A cold February evening, softened by the silvery whole moon up high, turned into a very successful, and highly commended, burst of litter-picking activity. In short, half a dozen volunteers filled two large rubbish bags half-full of litter, in just half an hour... and that doesn't cover half of it! Buckle up for the full story...

This mission had been arranged by John as a garden-clearing challenge at the Cranbrook Community Centre and Food Garden. However, by 7pm, with our group of eight Goodgym volunteers (mostly) assembled, Eileen informed us of the sad news that Janet was poorly. Thus, the evening's activity could not proceed as expected.

We all wish Janet a strong and speedy recovery back to better health.

Back at the site, and with untapped garden-clearing energy on ice, our initial team of six considered the alternative outlets to pour forth the bucketfuls of positivity that come from any Goodgym gathering.

The mutinous thought of an early return home to enjoy a hot bath, tempting though it may have been, had not even started to cross our dedicated Goodgym minds. Well, perhaps there was a quickly murmured suggestion, but such ideas stalled and shrunk into silence, when, all of a sudden...

Dan seemed to pull off a miraculous conjuring trick, presenting a complete set of litter-picking equipment, Mary Poppins style, out of a modest-sized rucksack. With credit and thanks to Dan's GG Liverpool friends, his neat collection of picker, two bags and a hoop somehow near-perfectly provided for our team, keen to spread some clearing-up love around about the Cranbrook surroundings.

Rohan, whose kudos earnings were already high for cycling to the mission, set out to begin a careful and thorough picking operation, teaming up with trusty John and an unstoppably dynamic pair of Emmas.

John's responsible commitment to health and safety ensured everybody had gloves and knew why - apparently not just for keeping warm and dry, and preserving nail polish. No, gloves guard you from the not-immediately-identifiable and possibly sharp, possibly spiky items lurking in the undergrowth. So, hear this rubbish hunters, wherever you are picking: gloves on!

Fresh from birthday celebrations, Emma J. strode off, aglow with her usual vitality, such that most litter she encountered simply tidied itself into a nearby bin of its own accord. Completing that quartet, and undeterred by a recent nasty collision with a reckless cyclist, (Southern) Emma whirled her way around the area, taking excellent photos of all the best litter-picking action.

The remaining pair of pickers, Chris and Dan, stepped out at a purposeful pace, in strong agreement about the transformational improvement of litter-free flower beds, pavements and benches.

Also noted were the virtues of that finest of everyday walk accessories, the litter-picker: for Chris it was the comfortable reach it offers and for Dan it was the wonder of its dexterity, picking litter of all shapes and sizes. As per the gloves reminder above: OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES!

Oh! And, as per the photo evidence, whilst all off busy delivering our revised Monday night activity, there appears to have been a fly-by drop-in litter-pick moment from Lobo and Anna... They came and, like the eye of the (full) moon flashing open and closed between passing clouds, they slipped away into the fresh dark of the approaching night.

Rejoining up as a nearly fully unified team from respective adventures, we enjoyed, even indulged, that warm sense of satisfaction, some might say smugness: in the space of a half-hour or so's rubbish hunt we had collected enough litter to present the aforementioned pair of half-full rubbish bags.

The prize for top find was awarded to Emma J., who retrieved a completed school report card (see photo), which gifted the opportunity to generously self-assess our evening's efforts with a resounding "full marks". The inspiration for this report's self-congratulatory headline, too!

One final time, team scores on the doors: "Full marks, GG team!" That said, whilst some clearing up was necessary and noticeable, all agreed that this neighbourhood's hygiene rating was impressive. The local area appeared well-kempt with just a scattering of litter dropped here and there. To Tower Hamlets folk it is fair and right to share our praise and recognition: "(Nearly) full marks, TH!"

It was a bitterly cold evening, with frost clinging to the ground, but that didn’t dissuade 13 Tower Hamlets diehards, wrapped in many layers, gathering for our first group task of 2026. Breath hung in the air as we pulled on gloves and got to work, determined not to let the temperature dampen our spirits. The Cranbrook garden was still carpeted with wet, fallen leaves, somehow unhardened by the icy conditions

Despite numb fingers and stiff muscles, the group worked steadily, gathering leaves into large piles, bagging them, and Chris even repeating his Cranbrook party trick of jumping into the wheelie bin, to stamp the debris down and create more space for the seemingly never-ending flow of leaf piles. Periodic bursts of laughter and much conversation helped to break through the chill, and the physical effort brought a degree of warmth

By 19:45, the thick carpet of leaves had disappeared, just a few clinging on between blades of grass, and the lucky 13 felt proud, rosy-cheeked, and energised. There only remained the logistically difficult problem of getting everyone in a selfie, and the difficult negotiation of the frozen pavements outside

On a dark and damp Monday evening, GoodGymers gathered at Cranbrook Community Centre - fresh back from weekends as far-flung as Liverpool, Hertfordshire, Rye (in Sussex, not the bread), Argentina(!), and of course, Newham.

Cranbrook’s lovely garden had been completely overtaken by soggy, slippy leaves - turning paths into skating rinks and corners of the garden into no-go zones. Armed with two rakes, a broom, and plenty of optimism, we set to work, clearing and sweeping until the place looked recognisable again. John even spruced up the community notice board, ready to display this season’s offerings.

We joined forces with the brilliant Janet and Eileen, who’ve been helping out at the centre for “over 20 years – I’ve lost track, it’s been so long!” Eileen had previously vowed not to come once it got dark, but the lure of GoodGym proved too strong, and she ended up getting stuck in herself.

After an hour of raking, sweeping, and gathering, the paths were clear, the leaves were bagged, and the community garden was once again safe for all the local groups who use it.

We rounded off the evening with some Alfajores that Caterina had bought back from Argentina (soft, crumbly South American biscuits sandwiched with dulce de leche), although Janet and Eileen, in true east-end fashion, insisted on calling them Wagon Wheels - and to be fair, they weren’t entirely wrong!

See you all next week 🍂

It was a good turn-out at Cranbrook Community Centre tonight, with a lot of “Fiona-style” late sign-ups. Which was a nice surprise actually, after initially low numbers. Anna arrived ultra-punctually (i.e. early), and was soon planning the cutting back of hedges overlooking the public areas, though we weren’t entirely sure whether we were supposed to be cutting down a tree somewhere

We were dazzled by Lucinda’s arrival on time, or maybe it was her bike lights. Kat came pretty much straight off the plane from Canada. Having found the country rather large and spaced out, she was relieved to get into the close confines of Cranbrook garden

Laura turned up full of enthusiasm, and immediately started organising things. I’m sure I’ve seen her before somewhere…

Fiona, who’d run from Clapton, thought she’d left her bag at the station, but it was at home all the time. That’s what happens when you get a year older

Ciarán and Kareem swept and swept, until the main area was completely clear of leaves – for now. Chris was a whirlwind of energy, keeping everyone stocked with bags for both foliage and branches from the other side of the fence

It was a productive hour filled with good conversation, collective effort, and a significant improvement to the area’s appearance

Next week we’re at Columbia Road gardens. Sign up here, sooner or later: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-big-monday-night-task-planting-weeding-and-topping-up-woodchip-in-columbia-road-gardens

Before that, on Saturday, you can help with a water station in Chingford, feeding hungry and thirsty 50km runners https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/camino-ultra-epping-forest-50km-and-25km-eco-trail-aid-station-superstars-2025

On Sunday, you can take part in a GoodGym advert, filmed at Hollybush, Bethnal Green, which will appear on Sky TV https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/filming-a-goodgym-tv-ad-at-hollybush

And looking ahead, we’re getting a train to Dover later in the month, to do a 15km coastal walk https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/walk-from-dover-to-folkestone

The team of 15 GoodGymers arrived one by one at the Cranbrook Community Centre just off Roman Road.

It wasn’t long before our group had grown- we were delighted to welcome first-time GoodGymer Zeeshan.

The group promptly divided into three smaller teams to get stuck into the evening’s tasks under the watchful eye of task owners Janet and Eileen.

The first team got to grips with a furniture check... With the centre well-used by local groups and residents we wanted to check a stash of trestle tables were in good condition and safe to use. Each table was tested for wobble before returning them inside, after which the team put some energy into moving the bright and cheerful wendy house to a more suitable spot, before embarking on a thorough litter pick. A surprising amount to collect, the team kept at it, steadily clearing up the outdoor area, leaving it tidy for users of the community centre.

Outside the gates, another team turned their attention to the hedge that runs along the pavement. With branches starting to obstruct the pavement, the pruning team carefully trimmed them back, helping to keep the path safe and clear for pedestrians before heading around to the bin area with the many weeds and branches.

Meanwhile, the third group concentrated on leaf-picking around the garden borders. Over time, leaves tend to collect between the fences and the beds, so the team worked methodically to gather them up, leaving the edges looking neat and cared-for.

We worked quickly and productively for 45 minutes, then shortly before 8, we packed away the kit, gathered for that all-important group photo, and then headed out onto Mace Street. With the daylight fading, we enjoyed a top-to-toe stretching session to round things off.

Another great night in Tower Hamlets, thanks to Janet and Eileen and the wonderful Tower Hamlets GoodGymers.

We break for the Bank Holiday next week, but return to the fun Canal Club Community Garden on September 1st!

Until then.

As July comes to a warm and sunny end, this evening saw 12 GoodGymers arriving at the Cranbrook Community Centre. A well-used, much loved asset on the Cranbrook Estate, the Centre's cared for by longstanding task owners Janet and Eileen.

Welcoming Caterina and Frankie to their first GoodGym, and Kirsti to her first Tower Hamlets GoodGym, we headed to the tool box to select our instruments for tonight’s task.

Everyone got stuck in straight away. Some of the GoodGymers worked in pairs, others on their own, all tackling a variety of jobs.

Hedges were trimmed, leaves cleared from garden borders, and litter picked.

The notice boards at the front of the centre were cleared of rose bushes, so locals passing by can see more easily the activities taking place at the centre.

As 8pm approached, the team headed around the corner to start cutting back trees hanging over the pavement!

A tidy, cared-for environment that helps to make the centre feel welcoming, our efforts in the garden were much appreciated this evening.

After posing for that all-important group pic, we headed out to the Mace Street wall for our Monday stretching session. A great end to an absolutely brilliant night.

Next week, we’re headed to the Canal Club Community Garden for gardening, cake and swimming…

Until then.