The team of 15 GoodGymers arrived one by one at the Cranbrook Community Centre just off Roman Road.

It wasn’t long before our group had grown- we were delighted to welcome first-time GoodGymer Zeeshan.

The group promptly divided into three smaller teams to get stuck into the evening’s tasks under the watchful eye of task owners Janet and Eileen.

The first team got to grips with a furniture check... With the centre well-used by local groups and residents we wanted to check a stash of trestle tables were in good condition and safe to use. Each table was tested for wobble before returning them inside, after which the team put some energy into moving the bright and cheerful wendy house to a more suitable spot, before embarking on a thorough litter pick. A surprising amount to collect, the team kept at it, steadily clearing up the outdoor area, leaving it tidy for users of the community centre.

Outside the gates, another team turned their attention to the hedge that runs along the pavement. With branches starting to obstruct the pavement, the pruning team carefully trimmed them back, helping to keep the path safe and clear for pedestrians before heading around to the bin area with the many weeds and branches.

Meanwhile, the third group concentrated on leaf-picking around the garden borders. Over time, leaves tend to collect between the fences and the beds, so the team worked methodically to gather them up, leaving the edges looking neat and cared-for.

We worked quickly and productively for 45 minutes, then shortly before 8, we packed away the kit, gathered for that all-important group photo, and then headed out onto Mace Street. With the daylight fading, we enjoyed a top-to-toe stretching session to round things off.

Another great night in Tower Hamlets, thanks to Janet and Eileen and the wonderful Tower Hamlets GoodGymers.

We break for the Bank Holiday next week, but return to the fun Canal Club Community Garden on September 1st!

Until then.

As July comes to a warm and sunny end, this evening saw 12 GoodGymers arriving at the Cranbrook Community Centre. A well-used, much loved asset on the Cranbrook Estate, the Centre's cared for by longstanding task owners Janet and Eileen.

Welcoming Caterina and Frankie to their first GoodGym, and Kirsti to her first Tower Hamlets GoodGym, we headed to the tool box to select our instruments for tonight’s task.

Everyone got stuck in straight away. Some of the GoodGymers worked in pairs, others on their own, all tackling a variety of jobs.

Hedges were trimmed, leaves cleared from garden borders, and litter picked.

The notice boards at the front of the centre were cleared of rose bushes, so locals passing by can see more easily the activities taking place at the centre.

As 8pm approached, the team headed around the corner to start cutting back trees hanging over the pavement!

A tidy, cared-for environment that helps to make the centre feel welcoming, our efforts in the garden were much appreciated this evening.

After posing for that all-important group pic, we headed out to the Mace Street wall for our Monday stretching session. A great end to an absolutely brilliant night.

Next week, we’re headed to the Canal Club Community Garden for gardening, cake and swimming…

Until then.

A team of at least a dozen goodgymers (I lost count) came to help out the lovely Janet and Eileen at Cranbook Community Centre. Thanks to the clocks going forward we were treated to some actual daylight for the first time in ages. Shout-out to John for reminding me to take some photos to prove that we weren't slacking off in Laura's absence.

We split off into mini groups, each with a dedicated task. Some performed quality control checks on folding tables, keeping the good ones and retiring the rest. Others sorted out sheds at the back, clearing out any rubbish. Litter and leaves (oh the leaves) were were picked/raked/bagged up. Special mention goes to the new rake sourced by Janet which was red and white - a homage to our Goodgym colours perhaps? Or most probably, just a rake.

By the end of the task, the impact of a hard-working group of Goodgymers was clear with Eileen showing her appreciation by bestowing a bar of chocolate on us (thanks Eileen!)

We parted ways (without a stretch this time) having all enjoyed an evening in fine company.

Shout outs to:

• Vidur and Jason on their first Goodgym task. A very warm welcome to you both!
• Ilana on her 50th task. Congratulations!

Until next time...

A group of dedicated community GoodGymers gathered at the Cranbrook Community Centre this evening to help clear the borders of this well used garden of fallen leaves.

Our group of 10 slowly gathered inside and outside the centre, where we collected bin liners, gloves and rakes.

After saying hello to task owners Janet and Eileen, and welcoming first time GoodGymer, Liz, we divided into four teams, spread out over all four borders.

What’s with the leaves?

Good question, given the number of tasks that currently include leaves.

Fallen leaves may look attractive, but leaving too many on the ground can cause problems. Wet leaves can become slippery, and if left in too dense a layer, they can also block sunlight and air from reaching grass and plants beneath, affecting their growth. Decomposing leaves also create the perfect conditions for mould and unwanted pests.

By carefully clearing the borders and some of the grass areas, we’re helping to keep the garden both safe and healthy.

While the leaves were bagged up and carried away in multiple trips to the bin, the gathered sticks were put to good use. Rather than them meeting the same fate as the leaves, Ivo and Rohan set them aside in a quiet corner of the garden, where they’ll hopefully provide shelter for insects, and useful materials for birds building nests.

By the time the last bag of leaves, meanwhile, was taken to the bin, the evening chill appeared to have set in.

After our obligatory final pic, and a cheerio to Janet and Eileen, we rounded things off with a short stretching session, focusing on upper body stretches to help ease us into the week.

With the borders now looking a bit tidier, we headed home, pleased to have seen Janet and Eileen, cleared a bit of the garden and helped to support the wildlife that calls it home.

Next week, we’re back to the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, for another fun-filled evening with Ken.

Until then.

Another month, another leaf haul at Cranbrook Community Centre.

It seems like only yesterday we were at the Centre, tackling large piles of leaves in and around the hall to help clear the garden (and prevent leaves continually blowing in to this busy little community centre).

With a pretty punctual start, we were soon filling bin biners and bins with piles and piles of leaves.

With one rake down at just ten minutes in, it was obvious tonight was going to involve a lot of squats.

Meanwhile, a last minute breakaway task saw Louise and Fiona head to a couple of nearby blocks of flats to drop some posters promoting this Saturday’s Christmas party in the hall. A well-established tradition of the Centre, this is a true Christmassy affair complete with tree and food for all.

Team Leaflet then returned to help Team Leaf, who’d by now filled the large bin and were making their way through the roll of bin liners.

We called it a night shortly before 8, dropping a good sized stash of full bags around to the big bin area.

It was a productive evening, and although the leaves will no doubt reappear, this has still left the ground a lot clearer for now, leaving Janet and Eileen one less task to worry about as we head into the busy festive season.

We headed back into the hall to complete our evening with a top-to-toe stretch. Well done to the team for their input here!

Another lovely Monday evening in Tower Hamlets.

Until next time.

A still, crisp, Monday night saw a great-sized group of GoodGymers gathering at the Cranbrook Community Centre tonight to help clear a big build-up of leaves.

(Leaves collecting - and staying - on the ground isn’t great for the soil. The leaves also make their way into the centre continuously at this time of year, creating an endless sweeping task for the centre’s regular users).

With the annual AGM taking place tonight, it was a question of us gathering equipment, donning gloves, dividing bin bags and getting on with it.

With teams spread out over all four corners of the little garden, the GoodGymers wasted no time in raking, bagging and binning most of the leaves.

When the AGM finished, Janet headed out to inspect the garden, delighted at what she found.

With our task completed shortly before 8, we headed out to the Mace Street wall to finish with a little bit of flexibility work to get the week off to a splendid start.

As we strolled down the street, the team concluded that The Angel and Crown would be a good bet for this evening’s post-task pint. A cracking end to a lovely evening.

Until next time.