Stars, sprints and shovels at Martin Primary’s Forest School

On a beautiful clear evening, with the stars out and the temperature just right for running, a magnificent seven GoodGymers set off from the Phoenix Cinema for the short 1km trip to Martin Primary School’s Forest School on Tristan Green.

Before we got moving, we squeezed in a quick warm-up with kick-ups and knee raises to get the heart rate up, then jogged through the backstreets. On the way, we even found a handy spot for a few sprints, because GoodGym never misses a chance to mix community work with a bit of fitness.

Once at the school, we got straight into the jobs that needed doing. The team helped clear and tidy the outdoor kitchen area, recovering pots and pans that had somehow spread themselves all over the forest school, and then turned to the heavier work of repairing the paths with fresh woodchip using wheelbarrows, rakes and shovels. We also tackled a rather sizeable hole, filling it in before it could cause any more trouble.

It was one of those classic GoodGym evenings that shows what the group is all about: collective energy, practical help, fresh air and exercise, all wrapped into one session. There’s something especially satisfying about getting outside on an evening like that, doing useful work alongside other people who’ve chosen to spend their time helping out locally rather than sitting indoors.

A special welcome back to Gavin joining us again for his second session, and great to have Subham there too, adding to the growing task force.

A lovely evening, a useful task, and another reminder that doing good together feels even better outdoors.

Dark Arts, Woodchip & New Faces 🌙🌲

Last night’s group run reminded us why GoodGym is such a brilliantly odd and rewarding thing to be part of.

We gathered in the welcoming glow of the Phoenix Cinema foyer, chatting and catching up while meeting a couple of new faces a warm welcome to Jack and Jamie who both dived straight into the spirit of the evening. Numbers were handed out and, in keeping with January tradition, we briefly checked in on how everyone’s New Year’s resolutions were going. The verdict? Not much to report but crucially, everyone had turned up, which already counts as a win.

A quick warm-up followed outside the cinema, making full use of the uphill gradient for kick-ups, crossovers and skips ... proof that you don’t need fancy equipment when you’ve got gravity on your side.

Subham kindly volunteered to back-mark… and within about two minutes found himself at the front of the group. To his credit, he noticed before anyone else did, which gave us all a good laugh!

We headed off towards St Martin’s Primary School, only to arrive to a scene straight out of a mystery novel: locked gates, no lights, and a very quiet school. Just as we were wondering whether we’d taken a wrong turn into a spy film, John appeared to open up and set us to work.

Tasks included improving paths around the forest school area particularly near the fire pit and outdoor kitchen with the added bonus that we managed to tackle some extra path work too. A bit of digging, some wheelbarrowing, and a lot of purposeful activity in near darkness: exactly the kind of thing that makes GoodGym feel refreshingly different from an indoor gym session.

Before long it was tools down, a steady run back and gentle stretch.

Running, digging, and volunteering in the dark on a cool January evening turns out to be just about perfect: short, sharp, effective exercise with real purpose. For Jack and Jamie and anyone else wondering whether to come back this is what we do. Different every week, always friendly, and always worth turning up for.

Same time next week?

Ever responsive and happy to help, we were asked by Martin Primary to run over and mulch a new path double time, as the school's winter fair is fast approaching. Although we're booked up solidly, we had a short notice cancellation that freed us up for some emergency TLC in the forest school.

Five of us set off promptly after our usual warm up by the side of the Phoenix. Given the holiday season's fast approach, we shared our favourite seasonal films - from Die Hard to Bad Santa, the classic It's a Wonderful Life and The Grinch that Stole Christmas, to some decidedly offbeat Russian film Beattie couldn't remember the name of (but post in the chat if you do). Great to see Gus joining us, looking eager for the exercise and a chance to sniff out foxes.

Then to the pathing - and boy, what a path! At least 50m of it (not that I measured) needed mulching, all along the side of their courts. We rocked up in short time - so early, John the groundskeeper wasn't even ready for us - and rolled up our metaphorical sleeves because it was pretty cold. John went looking for some extra hands to help us, but the school is so busy with music and yoga classes, no one emerged.

With two wheelie bins and two wheelbarrows, we had plenty of ferrying, shovelling and raking to do. Subham, Beattie and Paul shovelled and barrowed with the rest of us taking shifts, while Lucy and George mostly focused on raking. We started at the far end and slowly spread the mulch back toward the gate into the orchard, without thinking how far we'd get. We fillled a couple of deep holes with mulch as well, working by torchlight along the court's fence.

At ten to 8 we looked up and saw the gate in sight. Seeing we'd nearly reached the goal, we went for it, full speed (well, full care as well!) mulching, tipping and raking until, boom, almost bang on 8pm, we were done!

After a good cheer and a bit of a rest on the mulch pile, plus a thank you from John, that was it, and we jogged back up the High Road to the cinema for a warm down. A really satisfying session!

We're out every Tuesday until 16 December, so why not join us? Also, keep an eye out for our winter social on Tuesday 2 December. We'll be leafleting for the Citizens Advice Barnet, then gathering for food and a drink after.

As usual, we gathered at the Phoenix Cinema, our cosy launch point, and the pre-run chat was in full swing. Suddenly, in swept Subham, beaming and slightly out of breath, proudly declaring he’d just raced a stranger on the opposite pavement — an unknowing rival in his spontaneous street sprint. Naturally, Subham won (he even decided where the finish line was!).

We also welcomed Peter for his first ever GoodGym Barnet run! Having already played a heavy session of tennis earlier that day, he bravely laced up for a double workout — serious commitment!

Beattie arrived in high spirits too, buzzing with some great work news to share, adding to the positive start to the evening.

Just as we stepped outside for our warm-up, the skies decided to test our spirits with a light drizzle — a rare event for our usually lucky-weather crew. But by the time we set off through the backstreets behind the High Street, the rain had politely stopped.

Our destination: St Martin’s, where John was waiting with wheelbarrows, shovels, and rakes at the ready. This week’s mission — helping prepare the forest school paths by laying down fresh woodchip so the children can enjoy easier access to the woods.

Everyone got stuck in straight away, with Peter showing no sign of slowing down despite his tennis marathon earlier. Wheelbarrows rolled, woodchips flew, and laughter filled the air — another task well and truly smashed by Team Barnet.

After a satisfying session, we headed back through the quiet streets for a quick warm-down and a well-earned stretch.

Well done everyone — for running, working, and smiling through it all. Until next time… keep racing (and winning) against the rain!

Four Goodgymmers - plus Gus! - jogged their way to Martin Primary School to help spread mulch around their forest school. After a quick warm up outside the Phoenix Cinema, Paul and Gus took up back marking, while Anthony and Emily followed my lead along the High Road to the school.

After a brisk jog, we arrived to find tools and mulch waiting for us. We knew the drill and set upon the mulch pile, taking turns to rake, shovel. Then, with headtorches on, we wheeled the mulch down through the orchard to the 'parachute' area - a big tent made from an actual parachute! Then we refreshed the ground and gates.

We scraped up just about all the remaining mulch, but not to worry, the janitor tells us they're expecting a big delivery any day now, so we'll be back all through the coming months to keep those paths well-covered. A great task for a crisp evening!

Next week we're back to Shepherds Hill Gardens - it's a longer run and a great work out tidying paths, trimming hedges and raking and clearing. Looking forward to it!

Heat too much for barnet Gg