Making hay whilst the sun still shines

Pinch, punch, 1st of the month

On another stunning early Autumn evening Michelle, Paul, Barbara , Sue ,Anne, Tamsin and a bit later Belinda, met up for some usual Monday action. After some catch up news and the usual banter we set off promptly so that we could chase the light. We set off with an easy paced warm up run through the town centre and beyond

Grave business

It’s always a favourite task with our team to return to see Sue and Peter at Heene Cemetery. This disused graveyard was opened in the late 1860's and remained open for over 100 years. Designated a Sussex site for nature conservation it’s an oasis for wildlife, nature and wildflowers it receives a lot of time and tlc from volunteers. All the hard work came to fruition this year when the graveyard received a level 5 commendation in the South East Gardens In Bloom competition. In the 'it’s your neighbourhood' category the volunteers were delighted to be rated as outstanding for community involvement, gardening and conservation. Back in the summer we had visited to give our help to do a tidy up just before the judges visited. Let’s take a moment to feel a tiny piece of pride in this result too.

Rakes progress

Tonight’s task was all about the raking. 2 weeks ago the grass around the graves was strimmed and left until tonight to be cleared so that it self-seeded ready for some lush grass growth next spring. The team wasted no time in collecting tools to set about the task of a tidy up on and around the graves which included raking the hay from the paths and graves into piles before loading it into wheelbarrows and bags together with brushing off moss, leaves and debris from as many graves as possible.

Barrow of fun

One of the nicest elements of GoodGym is the fun that we have and all the banter, which is often fairly risqué. Tonight was no exception with some interesting discussion about mating hedgehogs and gestation time .This followed size discussions! (Not so risqué as it was all about the GG tee shirts) The fun continued when we were gathering for the final group photo and Tamsin decided to do a Beth impression and climb into one of wheelbarrows for a photo moment (Check out the photos!)

The only types of sunset we don’t like are the ones we miss

With some cheery goodbyes the group headed off to catch the last of another stunning sunset on the prom. The front group headed out west and the back group met up with Belinda who having been delayed in traffic had headed out to meet us and whilst waiting for us to arrive had religiously been doing some physio and fitness exercises. Kudos B! Tonight was lamppost interval training. There was some great competitive sprinting by everyone this evening followed by some upper body press-ups and stretching back at Splashpoint.

The Chipping forecast

So tonight was treat night with 6 runners heading for a fish and chip / burger/ halloumi and beverage treat at Chipwick . We were joined by Nick and John which made a nice round 8 and a great (and filling time) was had by all !

Dates for your diary

27th October – GoodGym park run takeover

Don’t forget to respond to Belinda’s doodle poll for our Christmas bash!

I hope to see you all next Monday meeting at Worthing Leisure Centre for our task at the Rowans.