It was all hands on deck as we teamed up with the lovely guys from the Arts Barge for the first time, but certainly not the last.

We arrived to a very comprehensive task list and soon began getting stuck in. The majority of the team began clearing debris from the landing and shifting the gangplank (not entirely sure if these are the correct nautical terms but they sound legit). Meanwhile the rest of the crew got on board with clearing the barge's deck and giving it a good sweep.

The most interesting task was snapped up by first mates Hannah and Leanne who were clearing rubbish (mostly loaves of bread) out of the water around the barge, using a basket attached to a rope and basically playing a life-size game of the claw-grabby things you get in seaside arcades. The basket wasn't going to cut the mustard with the floating sleeper and door which required a more novel approach involving floating it further down to some steps where we could just about reach into the water and rescue them

We managed to get a great deal of work done, much to the delight of the task owners, but there's still plenty more that needs to be done before the barge is ready to figuratively set sail again. So keep an eye on the listings for the arts barge mk.2

For Goodgym York, Sunday is never a day of rest (particularly in the midst of the January Challenge!) and the last day of our 8th birthday weekend away was no exception. Most of the weekend crew took a detour on the way home to help out the lovely folk at Langdale School in Chapel Stiles - which, despite rumours, had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that they'd installed a pizza oven since we last visited in January 2024...

Our task owners had once again prepared an epic list of things for us to do and Storm Éowyn had put in some extra effort to make sure that we didn't run out of tasks in the two hours that we were there.

We quickly split off into different groups to complete:

• Sandpit tidying

• Leaf clearing

• Soil barrowing (with comedy sized barrows - both too small and too big. 'Just right' was nowhere to be seen)

• Forest school debris clearing

• Dead hedging

• Deck scrubbing

• Polytunnel tidying and maintenance

• Weeding

• Something that Mitch and Neil were proud of completing which involved a big water tank and some pipes

• General tidying up in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn

While we got stuck in, I lost count of the number of people who declared that they "would have loved to gone to a school like this!" There was certainly no shortage of folk trying out the various dens that were dotted around the forest school.

Our final, very important job was to test out the pizza oven. Gavin and the rest of the school team did a sterling job of pumping out slices of freshly-made pizza while the group huddled around the pizza oven to warm their cold hands.

33 full tummies later, we were ready to tackle the journey home to rest up, and get our GGs washed and ready for our last group run of the January Challenge on Monday.

As part of GoodGym's mega weekend away in the Lakes, we all volunteered at Patterdale Village School. They needed a lot of work completed to make the school tidy for the pupils.

The initial task was actually getting there. There were multiple splinter groups where some people ran whilst some people (including myself) hiked. We loved the scenery of the Lake District so much we decidede to take a scenic route and get to the task half an hour late. I did not hear of other stories from the runners, but I assume they were more punctual!

After that initial hurdle, we all got stuck in. There were so many tasks to complete, including:

1. Clearing out a greenhouse of old dead vegetation and giving it a good clean.
2. Digging up large amounts of weed and soil around a climbing frame, and throwing the debris into a drainage ditch (lots of fun!)
3. Adding new meshing and wiring to the border fence (very proffessionally done!)
4. Cleaning out a bug hotel
5. Cleaning out a chicken coop
6. Lopping trees of various sizes. Some of the branches were massive and required 4 of us to move!
7. Clearing the car park of moss and debris.

Despite the fact there was so many of us (more volunteers than students), we were all busy and got to work.

See this mess I'm making, you need to clean it up - Rich

After 2 hours of solid graft, cake and a chin up competition (which Paul absolutely won!) we were left with a clean and tidy school and very happy staff. We definitely earned our trip to the pub after.

report courtesy of Matt Hobby

Let's face it, January is rubbish! The nights are long, the Christmas and New Year hangover has truly set in and spring still feels like the light at the end of a very long tunnel. So what better way to turn that frown upside down and spend a weekend with the good gymmers in the lake district.

And if you think you're not a fan of January, well... the weather gods are just as peeved. With Storm Eowyn sent to smite the north of England, the weekend started with a series of closed roads, fallen trees and landslides. But, undeterred, with the mountains calling and tasks to be completed, a pioneering team set off across the pennines early on Friday. Relaying messages as to the great peril that lay ahead, they provided safe passage for the goodgym pilgrims who followed later.

Home for the weekend was Glenridding YHA. This remote hostel, nestled amongst the old lead mine ruins of yesteryear, conjures up feelings of a dwarfish middle earth. And like Hobbits to the shire, the goodgymmers feasted on home made chillis as late arrivals continued bursting through the door to much laughter and joy. None less so than during the Goodgym Treasure hunt, derived by Abigail who sadly couldn't make it at the last minute. Making full use of the YHA, it was a good thing we had exclusive use of the building

Saturday dawned with some folks disappearing off to Penrith Parkrun as volunteers, Pacers and participants, whilst others remained in the mountains to watch the sun rise or go for a fell run. Snow levels at 650m and some remaining strong wind meant changing plans to accommodate the conditions. But with stunning views of Ullswater amongst the snow covered corries above, it was well worth it. Returning to the YHA from the buzz of parkrun and fell runs alike, a full breakfast was prepared and devoured by all. Cooked eggs, bacon, veggie and meat sausages, hash browns, mushrooms, beans, tomatoes - you know, the full works organised with the usual military goodgym precision.

Sated and ready for action the team descended upon Patterdale school. Such an idyllic place for little people to learn with wild gardens on the edge of the lake. Of course, even wild gardens can get too wild and the school team had a big list of tasks pruning the hedges, clearing the flower beds, tidying the field edges and prepping the dead wood hedgerow. What would have taken the school team weeks, if not months, was polished off in mere hours - they were so happy! A warm feeling, knowing that we'd made someone's life easier and brightened up a spot of the local community, meant a well deserved stop at the Ullswater Inn, before heading back to the YHA. ... and then, of course via the Travellers Rest. Well, we were travelling and fancied a rest. It would have been silly not to stop for another beer!

Finally returning back to the YHA to a smorgasboard of curry dishes that folks had prepared at home and brought along to share. There's a recurring theme here, have you noticed? Big spice, little spice and everything in between made for a super tasty supper followed by a game of pass the parcel. Now, you may think you know how to play pass the parcel... but you've never played Goodgym pass the parcel. Everyone brings a parcel, an old unwanted gift or something, and everyone takes home a parcel. Everyone is a winner! However, with some exchanges forced by the gamesmaster and others voluntarily engaged in, there's no telling whether you'll go home with Aunt Ethel's old stockings, or a golden ticket to Willy Wonker's chocolate factory. Nevertheless, Mitch seemed genuinely excited by his grabbing a copy of Cheryl Cole's biography - who gave that away!?!?

And Sunday dawned with another fantastic breakfast, consisting of more bangers than a second hand car show (leftovers making a perfect treat for James dog when he returns home). Task number 2 involved another school trip, this time to Chapel Stile in Langdale. Once again, the team set about helping to clear up the school grounds and build deadwood hedgerows. But this task had a special treat - fresh pizza cooked on the school's wood fired oven.

... and just as the weather took another turn, the team packed up and started heading back to York. Well fed, well rested and with a warm glow inside from having helped out some local communities. Maybe January isn't that bad after all!

The Juniors were not hanging about this morning! They skated past 10 Goodgym ice marshals to speed home. From the lead lad to the last little snowman, they all showed cheerful enthusiasm. No one cried this week, - and neither did any of the kids! Ha ha! Thanks for getting out of your warm beds to help out on the ice rink, GGs. We also spotted two dancing dogs on the ice and a gaggle of geese, maybe flying off to warmer climbs. There is something about ice that kids are drawn to. It's good to become a kid again. Just take it n 'ice and fr'eezy out there!

Of course Junior park Run is still on! What's a few inches of snow to intrepid juniors?! By hook or by crook or by sledge, Good Gymers braved the early morning snow to fulfill their promise. We even had a few extras who just couldn't wait to get out there! Best task EVER! After a wee wait for families to arrive, they were off! It was hard going on the slippery stuff but luckily some snow men, women and a snow snake lined the route to cheer them on. Not sure who was most excited- volunteers or runners? With the bribe of the ultimate hot chocolate, everyone completed the run with smiles and rosy cheeks, dodging snow balls across the finishing line! Well, Ggers and juniors are made of the 'white' stuff, after all!

Changing Lives are a brilliant charity who help support people experiencing homelessness or other challenges, so they can change their lives for the better.

Today they needed our help supporting someone with decorating their flat, as they were unable to do it themselves due to health issues. Using a paint pack from the council, and with the support of the Changing Lives staff who had everything prepped and ready, our job was to spruce up a very sad looking room into somewhere lovely (or lovelier anyway, they knew our skill level 🤣)

We arrived by bike and foot, and quickly divvied up the tasks and came up with a plan of action, while the paint was kindly poured into trays for us. Hannah and I took on the ceiling, with one always-in-the-way ladder and one not-even-slightly-attached roller on a long stick (which wibbled it's way off it's roller-holder about once a minute, much to Hannah's frustration), moving the carpet protecting rugs around as we went like a weird game of Tetris.

Leanne appointed herself bag lady, and quickly taped bin bags all around the edges of the room so that edging could begin. Meanwhile Michael started rolling the grey (which was actually a nice blue) wall paint, while Emma, Lucy and Max started edging, with roles switching as we went. Linda from Changing Lives joined us for a bit too with the edging.

In no time we were approaching the finish line, with Lucy perched like an eagle on the windowsill, Max and Michael performing the standard Tall Person role of reaching the high gaps, Hannah finishing the ceiling, and the rest of us furiously (but neatly) edging. And done! It may not have been perfect, but the room was left looking much more homely and comfortable than when we arrived, and the occupant was very happy.

We celebrated our success with a colossal and delicious lunch at the Old Greengrocer's. Lucy "Is duck and pancakes too decadent for lunch?" "No!" Before heading our separate ways in the sunshine.