Four GoodGymers joined the Friends of John Innes Park this morning for their monthly gardening session. With recent rain taking care of the watering, we focused on lavender trimming, alkanet removal - and the highly scientific process of whacking dried poppy heads to help next year's flowers spread their seed.

We'll be back next month for a concerted attack on the bamboo. Until then, we’ll be binge-watching giant panda documentaries as tactical research…

Two GoodGymmers helped brush up history at the Merton Priory Chapter House, helping prepare a community art exhibition inspired by the nearby River Wandle. After tackling at least a year's worth of dust with some determined vacuuming, we laid out refreshments for visitors and then got to enjoy the fruits of our labour - including checking out the beautiful, naturally dyed embroidery contributed by our very own Goodgymmer Jade. Artfully done!

Tonight the team returned to Morley Park to give the Friends group a hand with some serious path reclamation.

Armed with spades and loppers, we tackled a large section where dirt and overgrowth had narrowed the walkway. The rock-hard ground, after a dry summer, had turned digging into a proper full-body workout, including branch-busting and pruning back overhanging trees and bushes.

By the end, we had cleared heaps of soil and debris, fully restoring a wide stretch of path for local park-goers. Who needs a gym membership when there's jobs like this to do? Well done everyone - it's great to be back in action!

Following a swift briefing safely tucked away out of earshot from the main stage, the team set off to support Full Cycle with their community bike ride. The route meandered through the quiet backstreets of Mitcham before entering the greenery of Morden Hall Park, looping back through Ravensbury Park, and taking in the scenic views along the River Wandle.

The group kept a relaxed, enjoyable pace, offering participants a chance to explore a local loop route that was brand new to some riders. It was brilliant to assist with a fresh initiative in Merton, and hopefully this inaugural ride paves the way for many more to come.

With a decent turnout for the kids' event and a handful of adults lacing up to join in in the action, too. Our marshalling skills were put to the test as we identified the participants started both events together. Fortunately, this wasn't our first rodeoand directing the flow of runners and cheering everyone on kept the course safe and clear.

Before we knew it, both the kids' and adults' events were wrapped up and we made quick work of the pack-down, hauling all the equipment back to base in record time, and capped off the mission with a classic GoodGym photo finish. Thanks to the Morden Parkrun team for having us and well done to all involved.

It was great to see so many of the team supporting on our stand collecting trainers for Jog-On and helping our friends at Full Cycle Community Bike Project and Merton Cycling Campaign with an action-packed Big Sports Day!

Our mission:

• Spreading the word - chatting with local residents about all things GoodGym, cycling, and active community projects.

• Trainer recycling - collecting pre-loved shoes for JogOn and directing people to do the same with old footwear to keep it out of landfill and get them re-used or recycled.

It was a busy day with various volunteers stopping by to help and take part. With a steady stream of participants at 'trainer-pong' and some surprising competitors, it was a fantastic showcase of collaboration and a chance to show ways to combine fitness with doing good.

Some of the team helped with other jobs, supporting with bike safety checks and promoting plans for creating a cycling hub in Merton, hoping for backing from local councillors and Merton Council for an accessible, community-driven bike hub to promote active travel, reduce carbon emissions, and expand low-cost transport options across the borough.

Well done everyone and a big shoutout to those who stayed on or joined us in the afternoon when we needed a boost later in the day!