It was great to be supporting at Luton Futures for another fabulous celebration being put on for some of the older residents of Luton. It was the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of VE Day, so we felt honoured to be invited to share this event with some of the locals who have memories dating back to the war or post war period.

First to arrive was Dani who was soon put to work putting out the cutlery on the tables. Then when Gill joined her they were tasked with festooning the hall with metres of Union Jack Bunting. Dani must have got in some serious elevation as she went up and down the ladders to attach the bunting strategically from points around the ceiling.

Omar was next to join the fray, and was soon helping with bunting, before being requested to help with one or two of our GoodGym Allies to unload the food and load up supplies form the other community centre where the food was being cooked.

Bread rolls, cups and water were placed on the tables before Dani had to make an exit, But Omar and I continued with the preparations.

We were later joined by Derrick and Mayra, who were on hand for providing an excellent table waiting service as well as doing a blinder on the washing up.

The party goers had an excellent time and Vera commented on the feedback she had received about GoodGym and felt that once again the GoodGYm team had ensured the success of the party. After the hall was cleared and cleaned we said our goodbyes with the sound of Vera Lynn fading in our ears., "We'll meet again, don't know where. don't know when..." although I have a very good idea that it won't be long before we do and Vera has hinted where the venue will be.

Watch this space, your excellent help will be requested soon for another community event.

It was a lovely sunny evening, the day after VE Day, and we had been asked to help prepare the veg for tomorrow’s senior’s VE Day Celebration for some of the older folk. Gill and Yasin were first to arrive at Hockwell Community Centre and located a couple of sacks of potatoes to get started on. This was Yasin’s first experience of using a potato peeler, but after a slow start he soon got into a rhythm. Once Martin arrived the three of them got stuck in, with a bit of competitive peeling making the job go faster than expected.

Eventually Omar, Myra and Dee arrived. There was another first, as it was Myra’s first opportunity to wear her black GoodGym T shirt and it looked great. They joined the team and once the spuds were competed it was on to a sack of the most enormous carrots 🥕 we’ve ever come across! We managed to avoid the temptation for innuendoes, but we couldn’t resist using the carrots as antlers, ears and drumsticks. Well it had been a long day for several of us, and we needed to let off steam. Carrots were peeled, chopped and then all the veg was stored in the kitchen ready for cooking tomorrow morning

We finished in record time - with half an hour to spare. So a bit of healthy competition paid off, and we were all able to leave early to get home for our dinners. Well done team, great job.

6 of the Luton Goodgym faithful got stuck in at the last of 6 cooking sessions at the Shri Guru Ravidass Sangat Gudwara, where the Aunties at the temple were holding cooking classes with other community organisations. Our troops got stuck in with the washing up as huge pans were coming from the stove to the sinks. Others were helping to make roti and Cooke the curry. As always Goodgymers are made to feel at home at the temple with a sample of the delights cooked that evening. Everyone enjoyed themselves and we made friends with the Someries Rotary Club, an organisation we may be able to collaborate with in the future. Great work on this task 👏 👍🏻 👌

I learnt how to prepare some delicious meals, met amazing people, ate, did cleaning. I am very happy with this task. I feel very fulfilled.

A great turn out from the Goodgym Massive to support the cooking and feasting at the Shri Guru Ravidass Sangat temple.

Everyone got stuck in welcoming the other groups attending; cooking, preparing, serving and cleaning up, helping to bring different community groups together and learn dome culinary skills too!

We also celebrated with the legend that is Martin as he completed his 500th Goodgym task earlier in the evening...a hats off to a monster milestone!

A fantastic feast served up with extra portions to take home...yum!

7 Luton Goodgymers turned out to support the Shri Guru Ravidass Sangat Gudwara with their 2nd of 6 cooking classes. A project bringing communities together by sharing skills, making friendships and creating memories ( and some delicious food). Well done to everyone who attended 👏 👍🏻 🙌