Goodgym Liverpool has long supported the Friends of Everton Park in maintaining the beautiful park and supporting Everton Community Garden, which grows food and encourages the local community to learn about and grow plants, fruit and vegetables. Task leader John very kindly invited us to Groundworks Art Exhibition which took place in the garden, and was produced by one of their gardeners who is an art student at the University of Liverpool.

Several members were able to make what turned out to be a beautiful evening. There were 5 artists and plenty of exhibitions, including a heart warming tribute to an artist's Grandmother. The gardens generously provided a BBQ and drinks, and Dike even got to make his own pot on a home made pottery wheel! It was super inspiring to hear the motivation and commitment of the students, and we admired the wide range of plants and vegetables available for the local community to take home.

It was a lovely evening of sun, chat and great company. Many thanks to the FoEP for including us in this fabulous exhibition, and a round of applause to the students for their hard work and fabulous exhibits.

On this beautiful Monday evening, we headed back to Everton Park to help out Friends of Everton tackle the unwanted brambles and trees.

Armed with clippers and Saws we split into two teams to tackle two key areas of the park. It was great to welcome newbie Jessica - looking forward to see you at another task soon!

One area of the park required us to clear the brambles from the orchard, so the fruit trees could thrive. The other, to clear the trees so the Love Everton sign was visible for all!

The difference was astounding - excellent work team! However, we didn't quite get to the bottom of it, so we will be back soon!

Rather unexpectedly there was a bit of an incident when a Goodgym member's belongings had gone missing. Fortunately quick thinking and commendable reactions rectified the situation, and ultimately no damage was done. But one takeaway was the support of the whole Goodgym team, who pulled together to respond and support each other. It really demonstrated the adaptability and team-spirit of the group, and was lovely to see how well GG members look after each other.

Firstly this gorgeous title was designed by our amazing alliteration adept Amina. Secondly the title sums up the whole morning but for those not there lets provide some more context for you. Amina, Steph, Bekah, Dike, Aphra , Jo and Sian all ran our local parkrun which is Princes parkrun. Lucien supported the group - its always lovely to see a familiar face on the two and a half laps. After the run, the group photo and some chat Steph and Amina headed off whilst the others continued the royal theme walking down Windsor Street to local community cafe Squash. Sallyann (me) turned up in time for breakfast ( convenient) having set off at dawn from an overnight camp cycling along a canal with ducklings and herons. Squash breakfast offered a lot of exciting options and we feasted on veggie breakfasts, scrambled egg on homemade foccaccia and yes you guessed it potato cakes. Such a lovely start to a Saturday activity, good company, lovely food and lots of chat. Stickers were placed on our loyalty cards and who knows what categories will have been reached today.... next parkrun is back to the usual rythm of third saturday in the month and we will be going to Rhubarb on Lark Lane afterwards.

On a mild Monday, March night, an intrepid team tackled a task that neatly showcased (or suitcased 😉) the dynamic "Living Life on the Edge" (Hill) spirit of Goodgym volunteering...

A group of seven volunteers assembled at the junction of Earle Road and Tunnel Road, where there is a small and beautiful corner park. It is the home of the Edge Hill suitcases, an art installation consisting of pieces of luggage cast in steel on a Victorian hand trolley, created in 2013.

Local resident and Litter Clear-Volunteer (LCV) leader, Vicky, briefed our group on the sprucing-up jobs that needed our attention and efforts.

Emmaand Clara attended to the flower bed corner: identifying and removing weeds to allow the buddleia (butterfly bush) and other plants to grow unheeded. Dan, Sallyann and Liam led the clearing of one of the two circular flowerbeds. Faced with a few stubborn dandelions, Sallyann deftly demonstrated the necessary technique to apply the "twister" (also known as a claw), passing on one of Vicky's many hortiucltural tips and tricks that guided our endeavours. The final pairing of Dike and Bekah set to sharpening up the path edges, with notable speed and strength.

Whilst busy weeding, clearing and neatening, two passer-by cyclists stopped to find out how they might get involved, a family walking through thanked us, and a locally-based driving instructor came over and offered everybody a bottle of water, as a gesture of support and appreciation.

Particular praise to Dike who set those borders straight, before heading off to work and Emma who joined the task following on from a workout at the gym (the actual gym!).

By the end of the session, the park was looking like it had just come out of the barbers - all tidy and slick. However, further styling still needed in other areas of the park, which Vicky will strive onwards keeping shipshape. Vicky is part of LCV, which is a campaign aimed at turning untidy greens into welcoming community spaces.

Finishing up, our group stowed away all the tools and looked ahead to the Goodgym Liverpool 7th birthday party (on Thursday 26th!). Vicky revealed how each of the suitcases in the sculpture contains artwork produced by pupils at local primary schools and residents of a sheltered accommodation, for future generations of residents to enjoy when they will will be opened again one day! The inspiration for the sculpture came from Edge Hill’s rich railway heritage: the first passenger railway station in the world (dating from 1830!)

With the Goodgym gardening gusto this evening, the park space now smartly sets off this proud tribute to Edge Hill’s pioneering transport history and more recent creative communities 😀