A visit to Emmanuel church for the team on Tuesday.

We started on the preparation for 2 new flower beds in the church ground.

They have a grassed area between some of the tress and the church members decided they need more flowers,which would help the pollinators.

Grass was removed and taken to the compost pile,the ground was a little dry but Adam made light work of loosing it up,a great way to celebrate his 25th good deed

Two new beds are now ready for the bulbs to be planted.

We look forward to seeing them bloom next year.

And again the ladies did us a wonderful post task feast......I didn't get a photo of the chicken...which disappeared very quickly

We are off to St Marys Allotment next week for some fence dismantling....Head torches are a must

On Tuesday evening last week (apologies for the delay), a brave band of GoodGymmers took on a task that was part DIY makeover, part arachnid diplomacy, and entirely brilliant.

Our mission: transform a small room in a local church into something a little less “spider sanctuary” and a little more “welcoming space.” Armed with rollers, masking tape, and nerves of steel, we got to work.

First up—taping. The edges of doors and skirting boards were treated to a precision masking job worthy of a crime scene investigator. No paint was going rogue on our watch. Special mention and welcome to Steven who worked wonders with the tape!

Then came the floor protection phase, where we laid down cardboard and paper like we were preparing for a Jackson Pollock session. The room looked like it was about to host a very cautious picnic.

But before any painting could begin, we had to face our eight-legged co-tenants. Cobwebs clung to corners, and spiders the size of small dogs (okay, maybe not that big) peered down from the rafters. We were assured they wouldn’t bite, but that didn’t stop a few squeals and some impressive ladder acrobatics as we cleared the high-up hideouts.

With the room de-spidered and the floor safely swaddled, we got rolling—literally. About half the room got a fresh coat of paint, and while we didn’t quite finish the job, we left it looking brighter and cleaner.

Big thanks to everyone who came along and brought their best brushwork, bravery, and banter. Same time next week—unless the spiders file a complaint.

A return visit to Emmanuel Church to see the wonderful team.

Sybil had planned for us to start the digging of the new flower bed but due to how warm it had been the ground was too hard but as always she had a plan b.

Digging in the already established beds for some new planting and prune back the over hanging tree branches and remove the low shoots.

I was asked to check out a task for next month....painting the room we helped clear last year.

Pruning and digging complete we headed in side for some refreshments....

Next week is a visit to Cody Dock for leafleting to let local residents know about the upcoming event Lighting up the Lea

Graham took on leading the run from the Aquatic Center and welcomed Yumna on her first goodgym run.

The plan for tonight was to make a start on creating new flower beds on the left hand side of the Church.

I made a quick stop to buy a cake for Sybil so we could celebrate her birthday after the task.

We arrived but noticed Sybil did not have any tools ready and some new faces from the church were also they to greet us.

It seems the church committee had decided we had to join them in celebrating Sybils birthday.

We always do get some great refreshments when we visit the church but tonight was wonderful and is was an honour to be asked to part of the celebrations,Sybil is a little ball of energy who has always got and idea or project planned.....which she ask for our help with.

We spent time chatting with the church members who were all very interested in learning more about what Goodgym is and how we help.

We did have to tell Yumna that not every task is quite as chilled as this.

Next week we are heading back to Plaistow school to continue with the wendy house building https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/assemble-a-wendy-house-and-a-pyrex-painting-board-at-plaistow-primary

Hilary took on the task of leading the team from the Aquatics Center.

Kevin and I opted for a shorter run from home

Tim walked from Stratford so was the first to arrive and so was there to welcome Zetta on her first GoodGym task.

After a quick catch up with Paul,Brad,Adam and Eugene who we haven't seen for a few weeks.

We also welcomed Emily and Juan to there first Goodgym task and Nick on his first visit to Emmanuel Church.

Once all the introductions had been made Sybil set us to work with weeding the flower beds at the front of the church and also trim the shrubs,with the help of two of the church wardens.

Sybil then took me to the side of the church to plan out what we will be doing when we return July.

Weeds pulled and shrubs trimmed we packed up and took the tools back into the church where Sybil had laid on a wonderful set of refreshments. Sybil sent Eugene home with a food parcel.

Next week we head to Newham Hospital

A return to an evening task st Emmanuel Church.

This week Sybil had asked if it would be possible for us to give the church a spring clean ready for their Easter services.

A received a very warm welcome from Sybil who then led us into the church.

Brooms,feather dusters and clothes at the ready we split into groups and proceeded to dust and remove as many cobwebs as possible.

Kevin was in charge of ladder holding while Adam gave the ceiling a brush.

Graham and Brad with the help from one of the church wardens fashioned an extra long brush to reach the cobwebs above the arches.

A quick refuel thanks to the wonderful lady wardens who had made us cheese on toast in addition to tea and coffee and fruit,we also finished off my birthday cake. Refueled we made a final push to get the final webs before we said our goodbyes not before Sybil made sure we had some fruit for when we got home.