Time to take down the remembrance poppies that we'd put up on lamp posts along Welling high street a few weeks ago.

The plan was to release the cable ties so they can be re-used next year. We each had a go, using screwdrivers to ease the grippy-bit but, despite our best efforts, no-one could master the trick.

So to plan B: cutting the ties instead. Even that was easier said than done - those thick plastic straps were super-tough to cut through! ✂️

GoodGym persistence prevailed and we walked-and-talked our way between lamp posts to get the job done.

With poppies safely stored away we headed home.

Next week's task sees us back in Welling, putting up stickers that thank sponsors of the town's Christmas lights. Why not come along and have some fun with us!

There was lovely party atmosphere helping at The Community Hospice's Boogie Wonderland fundraiser.

We were on cloakroom duty, along with Carl, one of the Hospice's regular volunteers.

Having perfectly organised the hangers and sorted out all the cloakroom tickets, we were all set for guests to arrive. 🧥🥼

Who knew that checking in coats would include so much chat, fun and laughter? and there was plenty of time to enjoy a drink and a spot of dancing. 🕺🕺🏼

Lovely to have Karen with us, congratulations on your first GoodGym task. 🥳

Our team of four arrived at 7pm sharp to begin the task of tidying up the front and side areas around the library in Welling.

Being GoodGym, we had made our way either running, walking or by bike to add a little additional exercise into the task in hand. 🏃🏻‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚴‍♀️

The weeds and litter were immediately evident and this did at first appear to be a gargantuan task! However once we got started it didn’t take long to begin to see a difference.

Sarah and I set to work at the front; weeding, litter picking, sweeping and generally sprucing the entrance up.

Martin set to work with his gloves and bag to attack the litter and weeds.

The brambles on the side path looked insurmountable but, undaunted, Sue soon had them in hand and did a sterling job hacking them back with her loppers!

Once we’d finished at the front we helped the others tidy the side area and swept and bagged up all the weeds. Five sack-loads in an hour.

Time to run home and reflect on the task. Hard work but rewarding. We had many passers by looking with interest at what we were doing and the highlight for us was the gentleman that stopped and simply said, “Thank you so much”.

Great work team!

Karen and I arrived at 4pm and met with Sue at the Boathouse. We were joined by Rich and Martin and also Thembi and another volunteer from London Borough of Bexley (who were working alone and asked to join us) so we made up a group of 7 hi viz heroes along with many others including Zahra from Mencap with her team and a huge group of Army Cadets and Police Cadets.

We were briefed by Danny, one of the event organisers. Our role was to be a presence in and around the event, answer questions about toilet facilities, location of the firework display, first aid, lost property hub and how to deal with incident referrals such as lost children and trouble. Which I am happy to report there was none!

We had access to 50% discounts on food trucks up until the park opening at 5pm which some of us took advantage of. Along with free tea, coffee, cold drinks, sweets and snacks in the volunteers marquee. We made ourselves a coffee then had a walk around the site to familiarise ourselves with the pricing and locations of everything.

After this we had a bit of free time to enjoy the rides ourselves. Three of us went on the ghost train and were confronted at every dark corner with ghouls and ghosts galore! Karen then suggested the waltzer. My school girl error was to tell the twister man not to twist me. Of course I came off feeling a bit dizzy and green and my head was pounding. My suggestion for a “ride” was the mirror maze. Sue and I managed to get out reasonably quickly however Martin was disappearing further in but eventually escaped unscathed.

We then spent an hour or so walking the site and answering questions from the visitors.

Whilst we waited for the fireworks and made ourselves available near the main thoroughfare for people entering the park we had a dance, led mainly by Sue, to some of the tunes being played by the resident DJ from Maritime Radio. He spotted us and came over to talk to us about how we got involved. Karen explained that we were part of the Mencap cohort and I told him a little bit about Goodgym and the exercise and good deeds ethos of the group. He invited Goodgym to come along to the live radio show to accept one of their monthly “Hearts of Gold” awards. An unexpected bonus for sure!!

Soon after this the countdown to the fireworks began. A rousing first explosion of colour was accompanied musically by “The Greatest Show” followed by a plethora of different fireworks, small, large, curly, sparkly, loud bangs, whistles and dancing stars. Finishing with an absolutely beautiful crescendo of red and white chrysanthemums across the night sky.

A bit more dancing was on the cards and we led some of the visitors in the Cha Cha slide!!! After handing in our hi viz jackets and a bit of lost property we’d been given we were free to leave.

Such a great way to see the fireworks but more importantly to give something to the local community. Not money but time, which can of course be equally precious with the busy lives we lead.

Lisa Baxter