A perfect autumn afternoon set the stage for a Halloween/Samhain celebration! Even though Kirsten couldn’t join us due to illness, the rest of us—George, Theo, and myself—gathered in the heart of Tarling Road Community Garden, ready for a afternoon of festivities.

Just a couple of days earlier, we had worked on the garden paths, so it felt rewarding to see the space being enjoyed by others in the community. We were welcomed by Leo and some of the garden’s trustees, who had brought out their creative flair with spooky webs, coloring activities, and decorations, which added a festive touch to the garden’s late autumn atmosphere.

As we gathered around the open fire, a generous pot of spicy pumpkin soup was ladled out, warming us from the inside out as the cool November air set in. The fire crackled and flickered, adding to the magic of the evening.

The highlight of the gathering was a ceremony to welcome in the New Year. Each of us took a leaf and wrote down a single word symbolizing a feeling we wanted to release or leave behind. With a touch of lavender, we threw our leaves into the flames, watching them burn away while we sang together, voices blending into the night.

The atmosphere was fun and relaxed, and the little ceremony gave us a chance to reflect and reset in good company. It was an afternoon well spent—just us, the garden, and the warm glow of community.

GoodGym Group Run Report: Helping the Allotment for East Finchley Food Bank

Last evening, our GoodGym team gathered at the historic Phoenix Cinema for a group run with a purpose—this time, to lend a hand at the allotment run by Finchley charities in support of the East Finchley Food Bank. As we assembled, conversation quickly turned to our favorite books and current reads, sparking lively discussions and giving us plenty to chat about during our run along Finchley High Street. It was a great way to discover new titles and connect with each other over shared interests.

GoodGym is all about inclusivity, so our run catered to different fitness levels. We made regular stops to ensure everyone could keep up, and during these breaks, the faster runners took the opportunity to do some squats and kick drops—perfect for strengthening quadriceps and staying warm with a bit of aerobic work.

Upon reaching the allotment gates, we were greeted by Carmel, who gave us an inspiring overview of the charity’s mission and its impact on the community. Energized by her words, we ran down to the plot where we received our tasks for the evening.

The main job was to transport woodchip to the bottom of the allotment, under a fig tree and other trees, to create a space for school groups. The allotment also serves as an educational resource, so this task was particularly meaningful. Armed with wheelbarrows and shovels, we got to work. Meanwhile, a couple of team members continued work on a pond we had started during our last visit. This time, they focused on filling gaps around the edges with soil and spreading sand to create a welcoming area where kids can gather and observe pond life in the future.

Unfortunately, we discovered that one of the plum trees had suffered significant damage, so we carefully removed the broken branches and placed them at the back of the allotment. However, our spirits were lifted when we noticed a perfectly ripe fig, which we joyfully picked and shared, savoring its sweet taste.

The allotment has already produced fresh vegetables for the food bank, including lettuce, and we were pleased to witness the harvest of some potatoes during our visit. As the evening drew to a close, we made sure to finish up by 8:30 pm, ensuring we had time to warm down before heading home.

It was a beautiful, warm summer evening, and the setting sun cast a golden glow over our final moments together. Our group—Paul, Lucinda, Theo, Rachael, Stephanie, and Michaela—left the allotment with a sense of accomplishment, having combined exercise with doing good for the community.

well done to Stephanie on her first GoodGym run hope to see you again. click the link.

Looking forward to the next one!

GoodGym Barnet gathered at the iconic Phoenix Cinema for an evening of running and community service at Highgate Woods.

We began with a warm-up under the golden hues of a beautiful summer evening, right outside the cinema. The run took us through the picturesque Cherry Tree Woods and up to the enchanting Highgate Woods, a remnant of the ancient woodlands that once covered this area, where traces of Roman activity have been discovered.

Upon arrival, we met Cindy, the enthusiastic Highgate Woods Ranger, at the Pavilion Café in the heart of the woods. Our task was to dismantle den structures and repurpose the wood to fence off areas for regrowth. Cindy, with her deep knowledge of the local wildlife, enriched our understanding of the woodland ecosystem. She shared exciting news about a nesting hobby, a small bird of prey, that had relocated to Highgate Woods from Queenwood. To protect the chicks, the area beneath their nesting tree was cordoned off.

Cindy also spoke about her recent experience with a wildlife hospital in Rickmansworth, which cared for a pair of orphaned hedgehogs. This highlighted the growing pressures on wildlife due to human encroachment.

Working beneath the canopy of ancient trees, we dismantled the wooden dens and fenced off an area being used as a shortcut by passersby. The serene surroundings, filled with bird calls and fresh, clean air, made the task a joy. To our delight, we completed the job swiftly and took a moment to enjoy some yoga under the trees.

As the evening drew to a close, we headed home, feeling accomplished and a bit more knowledgeable about our local woodland. It was a perfect way to spend a beautiful summer evening, blending fitness, nature, and community service. Join us next time at GoodGym Barnet to experience these magical moments and make a positive impact on our environment.

Today 4 GoodGymers Beattie, Theodore, Moya and Lucinda (shout out for her second Good Gym session!) did a respectable run of 6km total to our local Tiny Forest, a haven of growth nestled next to the north circular road. Last time I was there we did some weeding of thistles and other plants taking over, but you wouldn't be able to tell from the dense growth that we found! Our task for the evening was to take measurements and record data into the Tiny Forest Citizen Science survey recording how different trees are growing. We looked for trees with number tags, and whilst most of us hung around the periphery Beattie was an intrepid explorer and dove through the thorns to find new specimens (well she is a scientist after all) and came out the other side untouched. We were all very impressed. One curious thing we'd noticed was that there were a growing number of trees spreading outside of the fenced area (see picture), which leads to the question, are they trees, or are they Tolkien's Ents? Perhaps the beautiful rainbow we saw on the way back is a sign....

Report to come.