This week we returned to help Friend's of St James Gardens finish what we had previously started - clearing all the weeds from the paving around the monument.

It was a beautiful summers evening and 4 goodgymmers tackled a few hill reps, before joining the others to get on with the real hard work.

Working away with various implements, we filled wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow with moss, grass, dandelions and a whole host of others weeds, as well as clearing the site of litter. To top it off we were even treated to a visit from Goodgym retiree, Pauline, who was passing on her bike! This really spurred us on to make short work of the weeding and as you can clearly see from the after pic, we did a rather fabulous job!

As if that wasn't enough Sallyann then treated us to some chocolates and the traditional birthday oranges!

After our good gym park run and fuelled with breakfast, Steph kindly gave me a lift to my mission, it was on her way home but this was not the only part Steph played in my mission!

I arrived and after a fiddling with a safebox for a wee while I got into Ms M house. Ms M although was bed bound in her front room chatted to me about her garden and a green box of tools!

I plodded round to the back garden in search of said green box and did not find it but found a few rusty secateurs and some broken shovels (those I did not murder but there is time for that later!)

I looked at the enormity of the overgrown garden with baby saplings growing from all sorts of places, knowing my gloves would not cut it and called for back-up…Totally saving me day, super Steph came with a couple secateurs saving options!

They allowed me to tackle a little section of the patio to get the saplings or more like mini trees in some cases out and bring up the grass carpet to reveal the patio slabs.

I could see that Ms M loves water features and flamingos as clearing up I could hear some solar panelled whirring probably to move water that had totalled dried up in the heat of the last few weeks. I kept finding broken flamingo heads in the undergrowth (again not my murdering, still time for that!) but there were some complete flamingos still standing and as I looked further into the garden I could see that once Ms M garden would have been amazing with all her features some of them still making it look inviting in the secret overgrown garden kinda way.

I not only jumped at weird solar panel noises but at wonderful carers coming in to take care of Ms M surprising me in the secret garden. I went back into the house to meet them and to show Ms M progress on the garden with a few photos, I think she could see the difference.

It was hot day and before I knew it my time was up and I only tackled, maybe not even a tenth of what was needed. I would love to come back and work through the rest, maybe even get a team of us to renew this secret garden!

So here is my confession… in my zeal to tidy the last of the patio weeds up, I did break the garden brush so still earning my title ‘brush murder’… I have been sooo good lately but have to admit this recent act but in my defence the brush handle was rusting!

Anyway I returned the tools I had not broken to Steph (without her this mission would not have been possible), had to leave a black bag of rubbish in the backyard and a green bin full of saplings, carpet of grass and weed debris!

I ran a few miles home struggling in the heat but thinking what could be discovered the next bit of the secret garden!

On Monday evening, 9 goodgymers made their way back to the Urban Green Up site with Elaine. Heetu and Leo ran in super quick time to meet many of us at the task.

After a clear demonstration from Elaine and Heetu on what was Himalayan Balsam and Rosebay Willowherb, we split into two groups and set about to clear the two sides of the site. However, alas, even more nettles and thistles had grown back since our last visit and so many of us tackled these prickly weeds too.

When Bekah sounded the 7 minute call to the end of the task, we all rushed to sort the clean up with some bin bags in hand. Looking back across at the site, we could all see an impressive amount of these invasive and rapidly growing weeds had been cleared, but we knew that a return again would be much needed to sort the middle section.

As we most often work on the other side of the site, it was a surprise (well perhaps just for me) to realise the lovely view of the Liverpool skyline including the cathedral in the background.

There were puns-a-plenty for this week's report from Chris (who provides this week's report title), Bekah, Sallyann, and Lucien but you'll have to wait for the next report on our return for them to be revealed.

On a rainy Friday evening, the Everyman Theatre on Hope Street was filled with warmth and good vibes for The Spring Big Gig with the Choir with No Name and Friends! It was a fantastic night, and the GoodGym Liverpool crew were right there in the thick of it, helping to make it all happen.

Huge thanks to Liam, Bekah, Lucien & Siân for their awesome work setting up and running the T-shirt and bags stall, as well as collecting donations. They were busy bees before the gig and during the interval, helping to raise some much-needed funds for the Choir with No Name. It was brilliant to see such a great turnout for the event, and everyone's efforts certainly paid off!

The Choir with No Name were, as always, absolutely incredible and had everyone buzzing. They were joined in the first half by the wonderful Rek41 Choir from the Wirral, and then by the super talented artist Zoe West from Newcastle in the second half. What a line-up! Everyone had an amazing time, and there was a real buzz in the air. We also heard lots of people giving special thanks to Ema and saying how much they missed her – clearly, she's still very much in everyone's hearts!

It was a truly memorable evening filled with fantastic music and community spirit. Events like these really highlight the power of coming together, and GoodGym was proud to be a part of it. Well done to everyone involved!

What a day!

4 goodgymmers from Liverpool made their way under the tunnel, across the border and through the valleys to beautiful Barmouth, ready for the Barmouth 10k.

When Sally Ann first floated the idea of running this race together on her birthday, superwoman Heetu signed up without hesitation. Bekah - who had only recently got comfortable with a 5k - took some convincing, but Sallyann was so adamant Bekah could do it that she started to believe it. After a brief consideration, Liam reckoned he'd give it a go. And so a plan was formed.

We headed to Barmouth the night before, to carb up and ensure we were well rested for the 11am start time. The British weather was typically erratic, with blaring sunshine, coastal winds, and ferocious rain in the run up to the race. Sadly due to injury Sally Ann was unable to run the race, but being the selfless and inspiring supporter that she is, she took to the role of chief cheerleader with gusto and dedicated herself to motivating and celebrating the three runners. Nobody's training plan had quite panned out as expected, and there was some trepidation as we headed towards the start line, confident only that we should position ourselves near the back! The race started with sunshine breaking through the clouds and a good sea breeze. The route is up a short incline, down and over the Barmouth bridge, then along a track following the estuary, before a turning point at 5k to head back.

Around half way through the run, a light drizzle started. Then it rained. Then it poured. At one point the rain was hammering down, but the runners weren't to be deterred. By far one of the most challenging parts of the run is the steep "hill of doom" at 9.5k coming off the bridge. Sally Ann positioned herself just before the final corner, after the hill, and reported three massive smiles as she cheered us on the final straight.

We finished absolutely drenched but euphoric at the achievement. Heetu - an excellent runner, though she'll never admit it - had thoroughly enjoyed the scenery, managing to look up, take it all in and attempt to run alongside the train she was delighted to spot. Liam, a solid runner who jumps into these things with little prep and always manages to pull them off, made excellent time and managed to navigate the rain, mud and slippery bridge like a pro. Bekah was absolutely delighted to complete her first 10k without stopping; having gone from being unable to run a 5k without intermittent walking, completing 10k was a huge achievement. Sally Ann was overcome with pride for everyone achieving their goals, and spirits soared as we met with medals and lovely teal 10k t-shirts at the finish line.

The team had surprised Sally Ann with cards, cake and lovely gifts that morning, and we had a champagne toast before a lovely dinner showcasing the best of Welsh local cuisine. We each left feeling thoroughly rejuvenated from a wonderful weekend celebrating hard work, dedication, support and friendship. Well done guys, huge round of applause to each of you.

Despite a weather forecast suggesting we would have a wet task 16 Goodgymers met under dry skies with Friends of St James Gardens.

Our task was to clear the area around Huskissons monument. it's a large paved area that had become a growing space for a large amount of weeds in between the slabs.

We welcomed Abi who is from Climate Coalition who came to join in and find out more about Goodgym Liverpool for Great Green Week.

It was such a lovely atmosphere with so many people working together. Plenty of opportunities to chat as we worked which is always a plus (in this report writers opinion). Michael from Friends Of St James Park also kept us entertained with his vast collection of jokes.

One of the great things about our tasks is that you see such great results in just an hour. Many hands really do make light work. The difference between the start and finish surprised us all. We still have a bit to finish so will be back next week to finish the task.