Sevan and Kash planned to support the Light Up the Lane event set up after Pitshanger junior parkrun, which meant an extended coffee break in the area.

The GoodGymers met other Pitshanger Community Association volunteers at the corner of Albert Road. The site of the already blocked Pitshanger Lane was overseen by pink hi-viz overlords (or overladies?) Rosie, Annette and Belinda, who floated between the barricades on their scooters like guardian angels.

Sevan and Kash joined the classic yellow hi-viz crowd commanded by Robert who was a natural leader in chaotic times. Robert knew when to do what and how to bring assurance and order into something that could have otherwise turned into a  bunch of random volunteers walking around with nothing to do.

The volunteers were working in loose teams of six, putting up gazebos and quickly learning how to turn their squads into well-oiled machines. Tasks involving the use of telescopic poles, sandbags, cable ties and velcro became a routine after the first gazebo stood proudly, assembled and ready for the event.

Close to 1 pm the volunteers turned themselves into bin men and women and distributed the wheelie bins on the lane. The last task was to put up barriers around the stage. After that job, Sevan and Kash supported the local business again by treating themselves to hot chocolate which nicely warmed up their freezing fingers. They ran back home afterwards but will be back in the evening to see the event and, most importantly, help take down all the stalls and barriers they set up.