The English Dance and Song Society, situated at in the heart of Camden, is a registered charity which relies on wedding hire to make ends meet. Marriage ceremonies rely on good pictures, and the beautiful Cecil Sharp House and gardens, the society’s HQ, needs to be kept looking smart and well maintained.

Which is where GoodGym Camden came in. To clear the grounds of fallen leaves, which look a mess and prevent the grass from flourishing, we used a mixture of a rake, two brooms, a large leaf grabber and – for the first time, in my experience - a leaf blower, as used by the local council and which we’ve all secretly wanted a go on. This meant we could clear the grass of stifling leaves without the rather crude raking which risks harming the turf itself. The leaves were blown onto the paths, to join their fellow fallen, which were then all swept and raked into strong plastic bags.

The six GoodGymers joined over-worked task owner Susannah with clearing the back lawn, but such was our speed and hard work, we had time to clear the front of the building, and then to tackle the side paths as well. By the time we’d finished, we’d filled about twenty bags with leaves, and it only remained to somehow cram them into Susannah’s car, for transporting to the recycling centre.

A special welcome to Rose, taking on her first ever GoodGym task tonight. We look forward seeing you again for many more Good Deeds!

We've got further tasks next Wednesday evening https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/friendly-group-session-setting-up-the-cold-weather-shelter-at-the-american-international-church,

on Saturday week https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/friendly-group-session-moving-timbers-digging-earth-autumn-gardening-at-st-cuthbert-s-church,

and every Wednesday lunchtime! https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/help-a-green-environmental-project-2c4dfb10-3e02-4987-9a2d-a169b836f988

Sometimes photos capture more than words alone, or even words at all, and this morning is one of those sometimes.

Our wonderful group of 10 (Alison, Angeliki, Caitlin, Emily, Lisa, Matt, Nivia, Sarah, and Steve) spent this autumn morning surrounded by train-spotting goats, marquee-chewing cows, and guinea pigs called Peanut and Pumpkin.

I think you want the photos - all the photos - and they are here :)

Thank you, all, for a happy morning in this special spot, and I hope you know how much of a positive difference you made for the team at the farm - your marquee making, fence ferrying, bunting hanging (and more!) left them well set for tomorrow's Apple Day festivities - thank you :)

Here's to the next one!!

Our wonderful group of pamphlet-posting-pros are... a threat!!

There - I've said it - and no - I won't take it back! No siree - I just won't do it!

Because it's true. They're a big-old-threat... because... they're just so efficient!

If Royal Mail - or DPD - or London's cycle couriers could see our group in posting action, they'd know what I mean!

I'm not sure what the technique is called - perhaps it's well established in an obscure postal outpost - or perhaps it's a patentable extension of posting innovation - and I think it should be called the leapfrog - they line up, they post, they run round the others, they post again, and on it goes until all you can hear are multiple letterboxes clanging in happy unison.

This is how our brilliant group - of Andy, Jackie, John, Sarah, and Steve - posted over 300 pamphlets for (the awesome) Camden FoodCycle this Wednesday.

And they married their efficiency with fun - you could hear laughter and conversation alongside the letterboxes - it was a joy to spend the evening with this special group!

Here's to the next one!!

Our new mascot is a web developer.

They're a true expert in ICT (insects - caterpillars - (and) - termites).

They have promised us they will spread the GoodGym word in apartments, flats, and houses across Camden. Apparently they can get into any building.

Whilst they are neither a vegan nor a vegetarian, they (reluctantly) respect others ways of life. Unless you are an insect, caterpillar, or termite.

We will call them Camden. Camden the Big-Fluffy-MaybeScary-Super-Spider.

Our rendezvous and meet-and-great with Camden (The Big Fluffy Spider) filled the final minutes of our time at the Caversham's Listening Space Garden, amidst a darkening and (orange) moon shaped sky.

We started in our usual haunt by the Crick this evening. Caitlin, Gosia, Jackie, Steve, and I started with chatter before attempting the count-to-25 warm-up game. We didn't quite make it to 25. This irked Camden (The Big Fluffy Spider). Every successful spider - apparently - can count to 25 (flies).

Our smaller group tracked a sun-bound evening route through Camden to the Caversham, where we were met by GG Camden regular, Sarah, and GG Camden newcomers, Alfie, Anton, and Nivia (you're very welcome, all!!)

Guided by the Caversham's brill social prescriber, Jackie, we got tucked into 40 minutes of scraping, pulling, and removing summer weeds. Heads down under our encroaching evening, we each got to know someone a little better.

Thank you, all, folks (including you, Camden) for this evening - you made a huge and visible difference to this space, which is used so much by the local community - thank you :)

Here's to next time!