Half the clan assembled outside a blustery Jim & Tonic, I arrived exactly at 6.45pm and felt late, as unusually wasn't the first there. We welcomed Will to his first ever GoodGym experience, a Forest Gate local, environmental scientist and keen runner - glad to welcome you to the ranks. But the new faces didn't end there, we had the pleasure of embracing Pete to the fold, Siobhan persuading him to join, daring enough to introduce him to her mad Wednesday crew, cracking to meet you mate!

We skipped through a Random Weekly Question, a topical one "what decisions have you made a u-turn on?". I commenced proceedings, explaining I'd done a 180 on ebikes,figuratively that is, feel a bit like a charlatan as a PT, but I'll add that to the list. Will decided to start riding a bike in London, whilst Siobhan has decided to stop, temporarily - and understandably. Ruth now tolerates aubergines to ingratiate dinner party hosts, whilst Rosa has decided she doesn't loathe 26.2 miles, but in fact wants to do another one. Finally, Pete has recently become a fan of the gritty high-tempo beats of the 90s, also known as Garage, oh take me back...

On arrival at Up Garden, the rest of the team had already been put to work by the inspirationally well organised, Suzanne. Looked like they were moving some kind of trough filled with sand, and it didn't look easy, we crept through the darkness in search of another job, shed swivelling, you might call it. After an impressive team effort we managed the get the shed flush in the corner, under a plastic grate, however, there are concerns over how level it is. Hopefully can be propped up in the light. Swiftly moving on we moved five or so benches to a new zone. Then onto the sleepers, which I feel we've had a lot of practice with of late. Another fine team display of hoisting the weighty wood in position, then sliding it tight on to the next one. Some levelling work was done in order to lock a couple in place. These words, as usual, don't do the effort justice. I did however forget how effective a unit we can be when we get enough numbers, a thing to behold. Would love for us to work back up to twenty per session, that's the long term goal.

The Garden officially opens it doors on the 30th of October. I'll share info in our whatsapp group. Exciting.

Next week we head to Get Out Garden, more community garden action, for the youth charity based in Tower Hamlets. Sign up 'ere

Till next time you beauts,

B

We arrived to a flurry of activity at Magpie Close setting up for the Magpie project summer celebration, Jane immediately signed us in and started running through our task list, helpfully listed out with a map of the entertainment spaces to be constructed.

Katrin and Goodgym first-timer Pete teamed up to build two BBQs from scratch for the food station, whilst Hilary and Miriam set out constructing two gazebos for the Tombola and Merchandise areas. The gazebos went up in no time (we had Goodgym pros on the job), so after finishing, we started on setting up the tables, chairs and various merch and games equipment for the fair. We got a bit creative with the fashion section, pinning up signage and merch to attract the punters.

Katrin and Pete did a solid job getting the BBQs constructed and the food stations arranged just in time and Jane was so impressed that we all received food vouchers for our efforts!

Although we were tempted to celebrate with a jump on the bouncy castle it was strictly under-5s only so we refrained and went for a high five and a photo op instead :) It was great to get involved with the Magpie Project and see lots of smiling faces arriving for the celebrations before we parted ways, a great start to the weekend!