On a dark and damp Monday evening, GoodGymers gathered at Cranbrook Community Centre - fresh back from weekends as far-flung as Liverpool, Hertfordshire, Rye (in Sussex, not the bread), Argentina(!), and of course, Newham.

Cranbrook’s lovely garden had been completely overtaken by soggy, slippy leaves - turning paths into skating rinks and corners of the garden into no-go zones. Armed with two rakes, a broom, and plenty of optimism, we set to work, clearing and sweeping until the place looked recognisable again. John even spruced up the community notice board, ready to display this season’s offerings.

We joined forces with the brilliant Janet and Eileen, who’ve been helping out at the centre for “over 20 years – I’ve lost track, it’s been so long!” Eileen had previously vowed not to come once it got dark, but the lure of GoodGym proved too strong, and she ended up getting stuck in herself.

After an hour of raking, sweeping, and gathering, the paths were clear, the leaves were bagged, and the community garden was once again safe for all the local groups who use it.

We rounded off the evening with some Alfajores that Caterina had bought back from Argentina (soft, crumbly South American biscuits sandwiched with dulce de leche), although Janet and Eileen, in true east-end fashion, insisted on calling them Wagon Wheels - and to be fair, they weren’t entirely wrong!

See you all next week 🍂