Saturday evening sunshine meant there was no better place to be than getting stuck into some GoodGym gardening!

Tonight’s mission was weeding and removing black plastic — a satisfying combination of pulling, clearing and uncovering what had been hiding underneath. The weeds didn’t stand a chance as we worked our way through the area, while the stubborn plastic put up a bit more of a fight!

With plenty of sunshine, teamwork and fresh air, we soon had the area looking much tidier. Who needs Saturday night fever when you’ve got Saturday night weeding fever? 🌱💪

We are becoming regulars here and its always a nice task at the bowls club. always assured of a friendly welcome and thanks galore. With 5 of us hot footing from the clothes swap we were joined by Ben and Ellie. With Pete on barrow duties the other 6 took up the shovels and soon made short work down the side of the access rd. No cake but the home made tea loaf was delicious....

Here we are again on a Friday night at the Bowlz club Here is a summary of the workers

Laura is tired she need to be fired

Then we have Jane, back here again

James is the man, we’re all such a fan

Rebecca is here, she has no fear

Vicky is here for the cake, she’s such a fake

Then there’s Leanne. If anyone can, she can

And finally there is Nick, with such a big heart

see photos for the action

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!

Malcolm gave us clear instructions to shovel out all the grit down to the blue membrane, along two parking bays, where a new path will be lain. The three of us got cracking! Luckily the ground was not too compacted and we could heave it into barrows. Wet soil and gravel made for some heavy loads that were to be piled up, a way off, down the slope. This would be recycled later on the project. This was a thorough work out for quads, glutes, core and upper body! Who needs an expensive gym?! As we began to peak the blue plastic sheeting, we were encouraged that we could complete the task, which we did! All that was left to do was to neaten up the edges and then consume tea and cake in the club house! The club could not have been more grateful to Goodgym. Huge thanks to Andrea and Hannah for showing true Northern Female Grit to get this worthwhile task done! PS The stone walling of a previous task looks champion too!

On a freezing Saturday, 9 GoodGymers continued their weekend of good deeding. We went back to the York Railway Bowls and Social Club and helped with their ongoing project to maintain their raised beds. We were tasked with moving large bits of brick and mortar from a levelled site and used them to fill in a gap underneath a fence. That way we could stop rubbish being shoved onto the plants.

We got to work with lifting, digging and moving. Some people approached it like a puzzle, where each piece was painstakingly chosen and slotted correctly...some of us roughly shoved bricks in and called it a day. Regardless after 45 minutes of hard graft, and plenty of innuendo's which I shan't repeat here, we were able to seal up most of the gap in the fence.

We were treated afterwards to tea and cake...now that is great service!!