Well on June 30th 2018 many things were happening it was National Paddy Day of Nepal, Edmonton Royals beat Toronto Nationals by 8 wickets in the 20Twenty and the Nation sat down to watch Nick Knowles hosts the quiz for people who can't resist a list in another cracking episode of Who Dares Wins. Meanwhile in leafy Hampstead Heath Park dog walkers, parents and local residents were making reports of strange behaviour, incidents included lots of cheering, signs of red thunder, folks running with eggs on spoons and a sea of flags. Not only was the behaviour incredibly positive they were also plying spectators with these delicious homemade cakes, what these folks were witnessing was Olympic fever GoodGym style. So as reported, June 30th 2018 was the 2nd ever GoodGym Olympics. The day brought together 24 different GoodGym area, ranging from Lambeth, the South West to Colchester. The events on offer were a range of events varied from the egg and spoon, 400m to the elimination race. The events were varied but the competition was not and every race brought a bigger and bigger sea of cheers, particular highlights for me was the epic finish of the elimination mile between George Bright and Richard Dowling, Folks flipping pancakes, listening to our two wonderful commentators, the GoodGym relay madness, and human tunnel finish that welcomed the final 5,000m runners brought a tear to my eye that did. Not only were the runners being judged but we also had a torch parade before to show off each boroughs creative sides and although it was a fierce competition. All in all there were 18 different events which each borough their own brilliant moments. This year to even the field I placed the areas in two different leagues due to levels of runners from each area. So up for grabs was the Hunter-Sidhu Shield and the Kerry-Barnard Cup named after our two fantastic commentators, John Hunter and James Kerry-Barnard.

I could write about this for hours however I think picture would do a far better so I will leave some of Tom Hunters and Sarah Rajabalee fanatic shots up and will post a link to more when they come available.

These events don’t work without a band of helpers and I have to say a massive thanks to all the all members of taskforce and GoodGym who have gave up their time to volunteer, help time and marshal on the day and general mean that I didn’t have to do too much, it was amazing there are just too many of you to write down but again thank you it was really a truly lovely and special day, thank you all and here’s to next year. If you have any feedback please let me know on tomb@goodgym.org. I will be putting together a committee of people to help out and organise next years, if you would like to be considered please drop me a email too.

Nice one, Tom

Race Results please click here on the link below. Please note we did not record heat times and some events do not have times or positions as these got put away during the tidy up. Please accept my apologies if this affects you.

Here are the rest of the results we https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WR3tnGIEXq6ylA-JhZEduRuGKiW5SgD4alhfHJqJFWY/edit#gid=0

Here were the final results

Kerry-Barnard Cup

AREA	PLACE
Lambeth	1st
Wandsworth	2nd
Camden	3rd
Hackney	4th
Lewisham	5th
Islington	6th

Hunter-Sidhu Shield

AREA	PLACE
Greenwich	1st
Brighton	2nd
Hammersmith and Fulham	3rd
Colchester	4th
Southwark	5th
Barnet	6th
Hounslow	7th
Tower Hamlets	8th
Haringey	9th
Croydon	10th
Bristol	11th
Brent	12th
Newham	13th
King's College London	14th
Redbridge	15th
Westminster	16th
Waltham Forest	17th
Ealing	18th

Torch winners: Big shout out to team Islington for their Stella effort combining biscuits with a fantastic touch. Highly commended goes to Tower Hamlets, Bath and Brent. Well done everyone.

22 Goodgymers ran 3-6km to leaflet for SPCA, look after Kings Cross Orchard and compost mule to St Mary's

Welcome along to newbie - Sarah great to have you along.

In the news this week:

The week is finally here, it's the GoodGym Olympics - woop woop! Come along to cheer if you aren't taking part and get involved in the National 1km Competition.

This week we had three small tasks to spread amongst the group while Frances and Freya did a great local mission.

Task One - Leafleting for SPCA

Katherine and a team of four leafletted for the St Pancras Community Association's Summer Fair which is happening this weekend. They scoured the streets for houses and accessible flats to drop these colourful gems off to.

After 15 mins of leafleting they joined us at Task Two!

Task Two - Kings Cross Orchard

The main group was tasked this week with looking after the Kings Cross Orchard that Alex from Alara cares for. The task went as follows:

1. Pull off the plastic from the cardboard
2. Weed and clear the area around the apple trees
3. Lay down the 'unplastic' cardboard
4. Cover with compost and spread

The team worked hard looking after the 12 trees on the Northern Orchard before tackling weeding the Southern (Bookers) Orchard.

Task Three - St Mary's

Alara, as well as looking after the Orchard, looks after a compost pile that can be used around the borough by community groups and NGO's.

Pritesh led a team of 5 to run black bags and rucksacks full of compost down to St Mary's, a group of flats in Somers Town which we've helped a lot over the years. It was a 1km each way meaning the group squished in two shuttles, including spreading the good stuff (compost) in the community gardens.

Once we were finished with Task 2 and the group from Task 3 headed off for their second trip, the main group did some extra Task 1 leafletting in the SPCA area - does that make sense? Sure!

Sign up next week here when we have three tasks!

PB out

31 Goodgymers ran 6km to help Sheltered Housing at Ashdown Crescent

Welcome along to newbies this week Madeleine, Rachael, Natalie and Matt :)

In the news this week:

1. It's the GoodGym Olympics next Saturday, if you have entered events you should have received an email from Lord Benson (tomb@goodgym.org). Everyone should come watch, have a picnic and a cheer!
2. Kat is organising track sessions at Regents Park Track every Thursday, meet for 6.30pm and start the session at 6.45pm. Go along!

This week we had a wonderful task up in Kentish Town - helping Sheltered Housing at Ashdown Crescent. This project helps look after older people in the community, they have a great big garden space but it needs care and attention. That's where we come in.

Impact

Splitting into teams we got the following done:

1. We put together two tables and eight chairs for the residents to use to sit out on. The guys did well with limited tools!
2. The Steve's and Liz got to work cutting back the trees and bushes overgrowing onto the pathway.
3. A team of 6 swept the pathway and deck - collecting together bags of debris!
4. A team of 10 weeded a huge area and then planted some big plants, small plants and some lovely bulbs :)
5. A team of 4 helped out on two resident's balconies with various garden jobs

You guys really made an impact tonight - well done all! #proud

Sign up next week here, tasks tbc.

PB out

24 GoodGymers ran 7km to help Antrim Allotments with some summer gardening!

Welcome along to Susannah whose first time it was last night, lovely to have you along :)

In the news this week:

1. The GoodGym Monthly Social is TODAY at The Slaughtered Lamb in Shoreditch - gonna be a good one! Go along :)
2. On Saturday (9th June) GoodGym is taking over Mile End Parkrun with pacers needed! See all details here!

After warming up we headed north on what was a beautiful summer evening. Our task this week was helping the Committee and plot owners at Antrim Allotments up in Belsize Park. The final part of the 3.5km run up there is Belsize Park Hill, it's a corker but everyone did really well!

We've been going to see the guys at Antrim Allotments for 2 years now, they always really appreciate our hard work. A lot of the plot owners are unable to do all the heavy lifting and work alone.

Once arrived we met Piers and explained our jobs for the night:

• A team of 5 forked, dug and cleared an overgrown plot that can hopefully be used by a new owner soon. They had company with some ants biting everyone - pesky things!
• Lorna and Alysson constructed a border around a corner plot which had recently had string placed around it. Their hard work saved someone from potentially loosing their plot.
• A team of four moved some heavy planks and then dug for naughty weeds that struggle the nice plants!
• The rest of the teams did similar jobs digging up weeds, cutting things back and loosening the ground for planting.

Forking good time!

Over 30 minutes we got lots of work done and made a real impact. We grabbed a quick group picture and then headed down the hill home.

Next week we will be heading to Abbey Community Centre and Cecil Sharp House - sign up here

PB out.

27 Goodgymers ran 6km and helped Kentish Town City Farm

Welcome along to newbie - Ramon

This week we returned after helping Kentish Town City Farm prepare for May Day celebrations last Wednesday. Our job was to basically pack up everything we put up last week.

Many hands make light work!

A team of 13 were tasked with emptying and putting down the marquee. This involved team work, clear instructions from Chris and no one getting stuck underneath as it came down.

The rest of the crew packed up two gazebos and carried down 12 hay bails, stocks, scarecrows and everything else that was up there.

Once we were done Frances put me in the stocks and everyone fed the goats.

Last but not least we wanted to say a huge well done and congratulations to Sophie Hedges for hitting her 300th good deed. Fantastic!

Nice one! Come back next week when we have three tasks!

PB out.

33 of Camden's finest helped Skip Garden with some gardening and we leafleted for Green Gym & Kentish Town City Farm

Welcome along to Antonia whose first group run it was last night - lovely to have you along.

In the news this week:

1. Well done to Shirin who hit 50 Good Deeds last week! Woop woop!
2. Also a massive well done to Sophie and Steve who represented GG at Manchester Marathon recently, both achieving under 4 hours.
3. This Sunday is the London Marathon and GoodGym has various cheering squads out and about - have a look here. Myself and 20+ other GoodGymers are running - come along and cheer us on!

Chris' Leaflet Telegram:

This week were leafleting for Green Gym who run local gardening projects in Camden and Kentish Town City Farm who run programs for people 60+ in the local community.

Sunset running

We headed up to Kentish Town. Bumped into Jess (Sophie's mate) on the way there on her bike. Split into two groups, tackled the areas marked on the map around Kentish Town, working our way back down to Castlehaven. Pritesh was at the back, Steve gave a leaflet to some corner lads. Stop.

Skip Garden Report by PB:

We headed over to Skip Garden, through a busy Granary Square (it was like it was the first day of summer or something). Upon our arrival we met Chief Gardener Emma who explained our jobs:

1. Folding up and loading the yurt onto a van to be moved to the Canada Water site - this provides lots more space in the Garden for activities!
2. Shovelling soil into small bags so to be easily used around the garden to feed the plants & flowers
3. Moving the compost ridan out of the way - it's unfortunately broken and will be removed soon, so no more ridan fun.
4. Moving very heavy pots from inside to outside
5. Watering the plants - they need feeding

RIP Ridan

After we'd taken a group picture we headed for a run on the sunny canal with two options on the way back, short with Frances or long with me.

I am recovering from London Marathon next week so Pritesh is in charge and you're going to Antrim Allotments - sign up here.

PB out.

34 GoodGymers ran between 4-10km making beds for the homeless, gardening for St Mary's & leafleting for Abbey

Cooorrrr, lots of people - glad we had 3 tasks! Welcome to newbies - Alex, Ana, Julia, Pierre, Jonathan and Charlotte - lovely to have you along!

In the news this week:

1. Last night it was Hayley's 50th GOOD DEED - WOOP WOOP! Hayley has been coming to GG Camden since 2016 and we really appreciate her amazing efforts :)
2. TONIGHT there is GG Monthly Drinks in Holborn at the Square Pig - Pritesh will be leading the party with puns, facts and probably some fiction! See you there :)
3. In JUNE there is a trip to the Lakes for some races and good old GG fun! Full details here

Right onto to what we actually did last night, we had three amazing tasks in our wonderful Camden, helping;

• Abbey Community Centre
• St Mary's Flats
• C4WS & American International Church

Report #1 by Pritesh at Abbey:

Eleven of us went along to help the wonderful Abbey Community Centre. It's a long old run up towards Kilburn but we were all keen to keep a good pace to stave off the cold. We were rewarded with a stunning view of central London at the top of Primrose Hill, all the lights twinkling in the cold clear night.

Stunning!

Arriving at the centre we were tasked with delivering flyers to the two tower blocks opposite - Snowman and Casterbridge - to let the residents know about the community cafe that runs every Saturday at the centre.

We split into teams and spent 15 minutes delivering throught the blocks and finishing off any spare leaflets to the houses in the surrounding area. We got everything done in the time and then made our way back to Somers Town with a quick stop for a group shot too!

Report #2 by PB at St Mary's:

Eleven of us headed to St Mary's Flats, a local community in Somers Town that we've been helping for over 4 years. After a 1.4km loop we met Jon who explained the main task was to de-litter an area of plants and re-compost it. Dragging the compost bag from one end of the estate to the other we got to work.

We split into two groups to de-litter across the estate, mainly focusing on cigarette butts, dead leaves and debris. After 20 minutes we'd de-littered both areas, composted and watered the flower bed.

Upon reaching Granary Square we did some conditioning, including:

• Calve raises
• Single leg squats
• Circuit routine - press up, mountain climber x2, jump & squat

We then met Frances' group and did our monthly time trial with some quick times in the cold weather!

Report #3 about Frances at C4WS:

IT'S FRANCES BIRTHDAY, she led the run and it was the best of times. There were 17 guest beds to make + 2 over night staff beds. With a team of 12 people they got the work done really really quickly - efficient! Also there was a cat that Frances seems to have spent most of her time with, haha.

Here is Rosie's haiku about our weekly task at the shelter:

We are making beds

For the homeless in Camden

First the mattresses

Sheets, duvets, pillowcases

Well done all, lots of good done for Camden!

Sign up for next week here, we have a NEW TASK helping GROUNDWORK!

PB out.