I have to admit, this Summer still has plenty to give. It's already been a wonderful summer, at least if you don't have to worry about crop yields and test wickets. Even at 10 am this morning it was sweltering, this mainly due I think to the total lack of wind.

Undeterred, three GoodGymmers arrived fully committed to the cause. Aaron, Cosmo and Meyrick gathered together and met our contact with the regular Friends of Sydney Gardens crowd and this time we were back on sand duty.

You see, there is a quite fantastic play area for the kids, but the sand keeps disappearing, probably being redistributed by playful hands and carried away on uncaring shoes. Inevitably, this sand needs replenishing, and that is where we came in.

This is one of those situations where the heavier the substance that needs moving is further away it is stored. So in the tiny hour we had, much of that time is spent moving the sand, in wheelbarrows, most of the way across the park. I suggested to our leader there, that if the sand could be delivered to a location closer to the play area, we could probably do the whole thing in an hour, as it was we probably managed 15%. It was a sic work out though, we were all wiped out by the end.

Once again it was a privilege to marshal for the junior parkrun at Odd Down in Bath. Handing out high fives to the young runners who pounded the cycle circuit full of enthusiasm, determination and pride.

The 2k route is quite a challenge to small legs but this lot aren’t quitters. Neither was GoodGym Bath’s Tanya who not only made her way up the hill to lend a hand but then headed into town for a yoga session. Exhausting.

83 children took part this week - many of them with parents in tow. I suspect there will be even more next month when the holidays are over.

We’re back at Odd Down Sports Ground in October - GoodGym has four spaces for marshals. Why not join us?

Still continuing to be a wonderful summer, strawberries might differ in that opinion though, but it's warm and sunny still, was it was on Tuesday evening at St John's Court. Four GoodGymmers assembled to help the guys at this retirement/care home with whatever we can lend our hand to. Tanya Tanya, Emily Emily, Kam Kam and Meyrick Meyrick arrived promptly and were tasked with improving the garden beds at the main entrance.

We made ridiculously quick work of this, even by our standards, and pretty soon all the weeds were cleared and the lovely planters were re-planted with new flowers. We even named them Huey, Duey and Luey and Andy, Pandy and Sandy - may they live long and prosper.

All done, we all head of to watch the Lionesses win their game against Italy on their way to the final. What a great time to be alive!

The regular volunteers at Alice Park Community garden were pleased to welcome back 4 GoodGymmers on Sunday... Meyrick did a great job raising a water butt to allow water flow, Max worked hard shovelling compost while David got chopping to process fallen tree branches. Emily and David then had a mindfulness-like task of stripping leaves from the branches - we were left with a wheelbarrow full of compostable leaves and several ladybirds were rescued in the process :)

To quote Ruth, we achieved ‘allot’ in an hour helping tidy Newbridge Primary School’s allotment. It needed a whole allota love indeed; the small beds, compost bins and surrounding area had been left for the bindweed to cover and choke everything in its wake. Surprisingly some hardy rhubarb and strawberry plants had continued to grow, fighting for space amidst it all.
Ruth, Tanya, Cosmo and Kate set to the task at hand with lots of energy, focusing initially on one bed, removing all the weeds and bindweed that got in their way. Once this was achieved and it was time to add some fresh new plants! Chives, Rosemary and Basil were added to the edges and no doubt the children will be greeted with the lovely fragrance as they walk by. Flowers were also added for a bit of colour. It was an hour well spent, and we’ve had a thank you from the headmaster for our contribution (true story). Good work all, and hopefully will be invited back to help finish the job.

Once again it was a privilege to marshal at the weekly junior parkrun that takes place at Odd Down cycle circuit in Bath.

Dozens of children aged between 4 and 14 made their way round the 2k course often accompanied by their parents to make it a whole family affair.

They went round with determination etched on their faces and you knew the pride they would feel at the finish.

Our task was to cheer them on and it was great to see the young runners put on an extra spurt as we encouraged them. This time, instead of a giant foam hand giving out high fives, I was in charge of a cow bell. I hope the neighbours didn’t object at the noise.

It’s good to be part of something that is of such benefit to children’s welfare. The junior parkrun Health and Wellbeing survey in 2024 found that three in four children feel happier after taking part in a junior parkrun. It’s not just about happiness – 65% of children said they feel proud of themselves and 57% feel more confident.

GoodGymer Tanya should also be feeling proud after making her way up the hill to the task and running back down afterwards.