Going up and down the ladder is no secret to me now. Two days in a row helping out setting up the stage in Watermans Park. Banting or shading, tell me what to put up and it's going up. I've now mastered balancing in all types of position on the step ladder and getting stuff up has become second nature. With such lovely weather and Pink Floyd blasting out of the speaker while setting up, they surely had great success today after we finished setting up, I'm sure.

I unfortunately had to leave but next time around, I'll stay and who knows, will I be the next one on stage!? Cool initiative. Surely happy to help next time around. The audience I've seen surely seem to have enjoyed their time

July has gone by in a flash…

This was the 4th Saturday in July that Goodgym has been helping set up an inclusive summer community event by Supporting Friends of Watermans Park.

Myself and Michelle arrived for our second good deed of the day.

We arrived by bike in beautiful sunshine. Perfect timing as we arrived just as the van was starting to be unloaded for the event.

Before we could start helping to set up the performance area a litter pick was required.

We soon had the park looking more colourful with bunting decorating the park.

Then it was on to the gazebos and seating for the spectators, followed by putting up the canopy over the performance area.

A quick hour in the sun went by - Then it was time for a well earned McFlury before heading home.

Myself and Luis spent an hour helping to set bunting, gazebos, deck chairs and a hanging ceiling over the performance area.

The event is a free event taking place every Saturday In July this was event 3 / 4.

All the events are organised by the Friends of Watermans park, and take place in a very picturesque area of Brentford overlooking the Thames.

After we had helped with the pre-event set up we got some well earned sustenance.

We stayed for the first half hour of the music and were treated to some knee tapping folk music.

Warm Saturday afternoon and 2 goodgymers regrouped for a 2nd community session of the day at Watermans Park along the Thames not far from Kew Bridge to set up for the Summer Banstand : music in the local park. Paul cycled and Steph Ducat ran to the mission. Who is not afraid of heights ? Not us so we climbed on ladders to put roof and bunting around the musical area. W e were too quick apparently :-)

The Friends of Watermans Park in Brentford have staged free-to-attend Summer Bandstands for the last 2 years. Goodgym have been asked to help make this year’s events even better by helping with set up.

The idea behind the sessions is to create strong positive community goodwill.

We met Phillip from the Friends of Watermans at 2:30pm. Our task for the day was to help decorate the area with bunting to attract as many people as possible to join in the event.

In the past bunting has been somewhat of a nemesis for some of us. Luckily we had some lovely rainbow cotton bunting to work with today which didn’t tangle into a million knots, testing the patience of even the most calm and serene Goodgymers amongst us.

With no chair or ladders at our disposal one of us had to be given a leg up to reach the tallest hanging post. A full risk assessment ensued, before I was launched to the top of the post. Pleased to report the risk assessment was 100% effective and no one was injured in the process. Shortly after this Luis and his good arm arrived, and one of The Friends volunteers appeared with a platform so no further risk assessments were needed.

We formed two teams and began strategising and re strategising until all the bunting was hung to perfection along the path.

There are 3 more community missions coming up over the next 3 Saturdays in July, from 2:30pm, you can sign up to next Saturday’s task here:

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/help-set-up-an-inclusive-summer-community-event-d7e9226c-7eca-42f1-976d-e7e57f5767b8