Alan, Chris, Tish and Gus met at Baron's Pond on Saturday morning. After a short wait wondering if the task was still happening, their saviour arrived! Tools in hand and instructions given, it was time to help clear it all up!

Tish went litter picking diligently in the most obscure corners of the little reserve. Finding things of different culinary interests, let's say.

Alan and Chris, loppers in hand, cleared up a whole overgrown section next to the pond. Meanwhile, Gus assisted by one of the local volunteers (and his two sweet doggos) was tasked with clearing out the tree capony to allow space for a little oak to grow.

Cutting amassed quickly and by the end of the task, the pile of green waste had doubled in size and two bags of trash was also picked up.

A job well done once more!

It's hard to believe that GoodGym Hounslow is a whole eight years old! Yet, with

5,426 good deeds

completed, we've certainly got a lot to show for it!

Over the years we've planted more bulbs that we can count, cleared more bags of rubbish than you can shake a litter pick at, and pulled an unimaginable amount of weeds. Not to mention all the miles we've covered!

We were treated to an indoor task last night (it was our birthday after all) which was just as well as the temperature was definitely dropping. So after a very short run we arrived at the church and community centre on Sutton Court Rd for a big painting job.

We were met by Carol who handed out brushes, and without any dilly-Dali-ing around we got straight into it. There were some excellent fashion choices on display, with the soon to be patented 'bin bag chic' range.

With no tape on hand for neat edges and some patchy paint we had a challenge on our hands, but I would say we did an Emin-entely good job. It just shows what you can do with a Kandin(sky) attitude. Ok, that one didn't work...

Job done, we headed off for Turnham Green, where Michelle debuted her excellent GoodGym Hounslow pass the parcel. Cue the music! Whilst doing squats and other conditioning exercises we passed the parcel, which was stuffed with sweets and questions such as 'who has done all the parkruns within the M25' and fiendish anagrams of past tasks. It was Tish who finally won the prize, which was full of amazing things like magnetic race number fasteners. What a bonus!

We just had time for an egg and spoon race and a ball between the knees relay which showcased some amazing techniques, before retiring to the pub for cake and memories.

Amazing to see all we've achieved over the last eight years, all the friendships made and the good done in the community. Happy Birthday and here's to you GoodGym Hounslow, and long may it continue!