The last group run of the year was the first group run for Ezrik,Atsiba and Teklay. Welcome to the team guys!

This week's task took us to Azalea where Tracey awaited us with a heavyweight assignment:

Step 1: Detatch and remove the two tumble dryers attached to the top of the washing machines.

Step 2: Move the washing machines down the stairs and outside for waste collection.

Step 3: Bring in and install the new washing machines, replace the tumble dryers.

Side-tasks included moving several radiator covers from the top floor, down three flights of stairs to the basement and detatching a faulty TV from it's wall bracket.

After plenty of up-and-down and heave- ho-ing we got everything in its place and said farewell and Merry Christmas to Tracey as we headed out for a gentle run through the town centre on a tree tour to take in all the festive lights.

Finally, to round off the night, and the year of Group Runs, we headed to the Bricklayer's Arms for some drink and a toast to another good year of GoodGym Luton!

We descended in All Saints like a dusting SWAT team according to one of the church wardens. Arriving at 2pm we had just an hour and a half to sweep the hall and get the tables and chairs out and take down flags left over from a previous celebration. And then it was on to cleaning, dusting and sweeping the main church. And proving that GoodGymers don't mess about we had all the jobs on the list ticked off in record time. The church was transformed and ready for Fr David's farewell service and celebration. It was lovely to catch up with Pam (one of our GoodGym tribe who has moved away) and to see GoodGym friends Richard from Club 61, Rev Grace from Hockwell Community, Sanjeev from the Gurudwara who all commented on how helpful Goodgym has been to them. So well done to the team today, but to all of the Luton Goodgymers who gave helped in so many projects across the town.

In conjunction with a long term restoration plan by the Council's Parks team, the Luton and Dunstable Conservation volunteer team, and the Friends of Dallow Downs, the mission in the middle of our run this week was targeting litter in a neglected area of the Dallow Downs.

Previous conservation activity to clear the scrub in the wooded areas revealed a lot of litter in the undergrowth, we got in there supported by Kevin from ABCD-in-Luton with the equipment and foraged 16 bags of litter from amongst the trees. Also dragged out was some laminate flooring, several wooden pallets, a drawer and a traffic cone.

On our return journey we stopped by Brantwood park for a quick blast of sprint intervals to really stretch the legs before calling it a night.

Apologies to anyone who loves the folk song Scarborough Fair, and to Simon and Garfunkle

Are you going to Hockwell Job Fair ?
Goodgymers gave up their free time.
We gave our help to those who lived near there.
Registered and helped them to sign.

Ali and Abdo had arrived their first.
Goodgymers giving lots of time.
Without no fuss they got straight to work,
Tables organised in straight lines.

Gill and Musa arrived with Omar.
Goodgymers are rays of sunshine,
They helped set up - their work was 5 star.
Every thing was ready in time.

People came to Hockwell Job Fair.
And we signed them up in the line.
Then folded tables, stacking the chairs.
Hall was tidied in record time.