No fitness session this week, so everyone had plenty of time to get there by the stated time of 19:00. But when the nearby church clock struck seven, there were only three of us! Could it be that when teacher's away, her pupils lose all discipline and roll in late?

Actually everyone did arrive quite soon afterwards, and made sure they didn't get put in detention, by working very hard. Louise arrived to find the youth centre deserted, but soon realised we were busy in the back yard. She'd kindly offered to take on the painting task ("baggsie painting"!), but tonight we were concentrating on the leaves.

The cold weather last weekend had us wrapping up warm, but in contrast the trees decided to shed the last of their covering - and the yard was in parts calf-deep in leaves. We hadn't got leaf-grabbers, but we did have rakes and brooms, black bags, a bin, a huge yellow rubble sack, a wheelbarrow and most importantly, the hands of ten GoodGymers!

This time, we had not just to sweep up the leaves, but remove them to a nearby grass area where we made a huge pile for the council to pick up. Kitty caught up with an old friend (one of two sisters), and it was hard to get everyone to finish, when there were still a few leaves on the ground.

But we'll be back before Christmas - when there'll be a social! Sign up for the drink at https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/tower-hamlets-christmas-drink .

And of course there'll be more fun next week when we return to Hollybush (https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-big-monday-night-task-back-to-hollybush-estat-for-the-planter-makeover-with-the-teesdale-hollybush-tra).

See you then!

5 Goodgymers made their way to the gardens of St Margaret's House on a clear November evening. Emily (Operations Manager) and John (Head Gardener) helpfully directed us to the tasks that needed doing, primarily giving the ivy bushes a haircut and loose leaf gathering.

Shout out to Jo who was the the first goodgymer on the scene and promptly got to shearing the ivy after a consultation and shampoo (or so I can only assume - I wasn't there).

John arrived stealthily and joined Jo on the job, which was at the very least a two-hander given that it had been a while since the ivy's last trip to the salon.

Soon enough, the darkness drew in (thanks to daylight saving) but it wasn't all doom and gloom - Ilana and Kareem arrived and happily got involved in the ivy/leaf sweeping business.

By the end of the session, the ivy bush was looking very sharp indeed, just in time for the weekend.

In the backdrop of the majestic mulberry tree (which keeps the leaf sweeping trade booming by raining leaves every time the wind sighs) we finished the task by taking a customary group photo.

Before leaving the premises we popped into the chapel which was holding a dazzling exhibition of film noir-inspired block prints, painted ceramic tiles and pots.

A still, crisp, Monday night saw a great-sized group of GoodGymers gathering at the Cranbrook Community Centre tonight to help clear a big build-up of leaves.

(Leaves collecting - and staying - on the ground isn’t great for the soil. The leaves also make their way into the centre continuously at this time of year, creating an endless sweeping task for the centre’s regular users).

With the annual AGM taking place tonight, it was a question of us gathering equipment, donning gloves, dividing bin bags and getting on with it.

With teams spread out over all four corners of the little garden, the GoodGymers wasted no time in raking, bagging and binning most of the leaves.

When the AGM finished, Janet headed out to inspect the garden, delighted at what she found.

With our task completed shortly before 8, we headed out to the Mace Street wall to finish with a little bit of flexibility work to get the week off to a splendid start.

As we strolled down the street, the team concluded that The Angel and Crown would be a good bet for this evening’s post-task pint. A cracking end to a lovely evening.

Until next time.