on our first head torchless run of the year, we headed to Holgate Allotments.

We were met by Paul and tasked with breaking up an already flattened shed and carrying it to where it will be collected.

By using a range of techniques, including sawing and jumping, half the group completed the task, whilst the other half cut back brambles.

By the end the plot was in slightly better shape so hopefully it can now be let.

We then finished with a game of peg pinching with the prize of re usable cable ties. The enthusiasm for both the game and the ties varied but overall another good group run out.

Shout out to Jenna for the delicious baking back at base too!

As run leader for the first time in a while, Leanne finally realised her ambition of getting everyone to name and number off and name their favourite number - tenuously linked to Paul Kelly finally getting to wear the cape for his 400th good deed... (which is a big number). Though initially as chaotic as it was designed to be - the team rose to the challenge and quickly got into the swing of things. Ben's imaginary number and Paul Kelly's π even sparked some maths chat on the run out.

Tonight's Goodgym adventures had the Yorkie crew heading out to Hull Road Park to help out with some (flower) bed shuffling. The route there included multiple traffic light stops which meant that the age old GG York tradition of traffic light selfies could be reinstated (A tradition now so old that barely anyone remembered it!)

Right next to our meeting point, there was an upended bin. Where some of the group saw it as a fun hurdle, others treated it as a bonus task and immediately put it back in its rightful place, clearing the way for those who were less confident on the hurdles.

We had a quick briefing from our task owner, Kristina, who split us into two groups:

💥Team destruction got the more familiar task of completely and indiscriminately clearing one of the overgrown flowerbeds in preparation for some transPLANTing later on in the task.

🌱Team finesse had the more challenging job of being careful about what they dug up from some raised beds, ensuring that specific plants remained in tact so that they could be replanted.

💪 There was some bonus carrying heavy bags of soil, which Vicky allocated to anyone who looked like they were getting a bit cold part way through the task.

At the 5 minute call, it was all hands on deck to get everything that we'd dug up replanted in Team Destruction's freshly cleared beds.

We finished up with a quick musical 'follow the leader' fitness session. About half of the group claimed to have no idea what was going on... Curiously, it did seem to be the same ten people who insisted they were all needed to dig 'one last hole' when the call to join the fitness session was made... make of that what you will. At the very least, it warmed everyone up a bit in preparation for the run back to base where we could all bask in the even warmer glow of another evening of doing good.

It was a tale of two tasks tonight, but also a tale of 2 races as we celebrated the weekends activities, with some runners taking on the High Cup Nick Fell Race and another group tackling the brutal winds at the Snake Lane 10miler. Well done to everyone who took part, especially Amy who scored a new PB 🥳

We numbered off by naming our alternative career choices and it's pretty safe to say we're all eagerly anticipating the release of Rich's debut pop album with Paul Kelly on guitar and Leanne as a backing dancer the live shows! 🎤

We then split off into two groups with Vicky's heading to Holgate Community Garden and Ed's going to the King's Path.

At Holgate Community Garden the majority of the team got stuck into some weeding of the flower beds whilst a few others were tackling compost bins.

After a successful session the group got into pairs for a fitness session which involved one person running up a hill whilst the other completed some exercise, swapping over each time.

Over at the King's Path the group was tasked with digging up some unwanted trees from round the corner and then transported then over to the King's Path area to be replanted Cue an awful lot of innuendo involving holes and wood!

The task was satisfyingly completed on time, and we're all eager to see how the trees get on in their new homes.

The group then headed back to CVS in an indian-file skipping line (who knew how knackering it would be to skip for that long!) before then switching it up to sprints, with Matt in particular exhibiting his speediness to give us all some extra motivation

The two groups then met back up at CVS for some stretches and some lovely lemon cake courtesy of Pete's mummy! 🍰

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.