… Happily, it was only a bit of a washing machine, which had clearly been there a while judging by the amount of ivy that tied it to a tree. With some delicate kicking and Andy yanking the other end, it was freed and bagged.

We’d only managed to clear a short stretch of the car park by the time we had to leave. Everyone agreed it was the most litter we’d ever found in a pick (we ran out of bags!) and thankfully, the two dumped shopping baskets we found became bins for the heavier stuff.

Five bags and five-and-a-bit kms later, job done. Thanks everyone for coming, and see you on Saturday for parkrun. Apparently it’s Chelmsford’s birthday, so try fancy dress!