Monday 16th December 2019
Report written by JULIA GLEESON
Rein-deers's don't stop the GG's
T'was a wet December night 9 days before Christmas when 16 of Worthing GoodGym's finest singers convened to bring some Christmas cheer to the residents of Haviland House, a specialist dementia care nursing home in Worthing.
With some last minute changes on the meeting point due to the awful weather the whole team (somehow) managed to end up in the right place at the right time ( well..almost! )
Massive thanks to John for putting the song sheets together for us all. With just 5 tasks away from his 50th we need to get another celebratory plan in place for the end of January for this incredibly inspirational runner.
Back to this evening ...... where we all convened in the Angmering room with a handful of residents all ready to sing...
Feeling extra Santa -mental
It wasn't long before word spread in the house and gradually more and more residents joined us. It was truly heart warming to see the evolving experience. For some it wasn't an obvious reaction but for others it really was. My team totally excelled themselves sharing song sheets and encouraging residents to join in. The team of carers were also inspirational in their support encouraging the ladies and gentleman to get up and dance, which many of them did.
But wait there's myrhh
Firstly there was Nick and Daisy dancing which inspired the residents to get up and mingle. Great job you two :)
Huge thank you to leas chorister Paul .Thank goodness you could make it tonight!
Then, 30 mins later there was a surprise in store for our final two songs.
John together with Duncan and lucy had got together over a beer yesterday to write 2 bespoke GG Worthing Christmas songs. Normally this could have been a dangerous combination but not tonight ! Honestly massive kudos to them all ! These songs are absolutely brilliant:)
GoodGym Christmas Songs ( Extra) Words by Duncan and Lucy to the tune of Good King Wenceslas
Gathering winter fuel.
Hither, page, and stand by me.
If thou know it telling
Where’s the GoodGym task tonight
Is it in this dwelling?
We must sing these songs tonight,
In our goodgym t-shirts,
Underneath the fairy light.
Sorry if your ears this hurts.
Bring me trowel and bring me spade,
Bring me compost hither.
We must spread it all around,
No matter what the weather.
Runners, walkers out they went,
Out they went together.
Through the rude winds wild lament.
And the bitter weather.
As the nights grow darker now,
And the wind grow stronger.
Fails my heart, I know not how.
I can go no longer.
Mark my footsteps my GoodGymer,
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.
Goodgyms on their weekly task,
I wonder what they’re doing?
Painting, gardening helping out
Keeping Worthing going.
Worthing folk be sure to ask
If you need a favour
GoodGym at your beck and call,
We come in every flavour.
GOODGYM JINGLE –Words by our very own Father Christmas to the tune of Jingle Bells
A GoodGym song tonight.
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Goodgym’s on it’s way,
Oh what fun it is to run
With a group that likes to play
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Goodgym’s on it’s way
Oh what fun it is to do
50 burpees every day.
In other news - Its a wrap
In a blinK of an eye another GG year is over and a decade is ending . With massive love and thanks to you for a wonderful 2019. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.
Here's to an exciting wonderfully evolving 2020
Worthing
Keeping this seafront garden looking ship shape