Last night saw round 2 of GoodGym Newham's fast flyering for Cody Dock's Frost Fair, coming up on 30th November.

Firstly though, a congratulations to the Princes, Kev and Sharon, respectively our figurative patriarch and matriarch, on their 30th wedding anniversay! And they would have chosen our group run to celebrate it too, had work and illness not gotten in the way. We'll have to save the OJ & Lemonades till next time...

Back to the task - great to have a few more of us this week, which certainly helped with the pretty substantial stack of flyers we were to post through letterboxes to promote the Frost Fair in the local community. Apparently flyering does make a difference to the number of people attending Cody Dock's events, and we even had a special request to go a bit further north of Star Lane, getting the word out to even more folks than we would usually cover. I think we distributed about 700 flyers between the two weeks, so well done everyone!

Just a plug for the event though if anyone is tempted to go (and we've been to past iterations - they are highly recommended) - the Frost Fair is a free community event with craft stalls, outdoor games, live music, fire sculpture, choir singing, food & drink, a free cycle maintenance workshop and other activities. More details on the Cody Dock website

For anyone tempted by gardening and excellent post-task snacks, we're at Emanuel Church this Saturday, and then off to the Adventure Playground next Tues - deets to follow on the WhatsApp.

A pleasantly warm evening for the team of four

A quick catch up at The Print house before we headed down the River Lea to Cody Dock

Hilary had thankfully collected the leaflets earlier in the day as when we arrived the Dock was i darkness and locked up...so a slight detour before we headed towards Star Lane

We decided to stay as one group and managed to post most of the leaflets and gentle walk back to the Print House and decided to deliver a few more leaflets.

Still plenty of streets to let know about the Frost Fair so will be returning towards Star Lane to deliver the last of the flyers.

Swansong session yesterday, with a tremendous turnout of some of my favourite people, a lovely conclusion to a job that gave me so much.

It transpired that I've run out of Random Weekly Questions, trying to refrain from a deeper enquiry about change or anything of the tear-jerking variety, hence I was blank; so we rolled a positive and somewhat sentimental question: "Favourite GoodGym organisation ?" Turns out there were loads, no clear winner, an indication of how broad our church is and how many remarkable local projects there are.

I then proceeded to say a few words, delving into what GoodGym has given me. For those who know me know that discussing and interrogating my emotions isn't what I consider a night out, I'm a huge advocate for the dated practice of bottling things up, but the occasion was worthy.

To reiterate what I may have mumbled, I'm mostly grateful for the lifelong friendships, enforced by the experiences of volunteering, running, British weather, travelling, racing and drinking. With a special nod to a lovely couple, whose relationship was forged by a series of Wednesday evening connections. Proud, for the impact we have had on the locality, the number of messages I get saying "how amazing your volunteers are". Equally, proud for the transformational change many of you have undergone through running. Loss, because I will miss you all. But I always end with this positive feeling; I think because it's now left in a very capable set of hands; arise Task Force.

Amongst this milestone, we did actually do some good yesterday, in the form of my least favourite task, flyering. The morale was high, so it was hit easily absorbed. With the return of some long-serving sisters, Mel and Ruth (and later Charlotte), it felt like 2019 again, what a treat to see you, appreciate the effort to come. With big numbers comes big effect, and we managed to get our flyering done in no time, leaving many moments to loiter and talk curb-side.

With the realisation I can't summarise nor do justice to my thoughts on my tenure, I'll wrap this up now. But not after a huge thanks to my lovely photo-book compilation.

It's not bye, but see you later.

Till next time,

B

Sunny July eve yesterday, a welcome break from relentless rain, as the team congregated at PrintHouse. The England game on our minds we were efficient in our pre-run chat, discussing a fluid RWQ, that changed its face depending on who answered. Loosely - "what's been one of your favourite jobs?" Bar work on a boat, dental work at the Para-Olympics, Librarian duties at uni, temp work in Poland, more bar work and finally having the privilege of running the best community running group in the world for 7.5 years.

We hustled down the canal discussing where some of the islands around the mass of England are, why Jersey and Guernsey share similar names, Australian survivor and England football teams style of play.

Boss lady Basia gave us a few leaflets for an activity session they're hosting for kids, we jogged off and dished them out to the locals. Highlights:

• a lovely lady that gave us three bottles of water "for your troubles"
• a fella that questioned why Adam was here "Australia is much better, it's shit here"
• not getting fingers bitten clean off by a chihuahua

We all dashed back in various directions to get home and shout at the telly, and it worked! Enjoy the final on Sunday guys!

Next week we're at Hackney Adventure Playground, always good for the soul, sign up here

We headed to Cody Docks Summer Tidal event which had linked with Newham Heritage month and London Festival of Architecture.

The dock has seen lots of changes in the years we have been helping and has new plans moving forward.

We had been invited to let the visitors know the work we do to help the local community.

We also got to witness the rolling bridge in action an amazing piece of machinery.

Hils, Rebecca, a returning Rosie and myself jogged over to Cody Dock last night. We discussed the "first piece of music we bought": NOW 28, Spice Girls (Wannabe), Taylor Swift and Living La Vida Loca. It was a different time, man, the energy was real, dude. But seriously, I loved that Sony Walkman.

We nipped down the canal into a brisk wind, discussing country music politics, the new behaviours of music consumption and Rebecca's classy half marathon debut. Basia was on imperious form at location, mocking me without hesitation. She showed us to our task, which I sold as the new adrenaline sport of our time, flyering. Fortunately, it was moving a massive load of sand bags about thirty feet. Then tearing them open and spreading them out for a soundscape, part of an exhibition, darling. Some might call it an immersive experience, others might call it an experience you immerse yourself into, but make no doubt, there's immersion going on.

Was wrapped up inside an hour and then we dance back off into night, just your average mobile art installation team. Thanks for a lovely eve.

Just getting some listings sorted for the weeks ahead, looks like Get Out next week, then the Adventure Playground the week after.

Before I leave, Hils - we wish you a powerful 26.2 mile celebration of movement this weekend. Do your thing, we believe.

Till next week,

B