A great gathering of eight Goodgymmers showed up at the Phoenix for our group session. Our stalwart welcomers, Rachel and Beattie were there early, soon joined by long time Goodgymmer Richard and new regular Sheela, both getting into regular sessions this year.

We had an amazing three newcomers (is the Sky Ad working its magic?? At least one person saw it). Ben trekked all the way over from Colindale, arriving nice and early. James rocked up in good time, followed by Emma, who joined us mid-warm up.

Warmed up, and ice-broken - thanks to Beattie for the question about what we'd all been up to for the bank holiday weekend (general consensus: lots of walking!) - we jogged the short way over to Cherry Tree Wood. Inspired by Paul's absence, we had a quick exercise session with kick-squats and running in a circle. (I promised it was going to be lighter than one of Paul's attempts, but it turned out to be harder because everyone was so amazing!) Filip met us at the cafe - he's almost ready to earn his first t-shirt!

Then to the session. András, Roger and Joe set us to mulching the fruit trees. Ben took up shears, cutting the grass - Richard and I helped, using our hands. James and Emma grabbed shovels and jogged to the mulch pile near the gate, while Sheela and Beattie grabbed the wheelbarrows, to run them back and forth to the trees. Rachel and Filip helped Joe rip up the cardboard to lay over the cut grass, and a few took turns watering the cardboard and then the mulch.

As always, our amazing team effort covered twice as many trees as expected, so Rachel and Richard also had a go at sweeping the nearby paths, while James and Emma gave the mulch pile a bit of a tidy with the rakes. A great session very much valued by our hosts - András sent some before-and-after pics over as evidence of our hard work.

Shepherds Hill Gardens, Sunset, Samosas and a Ghost Story Deferred

Last night GoodGym Barnet headed back to Shepherds Hill Gardens, where we try to help Pat and the local friends group every six weeks or so. Their regular volunteers have become a little less active over time, so our extra hands really do make a difference.

We met at the Phoenix Cinema, where the pre-run chat somehow turned to ghosts. Most of us were firm non-believers, with a few cautious “you never knows…” George promised an excellent ghost story, but sadly we never quite got to hear it one for the next social.

We then ran the 2–3km to Shepherds Hill Gardens. The tube strike made the roads busier than usual, but we were rewarded with lighter skies and a beautiful sunset.

Pat had three jobs ready for us: litter picking and sweeping the top area, cutting back ivy from the path, and adding compost around a newly planted fern area.

After a good burst of work, Pat treated us to hot tea, excellent chocolate biscuits and vegan samosas a heroic hosting effort.

George also spotted and heard a goldcrest, one of Britain’s smallest birds and a lovely London wildlife bonus.

We ran back to the Phoenix a few minutes late, but with the gardens tidier, the path clearer, the ferns happier and one ghost story still mysteriously waiting to be told.

A perfect spring evening, a gentle glow in the trees, and a group of GoodGymers gathered outside the Phoenix Cinema ready to run, help out, and learn a thing or two about one of Barnet’s loveliest green spaces.

Before setting off, we did our usual introductions with a travel-themed twist: everyone shared their favourite country, or one they’d most like to visit. Japan came up twice, clearly a destination having a bit of a moment. Then it was time to head off at an easy jog.

Our first stop was Cherry Tree Wood for a proper warm-up. Circles on the grass, jump-ups, step-downs, high knees and a few efforts to get the heart rate rising before we pushed on towards Highgate Wood. Near the entrance, there was even a chance for a sharper burst uphill, with everyone free to take it at their own level. A proper workout, whether you fancied steady and sociable or a little blast of intensity.

Then into the woods themselves, looking especially beautiful at this time of year, with that fresh light-green glow that ancient woodland seems to do so well.

There we met Cindy the Park Ranger, who had a simple but very satisfying task lined up for us: removing a batch of stubborn stakes that had proved awkward to shift. For a GoodGym crew, this was just the sort of thing. Straightforward, useful, and oddly enjoyable. Less “pulling teeth” and more “extracting victory from the soil.”

With the stakes dealt with, Cindy treated us to a fascinating guided walk through the woods and the work being done there. We heard about plans to protect areas using “live fencing,” including holly laid and trained so it grows horizontally to form natural barriers. We learned about hornbeam, including how fallen growth can keep going in remarkable ways, and about the service tree, whose berries were once used in brewing. A tree with a pub connection is always going to get GoodGym’s attention.

We also got a glimpse into the quieter side of woodland life, with a hidden camera trained on a blue tit sitting faithfully on her eggs. From wildflower meadows to ancient tree craft to tiny birds getting on with family life, Cindy gave us a wonderful reminder that woodlands are never static. They are always changing, always being cared for, and always full of stories.

A huge thank you to Cindy for the warm welcome, the interesting tour, and the chance to help out in Highgate Wood.

After that, we headed back, and many of us rounded off the evening in the best possible way: pizza at the Phoenix.

Thanks to everyone who came along to run, learn, laugh, and do some good.

Another volunteer named Nick from the event, and I worked on filling the holes in the muddy pathway (for about an hour) caused by the rain with woodchip- levelling the path to make it easier to walk. I would have stayed longer but had to leave for another commitment. It was lovely to help out and wonderful to help them maintain the park. I hope this helps.