We met in the sunshine and it was great to see Dawn back for her 2nd run. Leah and Jess had messaged to say they would be a couple of minutes late and that we could leave without them, but at Goodgym no-one gets left behind , we move as one.

While we waited for them we heard about Andy's holiday and Joel's tour of Chelmsford cafes and other eating establishments. Leah and Jess arrived and 9 goodgymers set off to the task.

Jane led the way ( sporting her new Goodgym tshirt) and the directions were simple: run down the high street until you reach Toast, then turn left. After a short run along the river we arrived at Hearing Help Essex for the task; weeding the paths and raised flowerbeds that had overgrown. I had found some tools in the greenhouse as the shed was locked and everyone set to work. Fay and Sallyann were already there getting stuck in and appeared to be the only ones to read the memo about bringing gardening gloves. Dawn and Mohammed did a great job on the path, while Richard took a rake to the back bed, bringing out some giant leaves. Jane and Joel wrestled up some of the deep rooted weeds, while Leah and Jess started on the path next to the pond. There were plenty of prickles and nettles but Andy found a way to bundle them up using massive leaves. Before long we'd filled 3 large rubble bags with weeds and the garden looked ready to be re planted and enjoyed in the summer.

We put the tools away, admired the beautifully painted picnic benches ( our hard work from a previous task) , compared stinging nettle injuries, and enjoyed a chatty run back. Great Run EVERYONE!

Next week we will leafleting with either the amazing David or the wonderful Laurie

until then,

RUN HAPPY

Rich

On a glorious sunny spring evening Jane and I arrived at the old factory gym ready to strut our sexy selves along to Hearing Help Essex .

Tonights task was to paint some of their picnic benches in their garden ready for the summer months. After a brief chat about Robert's excellent double half marathon weekend and Mohammed's brand new Goodgym T-shirt we set off at our usual Sexy pace ( apart from Erin and Jane who ran off chatting away ).

Just before we arrived we met Sallyann in the car park as she is recovering from a sore back but ready to paint those benches.

Unfortunately, Sophie from HHE wasn't able to meet us as she had a family emergency but left us instructions of where to find the paint and brushes, and what they were wanting us to do.

Richard and Mohammed posed for a photo with the benches before we got started ( before photo) and then we moved them onto the grass, the benches not Richard and Mohammad. The paint and brushes were in the greenhouse and as i collected them i realized that the 2 pots were different colours. I decided which one looked nicer and we set to work. Kate was alittle worried about getting paint in her goodgym t-shirt until someone pointed out Joel's t-shirt and that all the paint and stains were in fact badges of honour for years of service.

With all 3 benches painted we washed the brushes and trays and stood for a group photo (after photo). I took this as an opportunity to try and do a group heel click photo. Some heel clicks were done internally 😜. Andy's , as always, needs work 😎

A job well done, we set off into the sunset with a smile on our faces and again continued our sexy pace back to base.

If you'd like to know more about sexy pace please read https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jul/24/slow-running-revolution-sexy-pace-enjoy-the-race

its a way of life and what we are all about.

Thanks for coming guys and see you all next time.

Run Happy

Rich

We said a very warm welcome to Mohammed for his first GoodGym task, looking to get fit and help out, as well as improve his English. Big thanks to Richard for helping Mohammed to register on the website and to request his t-shirt. Also thanks to Russell for reminding me to do a headcount before setting off; I'm a bit rusty on the old run leading protocol. We were pleasantly surprised to see Jane without Rich, apparently he had better things to do?!

Joel and Ben led us out along the bunny walks in the sun (it was still light?!) and up to Tyrells Primary School. Our task was to excavate heaps of soil and gravel and dig out the patchwork of weed suppressing membrane underneath. Fay was already digging when we arrived, and Sallyann was on photo duty.

Everyone grabbed a shovel and started digging. Some of the membrane was easier to get at than other areas; Martin, Joel, Russell, Fay and maybe Andy, worked particularly hard on one area and dragged out a large sheet of membrane as the last triumph of the evening.

There was some question as to how hard Andy was working, judge for yourselves from the photos.

Excellent work everyone. We'll be back in May for some more hard work.

We've got a community mission at Barrow Farm on Sunday morning and the quiz at the Ale House on Sunday evening, and next week we're painting at Beaulieu Community Centre.

See you all soon,

Laurie