Goodgymers Martin and Tigger were delighted to find the Warden Hill community garden springing into production already with shallots and onions growing well. Taking advantage of the perfect gardening weather, they prepared more ground and popped in broad beans and pea seeds, and started on shaping up and allocating more of the plot for sowing some spinach and various greens at next visit. Great spot for a Sunday morning workout with spade, fork and watering cans.

Early risers aided by Gail and Sam having set up and checked the course, the morning sun then warmed the multitude of runners and volunteers arriving for parkrun number 401. A supercharged and eye-catching splash of red Goodgym t-shirts formed as we assembled for marshall, scanning, parkwalk and timekeeping duties along with some dual role GG volunteer-and-run superstars. A happy team and a healthy contribution to a successful parkrun.

This task brought with it some good memories and a sad goodbye. Over the last 2 years GG Luton has supported projects at the Square Garden in Leagrave Park and sadly, the venue is being closed and opened up as a refurbished public space by the local authority. This meant that there was lots of equipment that needed packing away into shipping containers for safe keeping. Before getting stuck in on this task, I went for a 5k run with Lizzy which was nice as it was on a route we hadn't run together before. We did a loop around the estate and back to the park. When arrived back at the park, David, Tigger and the always smiling Abim were hard at work loading bits and bobs onto trolleys to wheel over to the container. As we were all present by this point, we set about the biggest task, moving the inflatable stage (already deflated). We all chipped in to get it onto a flatbed trolley and we had it safely put away in the container before you could say, " did Martinbring the cake". The answer of course was, YES. Well, some cheeky vienesse whirls. This was just to toast my recent GG milestone. So after helping to pack up the remaining items, including the marquee the project had been using. We all shared a delicious sweet treat and toasted a job well done. Great effort team, well done 👏

On this week's group run we welcomed Pam to the team after recruiting her at last weeks session. After the intro and warm-up we headed out to Holy Trinity Church, for our second go at a good spring clean.

We polished the pews, took Henry Hoover up the aisle and dusted off the organ pipes and the cobwebs up on the rafters.

With everything shiny and smelling of polish we did a workout in the aisle, walking lunges, star jumps, squats and press ups got the blood pumping in preparation for the return journey back into town.

I have no doubt that an organization like this in Luton will help a lot of vulnerable people and those who are homeless with food. Although I have been living in Luton for more than two years and have not had the opportunity to volunteer until last year with Good Gym, I am sure that the Good Gym team is great and kind people. However, this is the first time I have had the opportunity to volunteer with FOOD CYCLE, so my feelings were wonderful, amazing, gorgeous, magnificent, fabulous, terrific, fantastic. Though this opportunity was late, let me answer this question: why do I want to be a volunteer? I am a frank and straightforward man, so I want to make new friends, share ideas, help poor people, be active, support my community, enhance my skills, strengthen my CV, and improve my mental health.