This Saturday 9 runners met at Penarth Pier Pavilion to run to help out at the Tabernacle Baptist Church. They assembled in the beautiful entrance hall – some earlier than others due to Parkrun and Rugby traffic! ;o)

Mikey led the warm up and introduction in front of the Pier as we welcomed a brand-new member, Jonathan, to the club. Welcome aboard! Then we set off towards our task…. Or did we! We ran up through the stunning Alexandra Park, the views were not enough to distract some from the hill!

FUN FACT: “Penarth is known as the ‘Garden by the sea’

We stuck together as a group with Lucy kindly taking up the roll of backmarker, no one gets left behind! We popped out in the town alongside the Railway station and ran up past the tennis club to the top of Alexandra park, where we……dropped back down to the sea front! We looped back past the Pavilion and up into the Kymin for a quick visit to the Bug Hotel. Once we had “checked out” we ran up Kymin Terrace to hit Plassey Street. From the look on peoples faces and the enthusiastic swearing I think it was fair to say everyone enjoyed the Penarth hill work! :o) We arrived at the Tabernacle on time and were met by the Youth Pastor, Owen. He took some time to explain about the building and the good work they do in the community. Owen had two tasks for us to do today…….

The Fab 5

The fab 5 took on the task of setting up for the quiz being hosted that evening. After they tabernacled moving all of the existing chairs out into the sports hall it was time to get them out……..the tables that is! Using the wonderful trolley of tables it was completed quite quickly, but there was a bit of worry when some tables seemed very low. But we were reassured that it was correct and carried on. Ellen, Fiona, Lucy, Mathew & Mikey were throwing furniture around. As Fiona (AKA Teach) deemed Lucy ‘unteachable’ when educating her in the Welsh language…….Mathew felt “chairitable” and took up the challenge, he had her counting chairs in Welsh - Un, dau, tri, pedwar, pump…. Da iawn! Ellen took to the chair trolley and learnt a new skill as the rest put 6 chairs around each table. The task was done, just as in the plan provided our room was a delight!

The Fantastic 4

The Van Gogh-Gymmers of the group headed up and up and up to the Youth Room which was in need of painting. Jonathan, Nic, Dave and Darren cracked on slapping on some colour onto the walls in keeping with their new scheme. 2 white walls, a feature green one and a funky blackboard wall where inspiration quotes and musings could be written. The team ploughed on with the painting - except Nic who seemed to get more paint on herself than the walls! Jonathan got his play list going on his phone to help team morale – he can come again! They sang along…..well…….Dave sang along……well…..Dave made up words and hummed along! As they neared the end, in true Goodgym spirit the Fab 5 came to join in for the final push to finish the room!

Owen was pleased with both tasks, he gave us a quick tour round and we took some photos before running off towards the Pier in the November sunshine. Well done all.

PS – Here is the ELO FACT - it failed during the task but is true all the same!

Please turn me over!

https://wespeakmusic.tv/you-always-misheard-the-lyrics-of-mr-blue-sky-by-electric-light-orchestra/