It was a glorious July evening, and twelve GoodGymmers took a break from watching the Olympics to came along to enjoy the sunshine, do good and get fit. Some of us walked, some of us ran and some of us made our way along the marvellous riverside by two wheels to the Ham and Petersham Sea Scouts.

Over the past few weeks, we had been helping the Sea Scouts to repair and lay a footpath which was worse for wear. JP and Harry had done a great job at finishing off the hard work on Saturday's Community Mission, but Russell still had plenty of work for us to do, and had four tasks ready for us to get stuck in to.

Heat, Feet and Concrete

Newcomer Rob joined Suze to finish filling in a final pothole on the pathway. Supported by Julian, there were literally sparks flying as Suze showed off her pickaxe skills and Rob learnt how to mix up cement. Bob the Builder, more like Rob the Builder!

Push and Shovel

Adam and our other first timer Lynn were put onto compost duties. A big warm pile needed moving from the compost pile across the grounds, and the duo did a wheely great job in the allotted time.

On the fence, or stick to what you know?

JP and Steph were the ones feeling strong, and Sea Scouts Chris took them off to help with some 'heavy lifting', which involved moving a load of fence barriers, manouevering the trolley and loading up lots of wood, sticks and logs.

Path of Least Resist-ants

Chris, Harry, Maena, T, Monika and Lucy were with Russell for what he referred to as 'industrial weeding'. This was not just any weeding, as the name suggested, as he took us through a jungle of trees armed with spades. Once we were deep in the forest, Russell explained the plan was to clear the long grass and pampas to make way for a new woodland path. This was sweaty work, a marathon rather than a sprint. There was also a hammer throw event (but with newly shifted grass instead of hammers), gymnastics with the beam and bar, hurdles over tree roots and diving into bushes.

Just under an hour had passed, and it was time to finish up for the evening, and make our way back home into the sunset.

Well done to Teresa and Susannah for their big cycle ride down to the Isle of Wight over the weekend, and for cycling along tonight too! A big welcome to Robert and Lynn who came along to their first ever GoodGym sessions today, and to Harrison for joining in his first group run. Hopefully we will see you all again soon, although we can't guarantee this weather every week, sadly!

And finally a big thank you to everyone for behaving for my first official session led, and not causing a riot whilst Liz is away!

It was our third trip in a row to the Petersham & Ham Sea Scouts, again helping them to level out the potholes in their driveway.

A few of the regular GG crowd were away this weekend so it was up to Harry and JP to represent, and we joined 4 of the P&H leaders to put ourselves to work.

This particular task has been a good workout! We carried on the job of digging out the top layer in the potholes to allow for drainage holes to be drilled, then refilling and bashing with a roller.

With only 2 of us helping, we took it in turns to use the pick axe and spade to remove the top layer, taking plenty of breathers! Eventually we got the job done and felt satisfied as it was rollered back to a flat surface.

One more trip to the P&H comes on Monday, when we will likely be working in the woods as we’ve finished the driveway. Don’t forget the bug spray!

Five fine fare GoodGymers made their way to the Russell School to help set up the Petersham Horticultural Society Summer Fair. We welcomed first timer Harry to the team at the start. It was a day of pole holding, bunting putting up, table lifting, marquee raising and general fair making by the fairest of fair makers ever seen. In no time Rosie, JP and Harry were in charge of polishing the poles for the coconut shy which was a very challenging task indeed and intrinsic to the success of the fair. Instructions of stand here and hold a pole were duly given and they complied with expert GoodGym proficiency. Joanna was then directing others into the table and chair arrangement and popping up marquees whilst others were skilfully erecting bunting everywhere. Soon the fair was laid out and the entries came with loganberries, Battenberg cakes, knitting, Cos lettuce, spuds, peas, beans, flowers and onions were some of the many entries that befell the GoodGym tables and marquees

Thanks to all that came out and helped set up for the 118th Annual Petersham Horticultural Summer Show! Next year GoodGym will need to enter a Three Pigeon Plot entry!