Tonight's GoodGym York Group Run saw us returning to the wildflower meadow at Clarence Gardens to clear the flowers that we had previously sown. We started the night with a bonus litterpicking task in the surrounding area, before getting stuck into the main event with a bumper turnout for an autumn night. Imen had joined the litterpickers for her first ever GoodGym task before deciding to stay on and stick around for the group run. We also welcomed Georgina along for her first ever session. Give them both a big cheer!

Tonight we were finally able to presentJenna with the cape of Good Deeds a little bit later than we should have (so sorry!) but still gave her a big round of applause for competing her 400th task. What an incredible achievement. And we also said well done to Richard who had completed his first ever cross country run at the weekend. Quite remarkable for a man who has done most things imaginable running-wise!

It was then off to the task with Mitch leading a small walking contingent and Nikki backmarking the main group. We were joined at the task by Cara, Jan, James and taskowner Iain who got us underway with some very simple instructions. Basically rake up all of the arisings and shift them over to the skip by any means necessary. Before long there were tonne sacks, wheelbarrows and tarps being moved left, right and centre and the skip started to get full, although a fair chunk of the space was taken up by a buried Mitch! In fairness Mitch and Pete did a cracking job of stomping down the skip so we could continue to fit more in, clearly impressing taskowner Iain who was planning where we could start a new pile once the skip got full.

Before you knew it, it was time to put the tools down and pose for a group photo before this evenings fitness sesh which involved teams of three running in opposite directions, or completing some exercises before then having to meet up again around a coloured cone, where they were then rewarded with a rest or punished with even more exercises. The activity required a lot less explaining than i'd imagined and seemed to work despite some groans from everyone one they realised they all had to complete burpees at the end regarldess of which cone they were stood around.

All in all the gang of GGers shifted a huge load of the arisings, but there's still plenty more to do so we'll be back later in November to finish the job

Tonight we had a last minute change of task due to the original being cancelled. Luckily Rowntree Park came up trumps!

First we met, named and numbered off saying our favourite smell! Mitch then headed off with a walking group and Ed led out the runners with Laura back marking.

We were given a selection of jobs to do. Team path were charged with clearing and sweeping the steps and ramp. Team soil shifters moved soil from two big piles in the park to a planter behind the lodge and team shift stuff filled bags with, well, green stuff. It was a beautiful evening in the park and we were treated to an awesome full moon... the perfect setting for murder in the dark! This was tonight's themed fitness led by Jenna!

On that note, a huge shout out to wonderful Jenna ,who has now completed an incredible 400 tasks! And if that isn't enough goodness she also brought along some delicious cake! Thank you Jenna for everything you do.

A great turnout for the book sale task this month with some who had not been before and a few grizzled veterans of this task.

The library had mercifully cleared out the old stock so some books that had been hanging around for some time had gone to the big library in the sky. Or the one down below. The important thing is we had exciting new books to put out which should mean lots of extra income for the library and lots of happy readers.

Many hands made light work so we finished with time to spare and left everything neat and tidy. And we get to come back in a few weeks and do it all again for half term 😁

With the nights drawing in a whopping 29 GG Yorkies turned out to volunteer in their local community! We started off by welcoming newcomer Erin who was attending her first ever GoodGym session. We also gave a huge round of applause to one of our run leaders, Laura who tonight was completing her 500th(!) Good Deed. What an amazing achievement. Give them both a big cheer!

Tonight we were heading to Abbeyfield Care Home for the first ever time. Vicky set off a steady pace group whilst Ed led out the rest of the gang with Cara backmarking. We arrived at the task at the same time, but alas there was no one there to greet us. After a few laps of the grounds by Ed and Vicky we eventually encountered a member of staff who despite knowing we were coming, didn't seem quite prepared for us. Nevertheless we shared the one broom between us and after a fair bit of a delay got to work picking up weeds and leaves by hand, filling up a load of black sacks as we go.

The darker night had caught a few of us by surprise so the lack of head torches meant that we weren't always entirely sure if we were picking up the right things. But we did as much as we could in the brief amount of time we had and certainly managed to pull out a few weeds and sweep up a lot of leaves in the process.

Before too long it was time for the evening's fitness so we headed around to Little Hob Moor where Ed laid out a ring of cones for a game of tag with a twist. This time you would only be allowed to move using animal-inspired movements, including the taggers, so to start with we hopped around like Kangaroos whilst being chased by Nick, Vicky and Charlotte. After a few minutes of hopping we moved onto our finest crab impressions, with Charlotte once again proving she is the queen of niche exercises! The taggers then 'tagged out' to make way for Max, David and Laura who started as reluctant bear crawlers, before finally hopping around on one leg à la Flamingos. Every time someone was caught by a tagger they would step out of the circle and complete an exercise before being allowed back in, although as time progressed more people seemed happy to complete the exercise then spend anny more time hopping around on one leg!

We then headed back to the Priory Street Centre for some stretches and a wrap of what's happening in the coming weeks. We're still on the lookout for hands at the Yorkshire Marathon water station, so get yourselves signed up if you can!

Apologies for the slow start to tonight's session. We more than made up for it with the enthusiasm during the task and fitness!

When the first donor of clothes arrived Anna, our organiser knew this clothes swap was going to be a success. The lady had bags of quality clothes from some swanky brands. We all ooohed and aah-ed then got on with the job of checking for rips and stains, soring and putting out the items. Every new donor was invited to lay their offering at the alter of swaps - it literally was an alternative use of the Methodist church alter! There was a steady stream of swappers. But the pile of donations grew higher each time, despite everyone going away happy with a new heap of goodies. Many people wanted to know if there will be another one. Anna hopes to run it at the end of every couple of months.We hope so- Goodgym will be there!