With the threat of Storm Bert heading our way, 7 GoodGymers wrapped up warm to head out this morning for some parkrun volunteering. As an incentive Leanne brought along some delicious cake for us, even though she wasn't joining us for the task. What a superstar! Rich wasn't allowed to be left unattended with it though, in case it all mysteriously disappeared before we'd finished our parkrun duties. We reconvened after a fantastic 580 runners had made their way round a very muddy course. Robert selected some cake before heading off for the day, Sallyann was off to visit her mum and the rest of us headed for our customary Wetherspoons breakfast to reward ourselves for our "hard" work. Eden was very excited to be having her second breakfast of the day, particularly as it was followed by cake. Andy realised he had too many layers on once we were indoors and was close to expiring so decided to take his home with him.

Ben brought along his donations for the reverse advent calendar collection for the foodbank. Anyone else who is contributing to the collection will need to get their donations to me this week please. If you are coming along to our task on Wednesday, I'm happy to take them then. We will be doing a leaflet drop followed by some leaving drinks for Joe who is off to the only English city to be excommunicated by the Pope. Make of that what you will!

After a string of poor excuses, only the bravest of goodgymers met last night (having a baby? pssh).

Traffic was awful so there was a lot of discussion over the best way through town right now, and the answer is clearly on foot.

Fay, Andy and Richard drove in but survived the ordeal. The excellent 'reverse advent calendar' foodbank collection is underway. Joe appeared when summoned by Andy.

A cold run to the church hall and we got to work, it's like we've never cleared any leaves at all every time we visit but it keeps us out of trouble. Everything was filling up with piles of leaves still waiting to be lifted so a brisk walk for a bin secondment allowed us to get more picked up for collection day.

We will be back for more leaves in a few weeks!

On a chilly November evening we met at the old factory gym ready for a bit of leafleting.

After regaling others with mine and David's firewalk last week we set off into the night.

We met Sallyann and Leanne in the Lidl carpark with the leaflets expertly folded from last weeks task.

Richard got stuck into the task and was galloping between the houses as Andy started to feel the cold and regretted not wearing the extra layer.

Walking and chatting through the winding streets we came towards the end of pile of leaflets and Kate wasn't sure which way was her home until we turned the corner and realised we were back at Lidl.

Back at the Sallyann's car we talked about what we were having for dinner when Sallyann realised she had missed a dark carrier bag full of even more leaflets. lol

So next week we shall be clearing leaves at St Johns church hall and the following week we will finish the leafleting (with maybe some litterpicking too)

Great to see you all, and hope to see you again next week

remember....

RUN HAPPY

Rich

Four of us nutters decided to do something a little different on a Wednesday night, but still a good deed, for Mid & North East Essex Mind. We signed up to walk on 1200 degree fire!

When we got there, Rich wouldn't shut up about his dry robe, Ben started to look nervous, Joe upset us all by moving telling us about his impending move to Norwich, and I hadn't had a baby yet.

After a great briefing from Cliff, we were ready. Ben sprinted across, Rich strava'd it and deservedly got a blister, I enjoyed the extra 200 degrees they put on for me, and Joe was Mr. Casual.

We also got pizza and a certificate! Find out more about Mind here: https://mnessexmind.org/ Amazing work offering hope and support for good mental health, so that no one feels alone.

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.

It was a dark and stormy night.. well, it wasn't stormy but it was dark- and it is halloween so just imagine.

Erin got there nice and early to skulk in the shadows. I was attacked by a giant spider on the way to meet the gang. David had been under Frankensteins blade (explains all the extra body weight). Rich was terrifying as usual. Kate was riding a DIY-high and eager to crack on.

We trotted down the highstreet avoiding any slippery leaves. At the hall we found another spider (Sallyann), a pumpkin (Laurie) and.. the devil? (sorry Fay). They had made an excellent start and we blitzed through the brown bins in no time. Goodgym will be back soon to re-leaf the hall of the remainder of foliage as it drops over the next few weeks.

See you next week for some pub based prep.