Starting at Tap Tavern, Jp celebrated his 600th task, an additional 100 tasks from his milestone 500 in just 11 months!

Beyond the bright lights of Richmond, an intrepid group of GoodGymmers headed off into the dark lands of Petersham to the hidden lair of Petersham and Ham Sea Scouts.

One pair set about emptying a broken trug of soil, one pair helped to level ground to put slabs down for the wheelie bins, and the remaining people got stuck in to a task to filter the ash from the huge bonfire and remove any metal nails that were in the palettes that were burned! A good team task that had everyone doing their bit to get the job done and keep fit while we did it!

The evening ended as the temperature dropped quickly and the group ran back towards the high street and home!

The Petersham and Ham Sea Scouts hosted their annual Bonfire and Fireworks on Saturday night. 2 Goodgymers helped out on Sunday morning to clear up a few areas and as the last remnants of the Bonfire was still simmering, with a spade we lifted the ground around the fireplace. Grass seeds will be strewn around this area to allow the grass to regrow again. More work will continue on Monday nights group task.

From the bright lights of Richmond town centre we ran out towards Petersham and the quiet peace of the ground at Petersham & Ham Sea Scouts. The tide had been very high during the afternoon and by the time we arrived the water was still in pools over 100m from the riverbank.

Scout leader Russell had lots of woody tasks for us, moving branches to the bonfire pile, collecting leaves and moving rotten wood. These all involved using the rather rustic trolley that gets the job done there!

A good 50 minutes of moving tree parts around the site and we were ready to run off into the night!

We are back at the Sea Scouts soon to help clear up after the bonfire party. Join us in this special part of Richmond borough.

A happy return to Petersham & Ham Sea Scouts this evening, starting with a meet at the Tap Tavern. One pair set off to walk while the rest ran down by the riverside out to where it gets quiet and peaceful in the evening.

A 3km steady pace brought us to the gates of the scouts where darkness has already descended and a bonfire was burning for the children there this evening.

Ever-ready task owner Russell had lots planned for us and we set about sorting firewood, sweeping endless leaves from the access drive and bagging compost. All great physical tasks that leave no chance for getting cold!

Jobs done we took a pose in the compost area before jogging, walking and cycling off into the night!

It was a glorious July evening, and twelve GoodGymmers took a break from watching the Olympics to came along to enjoy the sunshine, do good and get fit. Some of us walked, some of us ran and some of us made our way along the marvellous riverside by two wheels to the Ham and Petersham Sea Scouts.

Over the past few weeks, we had been helping the Sea Scouts to repair and lay a footpath which was worse for wear. JP and Harry had done a great job at finishing off the hard work on Saturday's Community Mission, but Russell still had plenty of work for us to do, and had four tasks ready for us to get stuck in to.

Heat, Feet and Concrete

Newcomer Rob joined Suze to finish filling in a final pothole on the pathway. Supported by Julian, there were literally sparks flying as Suze showed off her pickaxe skills and Rob learnt how to mix up cement. Bob the Builder, more like Rob the Builder!

Push and Shovel

Adam and our other first timer Lynn were put onto compost duties. A big warm pile needed moving from the compost pile across the grounds, and the duo did a wheely great job in the allotted time.

On the fence, or stick to what you know?

JP and Steph were the ones feeling strong, and Sea Scouts Chris took them off to help with some 'heavy lifting', which involved moving a load of fence barriers, manouevering the trolley and loading up lots of wood, sticks and logs.

Path of Least Resist-ants

Chris, Harry, Maena, T, Monika and Lucy were with Russell for what he referred to as 'industrial weeding'. This was not just any weeding, as the name suggested, as he took us through a jungle of trees armed with spades. Once we were deep in the forest, Russell explained the plan was to clear the long grass and pampas to make way for a new woodland path. This was sweaty work, a marathon rather than a sprint. There was also a hammer throw event (but with newly shifted grass instead of hammers), gymnastics with the beam and bar, hurdles over tree roots and diving into bushes.

Just under an hour had passed, and it was time to finish up for the evening, and make our way back home into the sunset.

Well done to Teresa and Susannah for their big cycle ride down to the Isle of Wight over the weekend, and for cycling along tonight too! A big welcome to Robert and Lynn who came along to their first ever GoodGym sessions today, and to Harrison for joining in his first group run. Hopefully we will see you all again soon, although we can't guarantee this weather every week, sadly!

And finally a big thank you to everyone for behaving for my first official session led, and not causing a riot whilst Liz is away!

It was our third trip in a row to the Petersham & Ham Sea Scouts, again helping them to level out the potholes in their driveway.

A few of the regular GG crowd were away this weekend so it was up to Harry and JP to represent, and we joined 4 of the P&H leaders to put ourselves to work.

This particular task has been a good workout! We carried on the job of digging out the top layer in the potholes to allow for drainage holes to be drilled, then refilling and bashing with a roller.

With only 2 of us helping, we took it in turns to use the pick axe and spade to remove the top layer, taking plenty of breathers! Eventually we got the job done and felt satisfied as it was rollered back to a flat surface.

One more trip to the P&H comes on Monday, when we will likely be working in the woods as we’ve finished the driveway. Don’t forget the bug spray!