Tonight's bumper turnout came with its own challenges as Ed turned from run leader to shepherd in order to keep things going as smoothly as you've come to expect from Monday night group run. With newcomer Nathan yet to appear we were stuck celebrating Chris's brunch at the weekend, before Charlotte saved the day with something actually worth applauding having climbed a particularly difficult climb! But just in the nick of time Nathan arrived and received a warm welcome, before we set off. Give him a big cheer 🎉

Laura set off first with a walking group, before Ed led out the run with Amy backmarking. After a short run out we met taskowner Maeve on New Walk and split the group into 2 with Pete leading the breakaway team to Millennium Fields (more from him later).

At New Walk the team got to work, armed with scythes and spades, removing the docks to make way for less invasive species. James S, Katy, Martin and Kit made light work of the big clump of docks with some epic scything, whilst the rest of the team got stuck in digging up the roots and getting them into sacks ready to be moved down to Millennium fields to meet the others later on.

We picked up a few extra bodies as Pete's crew completed their job, which made for a mad flurry of activity towards the end before we started the short walk down to meet the other group. This is what they had been up to...

After dropping the scythers and dandelion pullers off a group of 10 were led by Pete to Millennium Fields, a place of many a task. After finding the hidden stash of tools it was not hard to find the big pile of woodchip. Getting stuck in we soon realised that one barrow was not enough and while some managed to cup some in their hands Charlotte did a quick dash to her allotment for an extra spade and a very big drag bag. That allowed us to very quickly shovel, rake and stamp the path until the pile had miraculous disappeared. Nice to see Holly return after joining us for her first task in Jan and proceedings were scrutinised throughout by the part carbon fibre, part hero that is Vicky. Soon after we were joined by Ed's crew for fitness fun.

Fitness tonight involved trying to keep a "pizza" on your hand whilst running around and being chased. All perfectly normal stuff and not in the least bit confusing for onlookers from Millennium bridge!

Soph and I went on a fantastic walk over the weekend visiting many of the York Open Studios and while we were there we got chatting to one of the artists. Now, as devoted members of the (cult) of GoodGym, we managed to convince said artist to come on down to the Fulford Hall Community Coffee Morning and check out what we GoodGymers do... Originally the plan was going to be for both Soph and I to greet her and we'd all have a super straightforward morning but, as it turns out, all that art must have inspired Soph, because early this morning I got a call that she and her bike were completely covered in paint! Cue, paint everywhere, Jackson Pollock style! Needless to say, she wasn't able to make it to the Hall. In any case, we're hoping the new (potential) member, does sign-up as she was straight in (in classic GoodGym style) helping with coffees and teas. We think she'll do great considering the tale of this morning's fiasco wasn't enough to scare her off and she still stuck around to help me out for which I am incredibly grateful! P.S: Everyone pray that Soph's bike makes a full recovery after being used as a canvas...

5 wonderful goodgymers met up with a couple of Treemendous folk to tend the Tiny Forest. What a wonderful pile of woodchip awaited us at the Tiny Forest. The new and the old piles of wood chip were speedily despatched around the trees and along the circumference until there was none left. Primroses & horse chestnut were planted. Lucy planted up the pond earlier in the week. The sun shone all morning. Although the "lashings of ginger beer" were nowhere to be found, it was soon time for coffee & cake & chat & appreciation of the bug hotel inhabitants. Team Woodchip were tremendous making a huge impact. Lovely photos thanks to Nikki & Babs.

At the edge of a well-worn bowling green,

A team of willing volunteers were seen

Tools in hand, no fuss, no show—

Just GoodGym folk and weeds to go.

Gravel deep, dandelions bold,

Stories swapped as the soil unrolled.

A border cleared, a pathway found,

Order teased from stubborn ground.

Then chairs pulled close, the kettle’s call,

A kind reward that pleased us all—

Tea in cups, lovely weather

And the best Victoria sponge ever

After tea we wanted something stronger

So off yo the pub to stay a bit longer

Can't beat Friday night at the fox

A goodgym favourite ... but tonight it was cold so we just stayed for one!

Friday fun club assembled at Rowntree Park to help Stuart with a few tasks on his list. The main task was moving some more (and quite large) sedge plants and replanting them near the edge of the pond alongside those previously relocated by GG on an earlier task.
Elle and Jenna were tasked with moving some logs across to the store whilst myself and Lyndsey moved some empty plant pots in the garden behind the café (and rehomed a frog in the process).

Once the pots had been successfully moved we joined the sedge team and finished off the last couple of holes and helped get the largest sedge plant dug in.

Stuart has more tasks for us to do so we may be back again next Friday!

Lots of keen residents turned out for our monthly games session at Hartrigg Oaks - it was lovely to see everyone again! We started out with our favourite test of balance and hand-eye coordination - the giant marble run. Then we had a lively bowling match, bringing back good memories of past victories for some of the players. Finally, we gave our brains a workout as well as our bodies, trying to keep the giant balloon aloft while naming as many animals as we could think of!