9 ran to interact to help with the wildlife garden

The team met once again at the ideas hub and were pleased to welcome Sue who whilst new to us had been well trained by Angela in Colchester, so slotted in to both the group and the task with great energy.

We had a last minute change of plan so were pleased to be able to help out our friends at the Interact charity at Moulsham mill. Susie told us about the great work they do with young adults with learning difficulties and then set us to work, clearing branches from some planters and digging the path in the wildlife garden. The planters were then filled with the earth we had dug, ready for planting at the first signs of spring!

A great effort by everyone ment we filled 2 of the 3 remaining planters and moved some earth to help level the ground at the back.

We paused briefly for water and biscuits (although I think I ate the most again) and set off on an extended route back, because digging is not hard enough for this crew!

Back at the hub we discussed some exciting up coming projects and the weekends races whilst we stretched. Good luck to those doing Colchester half Marathon this weekend and of course Parkrun!

Catch you all next week!

Twelve tackle the task of taming terrible topiary

This week we gave our Goodgym crew a taste of how missions work and how important they can be. John from Springfield park baptist church brought this task to our attention. One of his Parishioners Brian has been unable to maintain the area in front of his house and the area has been left unattended for some time. As the area is beside the road we were able to get stuck in and clear the area in no time. The hedge was so over grown you could hardly see the windows, let a lone see out of them, so our main task was to clear the higher branches so they were clear and a view was once again visible.

After our 2.3k run we collected tools from the church and John came back with us to explain the task. We also collected the 2 wheelie bins to fill and put the reminder into plastic bags. The hedge was exceptionally prickly but no major injuries were recorded!

This left us time for one of my favorite sessions, the three bridges relay! As the route led us back to the wooden bridge with newbie Jem pushing the pace, we paused there and split into teams. After a closely fought first leg or two the teams began to edge away from each other, but as I ran last leg and was not back to see the winning team we may have to call a draw??

A slightly steadier run back to base and a stretch whilst we discussed the days events completed the session. Great work by all bringing some light to someones life, hopefully in more ways than one.

14 runners ran to Moulsham mill to help Interact charity.

The first run of 2017 brought some new faces to add to the familiar mix of regulars but before we gathered for the main task a few of us met to help Little stars circus take down their rig before they moved to new premises. Gerry, Joel and Rachel joined Ken to assist them in moving the frame work which had taken them a whole day to put up, and we managed to take it down in about 20 minutes!

On to the main event and it was great to welcome new people to the goodgym team, Maria and Lilian among the first to arrive. Also great to meet Sarah who had her documents signed so she can get set up and run to a coach. Please let me know if you would like more information on coach runs to the elderly and isolated.

After our introductions we set off on the short run to the Mill and met Adam who said a few words about interact and their work with young people with learning difficulties. the task was outlined and we all set to work washing down the walls before painting everything that stood still long enough! Newbies Lizzie and Kim were quickly in to action while Cat and Gerry led with their previously hidden decorating knowledge!

A second team including Richard and Lida headded off to clean the kitchens (yes two kitchens!) which included a game of how many Goodgymmers does it take to put a fridge door back together? (one if it's Caroline, apparently) and "can you post this photo, because my mum will never believe I am cleaning!"

Once completed, equipment collected and brushes cleaned we split into two groups, the "direct route back to base" group and the "extra bridge loop and see if we can catch them" group. As I completed an extra loop with Richard most people were back before me so I have no idea who won! either way we all arrived back safely to the hub and had a debrief whilst we stretched.

Really pleased with the session and the turn out on a cold evening, don't forget we are running back to do another coat of paint in our starter session on Saturday morning, meeting at the ideas hub at 10am, which will give some of us a chance to run or volunteer at parkrun first. Bring those red shirts!

Next week we return to Hylands school farm, always a firm favorite with the crew, but maybe not one to wear your best kit! Wellies and overalls can be provided if needed!

see you soon!