A late call out for one of our schools, wanting help with decorating. And so, we answered the call.

Seeing as it was in a school, it only seemed right to teach the next goodgymers of Cardiff how it's done.

Lots of fun had by all, and smiles all round.

On a cold evening, three goodgymers met to put up the Christmas tree and decorations at a local school. This is the fourth time that we have been on tree patrol at Herbert Thompson School, with the first Christmas mission back in 2018 and a total of 7 missions to date.

This year, we had new decorations for the tree in a classic white and silver. And some free standing, light up decorations for the corridors.

So, to WORK

We got straight in to filling the gaps in the tree by rearranging the branches, before getting the new lights ready to twinkle around the tree. As the baubles were new there was a bit of extra work to do, removing tags so we got to work on that before 'blinging' the tree.

In just under an hour we were all done.

Until NEXT Year

As the evening's get darker, there is nothing better than a mission to decorate a Christmas tree. 5 eager volunteers from goodgym, made their ways to 'Herbert Thompson Primary School' to put up the tree and get it decorated ready for the morning.

What had been a regular task that we had to lose during the lockdowns, was today a treat to bring back. There will be more themed tasks coming up so keep an eye on the list online.

With the music playing some lovely festive tunes, we got to work decorating the tree. It was a great chance to catch up, talk about the social next week at Winter Wonderland (ice-skating optional).

In just over an hour we were done and ready to head home for our dinners.

"... Goodgym sent to meeee"

9 goodgym runners

8 metres of lighting

7 silver baubles

6 folded stages

5 SPARKLY STARS

4 staff tables

3 bobble hats

2 rooms transformed

And a great surprise for HT primareee

Following Fiona's 100th and Lucy's 50th Parkrun- congrats guys- 7 Cardiff Goodgym runners went back to school.

Lucy, Fiona, Aimee, Charlotte, Adam, Emily and Emma attended Herbert Thompson Primary School in Cardiff to help set up their new allotment. Luckily the beautiful Welsh weather was on their side and it was all hands to the pump following an introduction to the school by headteacher Sheena.

Adam set straight to cutting back the greener to clear the space and create new plants. Whilst Aimee, Lucy and Emily painted the new shed, doing an amazing job and really brightening it up. Emma and Charlotte took to painting the tyres which were soon to be vegetable planters created by Fiona. The tyres will bring a splash of colour to the allotment.

The group nearly had a new member in the form of Robin (luckily he had his red t shirt on ready to go). However the friendly Robin was unable to assist with the painting and instead supervised Adam clearing the ground around the rockery.

All done, the group cleared the area and prior to setting off, everyone assembled in the head teacher's office, not to be told off but to boost their energy for the return journey with some flapjacks (made by Fiona-thank you) and squash.

The group set off ready for more missions over the bank holiday.

Report written by Emma

Precisely five in fact! Snow more, snow less. Yes, five of us: Martin, Fiona, Nic, Nathan and me, sled on over to Herbert Thompson primary school (where Fiona is a teacher) to help get things ready for CHRISTMAS!!!

But first, a very apropos pun that yule laugh out loud to: What was Santa’s favourite subject in school? Chemistree of course!

“But what about the task?”, I hear you ask. First, Nathan and Martin G set up the stage sections in the auditorium for the school's Christmas performance. They both got stuck in very quickly, and didn't make a scene.

Out in the school foyer, Fiona, Nic and Ellen started to put up the school's Christmas tree. There were so many lights and baubles to trim the tree with, that soon both Nathan’s and Martin’ presents were required.

In less than one hour the five nimble GoodGym elves finished trimming the tree in a very tasteful white and purple/mauve colour scheme. But were the Christmas tree lights working? On and off

But wait, there’s myrrh!: What did the English teacher call Santa’s helpers? Subordinate clauses!