GoodGym digs through decades of memories during a lively house clearance

Last night, a group of five GoodGymers led by our esteemed run leader Marta, made our way to Glyndon Community Centre for our Wednesday night task. As usual we were warmly welcomed by caretaker Andy, who guided us to the storage unit at the back. Our mission: help empty a unit filled with the remnants of an old house clearance that was packed with 80s nostalgia and retro items.

Inside, we excitedly discovered a treasure trove of items that needed sorting: 1980s chart-topping singles (Keith Harris and Orville “I Wish I could Fly”), once-loved albums (The Best of Earth, Wind and Fire), well-worn furniture, retro lamp stands, quirky ornaments, and sentimental paintings. It was fascinating to see a person’s life through their possessions.

We then had to sort the items into various piles either for donating, recycling or to be thrown out and discarded. This was very difficult as so many items were sentiments and had a story to tell.

All in all, it was a productive and enjoyable evening. Once the unit was cleared, we dutifully swept up and snapped a quick group photo before heading home, satisfied with a job well done.

A last minute change of tasks meant that we were heading to Heston Nature Reserve instead of The Albany so that meant those meeting us at the task had a challenge finding it but we all made it to the garden in the end.

It's only our second visit to this task and as always there was a long list of tasks to help with and get stuck into. The main task for the evening was to dig up the weeds in the grass area. The main question was which exactly is a weed as the team didn't want to be pulling up the wrong plant! Armed with 1000's of good deeds between them, the executive decision was made to focus on the alkinet.

There was also pruning, removing ivy, digging up wild leeks and mulching.

We almost had to leave Paul behind when we couldn't work out how to turn the hose off and he was just being given more and more buckets to fill. We'd never leave a GoodGymer behind!

We'll hopefully be back in the coming weeks to finish a couple more tasks before our busy schedule of Christmas related tasks fills up.

Next week we are off to Crofton Park Railway Garden!

It's officially headytorch season, I feel like that has come back around quick and caught us a little off guard! Don't forget headtorches going forward.

The small but mighty group were on there way over to Seniors and the rest of us were meeting at the task. Once we were all regrouped, we made our way into the garden to be assigned with tasks for the eve.

There was a lot of carrying of watering cans and buckets which the Senior's team find hard to do so it's good we can tick this one off their list.

There was also moving of the potato plants of varying weights, planting of winter flowers, removing bindweed and pruning of the chilli plants! A variety of tasks and we were rewarded for our efforts with some house plant to take home.

Whilst we were working away at Seniors, making her way to the task was slightly delayed as Jane was helping someone who had fallen over and required an ambulance. I'm sure the person was very grateful you were able to stop and stay with them in that situation!

We ended the group run by enjoying some doughbuts to celebrate Steve's birthday, he had to share it with the Big Half so it was only fair we had our own celebration! And welcome back to Maria!

Next week, the listing says we shall be going to The Albany, but we could be going to Heston Nature Reserve instead. Hopefully all will be confirmed before the weekend.

After the nail-biting game yesterday at Charlton Athletic, 9 Goodgymers and some friends of CleanUpCharlton ventured out to clear up some of the post-match debris.

While one team tackled the home end of Anchor & Hope Lane, the others took to the midfield of the Woolwich Road to clear the cans, bottles and cigarette ends. The game of two halves ended with a photo line-up at the end of Popeye's Path (formerly Frankie & Benny's Alley) which always needs a good grounds-person or two (or even 11)!

The boys and girls done good and 13 bags were left for the referee (Greenwich Council) at final whistle. Man/woman of the match was awarded to all players in the form of a nice cup of coffee at our favourite M&S cafe (we might tap them for sponsorship next season). They thought it was all over - it is now until next month!

Last night six of us met to do some good in the darkening and slightly damp September evening. And that's what GoodGym is all about - we spread a little joy and the autumn and winter months are a great time to stick with it - as the evenings get darker it makes a difference to meet up with friends and get active each week! This evening we had task to move lots of wood from the middle of the playground to the edges to allow children space to play. It was almost smooth sailing with some dramatic screams from us city folk about the gigantic spiders we unearthed.
We harvested some grapes and some radishes (thank you St Alfege's! I'm going to enjoy nice salad for lunch).

Special welcome to Carolin on her first GoodGym good deed - it's great to have you in the group and we hope to see much more of you!

We parted ways as the rain got heavier, me spotting the 386 and losing any street cred I thought I had running down the road with two giant and alarmingly bulbous radishes. And I didn't make the bus either so ended up running all the way home looking like I'd robbed a community garden.

On Saturday we're back at Hervey Road for some gardening and next Wednesday we're at St Luke's.

Until next time!

Rachel 👋🏻