GoodGym Lambeth Run Report: The Great Tree Heist of 2026 🌲

Date: First group session of 2026
Mission: Christmas Tree Recycling on Clapham Common
Status: Absolutely smashed it! 💪

The Return of the Champions 🏆

What a way to kick off the new year! We were pining for our first session of 2026, and boy did it deliver. The gang assembled for an absolute classic - hunting down abandoned Christmas trees across Clapham and dragging them to their final resting place on the Common.

Special shoutouts to our prodigal runners:

• Andy made his triumphant return after more than 5 years away (we promise the trees haven’t changed that much!)
• Eric was back at it after his hiatus - clearly couldn’t stay away from the tree-mendous fun
• Louise crossed the river to rejoin us after over a year away from Lambeth sessions - we’re so glad she branched back out to visit! 🤗

The Dream Team Assemble 💪

Our fantastic regulars were there doing what they do best (spoiler: it’s pulling up trees, literally):

• Jo ✨
• Fi ✨
• Ben ✨
• Michael ✨

You lot are the root of everything we do! 😊

The Final Tally 📊

After racing around Clapham like festive tree-hunting squirrels, we managed to shift an absolutely fir-ocious 38.5 trees (yes, really - someone clearly couldn’t bear to part with half their tree) plus a few wreaths to boot! 🌲🎄

We’re not saying we’re heroes, but we definitely spruced up the neighborhood.

Same time next week? We’ll leaf you to think about it! 🍃

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Get fit. Do good. Make terrible tree puns. 🌳💚​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Thanks Jen for the run report title.

We started the run like it was the old days with names and a headcount just so Andy could get to know some more names and we could test how well people's brains were functioning tonight (with mixed results). Run team took a loop up to Wymering, walk team took the direct route and team 3 met us there.

Jen, Val, Andy and I undertook a classic GG task of moving mulch from a big pile via wheelbarrows to the flowerbed. Everyone else continued to clear the weeds from the pathway which we had started on last time we were there. Jo and Angela managed to win a battle with a bramble root and more wheelbarrows were filled to take around to the compost.

No-one could resist another look around the house, with the attic and basement the places to visit this time. Creepy stories and creepy dolls were the order of the day. Thanks Angela for the photos!

Next time we head up there we will be doing an inside task.... 👻

We wish Wymering Manor all the best for their open day at the weekend and look forward to helping out more soon.