The more the merrier! Singing cafe is growing bigger in size and goodgymers volunteers also increasing in numbers

Each week the Luton Goodgym Group run/walk/cycle is full of fun, laughter and friendly faces. Throw in a little purpose and hard graft and you've got a shining example of what community can really look like. That in my opinion is something to be celebrated. And here in Luton our team love an excuse to celebrate. Which is rather fitting as this weeks task marks the 4th birthday of Goodgym going live in Luton. I know, it's hard to believe that it's only been 4 years since David led the first group 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️ and this week we return to the task that started it all, as we visit Penrose Roots to Recovery just as the OG team did on day 1. Gill expertly led from the front and after her welcome, warm up and safety briefing, she set us of on our way, 2 and a bit km out of town to our task. When we arrived we were met by Pete the task owner who had us clearing bramble to create a space so that him and his team could safely harvest Pears 🍐 from the tree above (and there are loads to harvest). As we were celebrating or Run Leader for the evening had arranged for some delicious cakes that she had prepared to be dropped off to the task by her husband, which we lovingly call Gilliveroo . Needless to say the cakes were amazing and there was one foe everyone. There were also special toppers for a few of the cakes to celebrate some of the milestones that had been achieved over the last 12 months. One however was particularly apt as the amazing Gail finally became a LGG Centurion and as with all the other milestones this recognition was immensely deserved. Well done, you're a true Legend. It was fantastic to be joined by Rebecca who hasn't been able to come for a while and was there at the first task. Before we headed off back to town, Pete offered the team some marrows that had been grown at the allotment and he was taken up on his offer, so there will be all sorts of culinary delight being created with them this weekend I'm sure. Great task this week, fantastic effort by all and a real sense of pride that the group is growing and making such a positive mark on our town. Well done everyone 👏 👍🏻 You're all amazing 👏 ❤️

It was just the perfect morning for a group of GoodGymers to start the Couch to 5K programme. And having volunteered at ParkRun they were fired up and ready to go. Gill was leading the group and started off with some dynamic stretches to get everyone warmed up and raring to go. There was some trepidation about what they'd let themselves in for, but by the time Gill had explained the programme and the runs and walks for Week 1 Run 1 they were all assured that they could do this, and start their journey towards getting fitter and being able to run for 30 minutes.

I'm not sure how much they appreciated my gentle "encouragement "to keep up a brisk walking pace, but there was no grouching form anyone, and we enjoyed the walk and running intervals in a beautifully sunny and quieter park. When the half time bell rang we all gave a cheer knowing that we had done 4 out of the 8 of our 60 second runs and hadn't come to any harm.

The next 4 intervals and final 5 minutes walk went relatively smoothly and everyone manage to complete them all. There were hugs and whoops all round, before Gill insisted on some cool down stretches.

The group were amazing and full of enthusiasm. Off the couch without any grouching - well done to you all. I hope you're looking forward to your next run.

To Wardown Park for our monthly effort to fill as many volunteer roles as possible for our friends at Luton Wardown Parkrun. We were a big and vocal presence, setting up the course, marshalling (with extra cheers) scanning barcodes and helping to close down the event. Not an official volunteer role, but ‘goose-wrangling’ was also an essential task this week!