We met up with our fellow marshals and the race organisers just before 8.30, put on our high-vis, chatted about the unforgiving course, and listened to our instructions for the morning.

The organisers must have known that we were linked, as they very kindly put me and Angela together at the same post! We said goodbye and good luck to Chris, and set off to our post on Vicarage Lane. Whilst waiting for the first runners to come through, our lead area marshall arrived with a bag of refreshments.

I'm not sure how Angela put up with me for three hours; I couldn't contain my hunger and ate the cheese sandwich just after 10am, and then inexplicably clapped a driver and a non-racer. I think the sun got to me.

It was all over very quickly: we cheered the first runners at our almost 7 mile post around 35 minutes in, and then were stood down by organisers at 11.30-ish. We headed back to the recreation ground for a lovely cup of tea and homemade coffee and walnut cake (I could have easily eaten more). We saw our Andy briefly at the end, taking a short break from his important event radio duties.

Amazing work by the runners in that heat!

Laurie

After Fay and Sallyann set off walking to the task, the rest of us did a brief slow warm up and set off on a short route to Chelmsford CVS, collecting one more runner on our way.

Our host Sally showed us the wall that needed painting, which was a slightly greyish-white. Richard and Ben started off with a bit of cleaning, whilst everyone else got out the rollers, trays and brushes to paint. As ever, the group sped through the painting, leaving only the highest parts of the wall until the end. Fay made a start with the tall ladder, but decided against it, whilst of course it didn't phase Richard, and Joel braved the smaller step ladder.

As ever, the longest part of the painting task was the washing up. We witnessed different levels of attention, with Russell's brush and tray almost immaculate, and Erin's roller and tray still pretty painty. We finally posed for a photo with the very fresh white wall; Erin's eyes were characteristically shut, and Ben was very serious, perhaps because he got white paint on his lovely clean GoodGym shirt.

David turned up right at the end, didn't do any washing up, joined us in eating the biscuits kindly provided by our host, but did redeem himself by bringing brownies for those of us who made it back to ARU. They were all gone so quickly (even the one I took home) that I have no photographic evidence.

In case you missed it - we've started planning for Sallyann's celebratory meal at San in June. Thanks to all who've contributed to the poll, date to be confirmed soon.

See you all next time,

Laurie

We headed out into the misty morning to do our semi-frequent volunteer at Parkrun. When we arrived, welcoming Chris back, some of us gushed over the incredible northern lights we saw last night, others over the rum and coke/ star wars marathon (Angela). Fay was incredulous that Martin had chosen to keep his legs covered up for once.

We headed out to our assigned tasks, with me being sad that Paul didn't fall off the bike, although not sure I know how to ride one still anyway, and went to cheer on the runners. We all completed our tasks with aplomb - special shoutout to Laura making her Parkrun debut.

Heading to the traditional Spoons for brekky, Andy and Martin leapt at the chance of a second breakfast, with Andy moaning he was forced into ordering toast by....himself.

Good work, have a nice weekend and enjoy the sunshine!

After a brief discussion on the best way to Beaulieu Community Centre, we set off with Joel leading out in the sunshine. We mostly worked it out along the way, apart from some confusion over what sort of looked like a path, but felt more like an uneven grass verge next to a busy road.

We found Fay and Sallyann with cloths and buckets in hand, so the rest of the group picked up sponges and cloths to clean every possible surface in the Heath Room, ahead of the Centre's open day this Sunday.

David went straight in whilst everyone else loitered for a short period, but his work clearly wasn't evident as the window he cleaned first was cleaned at least twice more by other members of the group.

Best use was made of Andy's and Joe's heights, by asking them to clean the tops of windows, whilst Martin and Nisar took the two sponges and did a great job of cleaning up the marked walls.

I spotted a couple of cobwebs on the ceiling, so suggested Rich and Joe give them a good swipe with their cloths, which ended up more of a posing opportunity for Rich than actual cleaning (followed by another posing opportunity with David and a dustpan and broom).

We finished with a lovely group photo, and then thought we were leaving Fay and Sallyann to walk home. Much to our dismay (mostly Andy, David, and Rich) they popped around the corner for chips on the way, whilst the rest of us were at Andy's mercy for his choice of the running route back.

We didn't let it dampen our spirits too much, and we took a celebratory photo with Nisar in his lovely new red t-shirt, before heading home for our less fun dinners than Fay and Sallyann had.

Great work everyone! Let's hope we get invited back to Beaulieu Community Centre for more tasks.

See some of you at parkrun on Saturday for volunteering, and the rest of you on a run soon.

Laurie

Oh it is lovely not to need jumpers while we do good! As we met it was great to see Fay pull up, selecting the hardest space to park in, and whip out our certificate and trophy which we won from beating the streets of Chelmsford! We posed and Martin eyed the prize Sallyann cradled and practiced drinking wine from, while Nisar was unsure why we were all so happy!

We headed off on route on a lovely jaunt through the park laughing at Joe's poor choice of french car and Andy wondered where in Writtle campus the secret new activity will be. Seeing Rich trying to steal the trophy we sped to meet him. Dividing up the leaflets we delivered them around old moulsham with aplomb and chatting about the eagerly anticipated police, fire and crime commissioner elections tomorrow. Great work to help out Mind, Sanctus and Headway charities everyone.

When we ran out we said our goodbyes to some and ran back, bumping into Richard E on the way. Casually walking down the street holding a pint going to put his bins out. Joel was incredibly jealous and inspired. Legend. We stopped for a photo at a restaurant which expressed one of our favourite sayings at GoodGym, 'Oh Rich' and ran back. Erin left us in her dust, inspired by a full bladder.

Don't forget - pub quiz this Sunday. New Beaulieu task at some point this month, and Andy's 250th Parkrun this weekend!!

On a cool evening 6 of us met outside the Old Factory Gym and set off towards St Mary's church in Broomfield.

Tonights task was to help them with some gardening and clearing some paving and walls.

Running at prime chatting pace we were soon there and met by Fay, David, Laurie and Sallyann already hard at work.

Martin, Ben and Joe quickly got to work raking and turning the soil by the church while Erin and Andy joined David scrubbing weeds and soil off the boundary wall. Although Erin got a great bit of 'mansplaining' of how she should being doing it by a passerby, lol. This was quickly put to rest by the fabulous group of gardening volunteers asking that we don't do as the passerby had said. (double lol)

With things packed away we were invited inside for drink and biscuits ( thank you ), then the runners were off back to base, and again at prime chatty pace we were soon back.

Well done all and hope to see you next week for some leafleting

Run Happy

Rich