1 Month Streak
Block or report Jon Scott-Francis
Hounslow
📍Chiswick Town Hall W4 4JN
Keep the waterway clean
Wed 22nd Jan at 6:30pm
Wed 15th Jan at 6:30pm
Hounslow Report written by Anastasia Hancock (she/her)
It was our first visit back at Gunnersbury park for 2025, and we had a big challenge in store. In the chilly weather we've been having, a big physical task was just what we needed!
With GGers coming from all over the borough and beyond, we met at a location in the depths of the park to find a massive pile of wood chips waiting for us. Before we could get started we were given a very thorough risk assessment by Jacob, one of the lead gardeners, and were even treated to a rather stylish high vis to wear.
Dividing into groups, we grabbed barrows and spades and got stuck in. As usual, we chatted while we worked, which made the time fly by. Conversations were as varied as ever, from parkrun to training plans and even some rather interesting Guinness world record attempts...
It's amazing to see what can be done when so many people work together, and we had a very efficient spade/barrow system in place. Before long the piles had been decimated and we had several crisp new paths to show for our efforts.
Hard work done, all that was left were the celebrations! Timed to perfection, just before Gus leaves us for a month for glamourous Milan, he achieved his 50 good deed milestone - congratulations! He's gone through several pairs of gardening gloves, managed to do a month of daily 5kms, has forged a brand new cycling habit and has done so much good over those 50 sessions. To mark the occasion Emily made the lemon drizzle to end all lemon drizzles!
If you're looking for some more GoodGym fun this weekend then why not head down to Chiswick eyot to help with cutting and weaving - it's a very fun task if you don't mind a bit of mud!
Also keep an eye on the January challenge - we're doing well but there's still a way to go! What better incentive to book yourself into your next GG session....
Wed 15th Jan at 6:30pm
Wed 8th Jan at 6:30pm
Creating a growing space to produce fruit and veg to donate
Read moreWed 11th Dec 2024 at 6:30pm
Help out with a task at this community hub
Read moreWed 27th Nov 2024 at 6:30pm
Hounslow Report written by Anastasia Hancock (she/her)
A last minute task following a cancellation from Chiswick House coupled with some freezing temperatures might not have made for the most inviting Wednesday evenings, but that didn't stop a dedicated group of GoodGym runners coming together for a productive and fun evening of planting tulip and daffodil bulbs in preparation for a beautiful spring bloom.
What made it even more brilliant was that we had Hounslow's next (soon to be) qualified run leader running the session - take a bow Chris!
Chris kicked off the session with a quick warm-up, trying to shake off the chill in the air, before heading out on our run to the park. The cold air didn’t stop us, and the group kept a steady pace, chatting as we went along. We were all keen to get started with our task. It might feel quite some way away, but we kept in mind that the bulbs would soon be bringing some color back to the park come spring.
*We arrived to find our second reason of the night to celebrate! Please give a massive cheer for Leticia— last night also marked her 200th Good Deed milestone! 🎉👏 She's shown inspiring commitment and enthusiasm! Congratulations, Leticia, here’s to many more.
We wasted no time in getting to work. Armed with trowels and gloves, we dug into the frozen ground to plant dozens of tulip and daffodil bulbs. While the weather made the task a bit more challenging, it didn’t dampen anyone's spirits. Chris kept us motivated with energy and regular check ins, even when our fingers were freezing!
As we worked, we kept our eyes peeled for any signs of wildlife, and there was a moment of intrigue when we spotted a frog, or was it a toad? Either way it was a testament to the damp conditions, which at least made for softer soil for digging. After the bulb planting was complete, we gathered up our tools and headed back for a quick run to the base with just enough time to squeeze in a little fitness. Chris took us through our paces in a session featuring loops around the park interspersed with conditioning exercises to really get our hearts pumping. It was a great way to finish off the evening combining cardio and strength in a fun challenge.
Next week we've got a full on task spreading mulch at Gunnersbury park - keep your fingers crossed for warmer weather!
And congratulations to Hounslow's very own power couple - an incredible 200 good deeds and a brilliant new new Run Leader on the same night. What more could we ask for?!
Thu 28th Nov 2024 at 12:31pm
Congrats Chris for becoming a Run leader and Leticia achieving 200 good deeds - well done both
Thu 28th Nov 2024 at 1:11pm
Congratulations Chris and Tish 🎉👏
Wed 27th Nov 2024 at 6:30pm
Wed 20th Nov 2024 at 6:30pm
Hounslow Report written by Anastasia Hancock (she/her)
The roads were glistening white, our fingers were growing blue but our tshirts were red and that means one thing - it's GoodGym Hounslow night!
There was no doubt that the temperature has plummeted which made the prospect of an outside task not particularly inviting. But we had a job to do, and nothing was going to stop us!
We ran down to Strand on the Green school to finish off a job that we have been working on for several sessions. After sanding down the benches in the middle of the school field it was now time to stain them with wood protector.
We located the tins of preserver, grabbed our brushes and got to work.
Gus showcased his speed staining moves, Emily was flipping benches like a pro, Chris was popping the tops of the tins and the whole scene was a blur of activity. After 40 minutes of hard work, the complete set of seven benches was done and ready for winter. It just goes to show that with the right motivation we are highly efficient!
Sub zero temperatures meant that, for once, fitness was not on the cards. Plus we had already had a good workout with all that quick painting and trying to keep warm! So we raced back to base, did some stretches (important when it's cold to prevent injuries) and headed to the toasty pub.
Net week we're back at Chiswick House and there is also a great upcoming mission to rewild the river] (https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/rewild-the-river). Happy GoodGyming everyone!
Wed 13th Nov 2024 at 6:30pm
Hounslow Report written by Anastasia Hancock (she/her)
It's hard to believe that GoodGym Hounslow is a whole eight years old! Yet, with
5,426 good deeds
completed, we've certainly got a lot to show for it!
Over the years we've planted more bulbs that we can count, cleared more bags of rubbish than you can shake a litter pick at, and pulled an unimaginable amount of weeds. Not to mention all the miles we've covered!
We were treated to an indoor task last night (it was our birthday after all) which was just as well as the temperature was definitely dropping. So after a very short run we arrived at the church and community centre on Sutton Court Rd for a big painting job.
We were met by Carol who handed out brushes, and without any dilly-Dali-ing around we got straight into it. There were some excellent fashion choices on display, with the soon to be patented 'bin bag chic' range.
With no tape on hand for neat edges and some patchy paint we had a challenge on our hands, but I would say we did an Emin-entely good job. It just shows what you can do with a Kandin(sky) attitude. Ok, that one didn't work...
Job done, we headed off for Turnham Green, where Michelle debuted her excellent GoodGym Hounslow pass the parcel. Cue the music! Whilst doing squats and other conditioning exercises we passed the parcel, which was stuffed with sweets and questions such as 'who has done all the parkruns within the M25' and fiendish anagrams of past tasks. It was Tish who finally won the prize, which was full of amazing things like magnetic race number fasteners. What a bonus!
We just had time for an egg and spoon race and a ball between the knees relay which showcased some amazing techniques, before retiring to the pub for cake and memories.
Amazing to see all we've achieved over the last eight years, all the friendships made and the good done in the community. Happy Birthday and here's to you GoodGym Hounslow, and long may it continue!
Thu 14th Nov 2024 at 3:17pm
Thanks Michelle and Ana for the brilliant quiz/fitness session combo - great fun!
Thu 14th Nov 2024 at 3:30pm
Here’s to many more with gr8 m8s 🫶🏻
Mon 18th Nov 2024 at 5:04pm
I appreci8 what you did there
Wed 13th Nov 2024 at 6:30pm
Come and lend a hand at this painting party
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