A few weeks ago one of our GoodGymers, Robert, pointed out a litter trap in a patch of shrubs along a footpath near his home in Welling. Today we teamed up with Julie from Discover Welling to tidy it up, then we planned to plant some bulbs in nearby flowerbeds.

Robert was away so couldn't join us, but with our litter-picking champion Ashton on the case we got the rubbish cleared up super-quickly... or so we thought!

Just as we were ready to move on to the gardening, we spotted an empty cider can lodged in one of the thorny bushes. A closer look revealed loads more empty cans - mostly all the same brand of cider - stashed into the bush. It was incredible.

Julie set off to plant the bulbs, but we decided to tackle the cans instead. While Johnny fished them out from the top, Ashton and I worked to pull them out from the bottom.

As we extracted them more and more clattered down through the branches. It was like coins cascading out of a slot machine!

We removed over 100 cans but will need to go back with a longer litter pick to reach the final few hiding deep in the prickly shrub.

Alongside the three bags full of cans, we filled three bags with other rubbish - including the usual food packaging, a shoe, a sock, and a very, large heavy loudspeaker.

It was a satisfying result, knowing that we'd refreshed this small patch of nature.

If there's a litter hotspot that you'd like some help tidying up, please get in touch.

This task was part of GoodGym's collaboration with WWF's Workout For Nature initiative, encouraging us all to get out in nature while giving it a helping hand.

In glorious sunshine we ran the retro fairground-style games at the Discover Welling stall at the Danson House Easter Fayre.

Ashton and Julian took charge of Leap Frog: whack a lever with a mallet to propel a beanie frog onto the lily pad. As you might imagine there were some very enthusiastic attempts by the children 🐸🔨!

Marta and Sarah looked after the more sedate Roll-A-Ball game: roll balls down the ramp into numbered alleys to score 11 or lower or 20 or more ⚾️⚾️⚾️.

Children loved having a go, with some coming back for a second turn!

Happily there was an 'everyone's-a-winner' policy so we gave out plenty of stretchy frogs, bouncy balls and chocolate treats as prizes.

Takings from the stand will go towards community projects in Welling, so it was great for us to be playing our part in Discover Welling's fundraising 💰.

The murals in Welling were originally intended as a temporary installation over 20 years ago, but they are still there and needed some tlc. So Julie from Discover Welling asked for our help to give them a good wash. Very apt during the annual Keep Britain Tidy #GBSpringClean fortnight!

Julie arrived with buckets of soapy water - not sure how she got them there! - brushes and sponges, and we set to work. 🪣🪣🪣🧽🧽🧽🧹🧹

Robert, a local resident and great supporter of GG Bexley, came along to say hello, armed with another bucket of soapy water. A luxury this time as it was warm water!

After completing one side of the road we swapped to the other. From the colour of our sponges and dirty water there was no doubt that we'd removed lots of grime!

Then, while some of us swept cobwebs off the lights, and swept the pavement, others went to the local church which kindly let us refill the buckets from their kitchen taps.

With the fresh water we rinsed all the murals, tackling the last of the stickers that had softened enough for us to scrape them off.

Hopefully the murals and the pedestrian tunnels they line look a bit cleaner and tidier now. Passers-by while we were in action were certainly appreciative with lots of 'thank yous'. It's always nice to feel appreciated!

A job well done, we headed to the pub to celebrate Sarah's 400th good deed!

See you for more GoodGym fun next week!

Our sensational litterpicking champion, Ashton, flew the flag for GoodGym at this morning’s community litterpick organised by Welling Station in partnership with the amazing team at Discover Welling.

Targeting the public footpath alongside the station there was so much debris that the rubblish bags filled quickly.

Well done everyone who gave their time and braved the cold to make things nicer for others.

On a cold night when it would have been easy to stay at home, our hardy GoodGymers joined the equally dedicated volunteers from Discover Welling to take down the stickers thanking sponsors of the Welling Christmas lights.

Braving the rain and sleet we split into a group of runners 🏃‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️ and a group of walkers 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️, heading in opposite directions along the high street peeling off stickers along the way. When we got to the end we crossed over and came back along the other side of the road doing the same.

The combination of running and walking gave us all a good dose of exercise, and we got the job done in double-time, even before our hands went numb in the cold. ❄️❄️

If you'd like extra motivation to get out and get moving during the winter months, come and join us!

What a fun hour helping to run the retro fairground games at the Danson House Christmas Market.

Children and adults alike loved launching the frog to land down the chimney, and rolling the balls to score for prizes.

And we loved being being part of this festive community event, working alongside the other volunteers from Discover Welling, with all proceeds going towards next year's Christmas Sparkle lights in Welling.