Big effort today for Hazel, Fanette, and Ben! 💪

Hils from Albermarle allotments needed 2 tonnes of top soil/compost shifting from the drop off location near the car park/main entrance to the community allotment site. This was no small task, not just given the amount and distance to cover, but also needing to lift it into the raised beds.

With various bags, several wheelbarrows, spades, and shovels plus David and Liz (?) as other volunteers from the site, we chipped away at the large bags of top soil.

As we approached half way, we had a break for tea, coffee ☕️, cake 🍰 and biscuits 🍪. The sugar boost and refreshment was much appreciated on a mild November day, and helped to spur us on with the task at hand.

Little by little, the piles got lower before we finally found the bottom of the bags and managed to wheel the remaining soil down to the community allotment site.

Top effort all round, and certainly a good arms, legs, and upper body workout with the shovelling and lifting. We're back on 6th December to help clear some of the pathways on the allotment site.

Juno and I were helping the set up and marshalling at Fletcher Moss parkrun event number 270. 290 runners and walkers completed the 5 km course.

We were at Old Bedians marshal point. Very wet and muddy. Well done to all who took part and thank you to all the volunteers!!

Welcome to Gary for his first GoodGym Manchester/Stockport session.

This evening, we were mural making as part of the Plastic Shed bus station mural. With most of the lids added by local children and visitors during the half term open shop, we were able to fill in some of the spaces left to add.

Our task was to fill in the river surface, with a slightly lighter blue than deeper water, but not too light... henceforth known as Goldilocks blue (although there were splashes of dark blue added in for good measure). Once lids were in place and Caitlin gave the all clear, we secured them using drills and screws, with some lids easier to secure than others.

As Lily Allen's new album played in the background, we got through all the boards required, including saving them from falling under the weight. The mandarin duck and well camouflaged dragonfly were particular highlights.

Very impressed with Gary's GoodGym tattoo and hope to see you all again soon either in Stockport or Manchester. The grand opening for the bus station mural is Saturday 8th November from 10am so get along if you're free.

Happy 1st Birthday GoodGym Manchester

This evening, we met up for a jog followed by exquisite pizza and beer at Sandbar on Grosvenor St.

A ~4.3 km route covering the city centre near Bridgewater Hall, Hulme, Manchester Science Park, the UoM, and Oxford Road before settling on a watering hole.

Special kudos to Pavel for his first running workout 💪 for a while and was a good chatty run and pub trip discussing Halloween 🎃, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, Glossop, hot pot, gardening, GoodGym, and mushroom growing.

We were well lit, with an umbrella 🌂 on hand for the Manchester rain. See you all soon for more GoodGym Manchester exploits.

Ben joined Dan and Gordon plus James and a student from UoM for their monthly Saturday tasks.

This week, we were at Kale Street to litterpick, clear up, trim the lavender, and plant lots of bulbs. Helped by new tools, loppers, electric trimmers, and purpose-built bulb planters, we were efficient in making the area look much more welcoming for locals to use the space.

Following that, we went along to Mancunian Way site to weed, litterpick, and trim some of the hawthorn/blackthorn branches, with the cuttings eventually going towards a dead hedge nearby.

Productive session and the next one is on 22nd November on the Scouts allotment plot.

Hazel and Ben went to help out at Fletcher Moss parkrun event number 269. 492 runners and walkers completed the 5 km course, with lots of puddles, mud, and slippery leaves providing a pleasant autumn 🍂 backdrop.

Hazel was marshal at Cheat's Corner to ensure the participants completed 2 laps of the top field, while Ben helped with some of the set up and carried out the First Timers Welcome/Briefing.

Lovely morning with Juno providing ample support 🐶