No fitness session this week, so everyone had plenty of time to get there by the stated time of 19:00. But when the nearby church clock struck seven, there were only three of us! Could it be that when teacher's away, her pupils lose all discipline and roll in late?

Actually everyone did arrive quite soon afterwards, and made sure they didn't get put in detention, by working very hard. Louise arrived to find the youth centre deserted, but soon realised we were busy in the back yard. She'd kindly offered to take on the painting task ("baggsie painting"!), but tonight we were concentrating on the leaves.

The cold weather last weekend had us wrapping up warm, but in contrast the trees decided to shed the last of their covering - and the yard was in parts calf-deep in leaves. We hadn't got leaf-grabbers, but we did have rakes and brooms, black bags, a bin, a huge yellow rubble sack, a wheelbarrow and most importantly, the hands of ten GoodGymers!

This time, we had not just to sweep up the leaves, but remove them to a nearby grass area where we made a huge pile for the council to pick up. Kitty caught up with an old friend (one of two sisters), and it was hard to get everyone to finish, when there were still a few leaves on the ground.

But we'll be back before Christmas - when there'll be a social! Sign up for the drink at https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/tower-hamlets-christmas-drink .

And of course there'll be more fun next week when we return to Hollybush (https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-big-monday-night-task-back-to-hollybush-estat-for-the-planter-makeover-with-the-teesdale-hollybush-tra).

See you then!

This evening, the GoodGym team met in Limehouse, ready to make a difference both indoors and outdoors with Ocean Youth Connexions at the Tower Hamlets Community Transport Hub.

After a short sharp workout in neighbouring Kings Wharf park, we headed over the road for tonight’s briefing.

Our tasks tonight were to clear the outside area of leaves, and start the painting inside the new offices.

We divided into two teams and got to work.

Team Paintbrush focused on the inside, adding a fresh coat of paint to brighten up the space for everyone who uses it. The team strategically navigated high walls and low skirting boards, aiming to cover as much in the short time we were there as possible.

Outside, Team Leaf tackled a thick layer of fallen leaves, raking and bagging to make the area safer and more welcoming. They covered the entire outdoor yard area, and the minibus area, but not for long: GoodGymers blitzed after bag and bag, pausing only to head upstairs for more bin liners.

We finished in two waves (apologies for the small group photo), with Team Paintbrush waiting until every last drop of emulsion was used before gathering dust sheets and brushes and ensuring the place was left as we found it.

We all left with a great sense of accomplishment, excited to be returning on the 25th November.

It was our October visit to the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park this evening, which is always good fun.

At our last visit in September, we'd raked hay and grass around gravestones and monuments close to the entrance of the park.

Tonight, Park Manager Ken's plan was for us to plant crocus and camassia bulbs around this area, to produce an array of colour by the Spring.

With everyone arriving close to 7pm, we were ready to head to the well stocked tool shed shortly after, to grab trowels and barrows, bulbs and gloves.

We welcomed Sal to his first GoodGym session, and grabbed head torches and lights for the ground.

Making our way to tonight's spot, Ken proceeded to tell us a little bit about the area of the park, the purpose of our planting mission and the best planting know-how.

Wasting no time, the team divided into small teams, taking care to cover the entire area, distributing both types of bulb evenly. Returning to the wheelbarrows to restock buckets and occasionally relocate to a new planting spot, as always, the time flew.

Several broken trowels - and one spectacular pun - later we were calling it a night.

Wandering back to the Soanes Centre and tool shed, we concluded it had been a handy little upper body workout, and that we're looking forward to returning later in the Autumn.

Another fun night in the borough - well done team, and a big shout-out to Lucinda for this evening's pretty awesome pun.

Writes John,

"Once you’ve been to Tower Hamlets GoodGym, you never really leave. Danya and Chris both reappeared after some time pursuing other interests, and even recently-unwell Fiona made an appearance, looking dazzling (or was it her reflective cycle jacket?).

Lucinda, Tom and Ilana, all newbies this year, soon became regular attenders, while stalwarts Martin and Rohan can always be depended on.

Meanwhile, Oliver forgot to mention that he recently completed FIFTY good deeds in little more than a year.

Well done Oliver!

The task at Cranbrook Community Centre, Bethnal Green, was a familiar one: removing leaves and dirt which had gathered between the big fence and the little fence. We split into several teams; some were equipped with cutters to trim back the leaves which were overshadowing public areas. I helped sweep up the resulting debris.

Laura had to dash off to one of her other numerous activities, and somehow we managed to wrap things up and take the final picture without her guidance.

And of course we’ll be back next week - and also on Thursday!.

Finally, look out for news of a November social. (It’ll be in November)".

And one by one our little group grew tonight, until there were no fewer than 13 GoodGymers working on the new hazel fence at the pretty St Leonard's Priory Park up in Bromley-By-Bow.

We said hello to first time GoodGym-ers Gurprit, Anton, Anna, and a warm welcome to Tower Hamlets to Anna!

Starting with four teams (one chopping hazel, one weeding, one digging fence-holes and one repairing our less-than-perfect previous hazel fence), it was definitely a case of learning on the job as we pruned, stripped and chopped; weeded and wove, blitzing multiple jobs at one time.

With the team working flexibly, rotating out of one task to another, particularly as time sped on ("Hazel! We need more hazel!"), it was a busy but sociable evening, with the countdown to sunset well and truly on.

A decent workout was had by all, whether digging up weeds or sawing tough branches.

It was after 8 before the team were generously stacking up the kit, and wheeling barrows to the back of the park.

With Kareem providing decent tech assistance, the all-important group pic remained in tact, despite the lack of light.

A great effort, everyone - and a final shout-out to Charlie, who came up with tonight's belter of a pun.

Next week

...we're back to Hollybush Gardens, for our first visit of Autumn with Margaret and Ash.

Until then.