Ten Years of GoodGym Barnet – Back Where It All Began

Ten years ago GoodGym Barnet held its first group run to Long Lane Pasture. Yesterday we went back to where it all began with old friends, new faces and over 30 people joining us to celebrate a decade of doing good in our community.

A big group set off from the Phoenix Cinema after our traditional warm-up but this time we also went around the group remembering some of our favourite GoodGym moments from the last ten years. Gardening, clearing graffiti from the Phoenix, Halloween runs in fancy dress, Tiny Forests, litter picks and countless community missions. It was a lovely reminder of just how varied GoodGym has been.

We ran through the back streets of East Finchley, keeping everyone together with the occasional stop for squats, exercises and a few questionable drop kicks!

At Long Lane Pasture we met Donald, other volunteers, councillors and GoodGymers who had made their own way there. Donald told us a little about this wonderful nature reserve, saved from development and now looked after by volunteers.

After gathering around the Green Flag for a photo, we squeezed in some gentle yoga breathing and mobility before getting down to business , clearing litter from the footpath alongside the reserve.

Then came the important birthday business: cake and beer!

Huge thanks to Donald and everyone at Long Lane Pasture for hosting us and providing plenty of cake, Richard for the vegan cake, Athletic Brewing for the beers and Theo for some additional refreshments with a little more kick!

There was another milestone worth celebrating too: congratulations to Subham on reaching over a 100 good deeds. What better evening to do it.

Most importantly, it was wonderful seeing people who have been part of GoodGym Barnet at different times over the last decade. Some we see every week, others we haven’t seen for years. You’re always welcome back even if it’s only once a year!

One message we received afterwards perhaps summed the evening up best:

“The energy is infectious. You have created a wonderful community, and Barnet is richer for having you in it.”

But GoodGym isn’t really about what we have created. It’s about supporting people like Donald and the volunteers at Long Lane Pasture, and all those people across Barnet who quietly take responsibility for our green spaces, charities and community organisations.

Sometimes a couple of hours of our time gets a job done. Just as importantly, hopefully it reminds those people that they aren’t doing it alone and that what they do is noticed and valued.

And it does something for us too. Getting outside, being active and doing something useful alongside other people is pretty good medicine for life.

We might only make a small difference each time but a small difference is considerably better than no difference at all.

After ten years, we’re still running, walking and cycling into our community, getting our hands dirty and seeing where we can help.

Here’s to the next few years and hopefully plenty more familiar and new faces joining us along the way. ❤️

Happy 10th birthday GoodGym Barnet!

Six Goodgymmers rocked up for a third go at the overgrowth along the East End Road fence of Stephens House and Gardens. Five of us jogged from the Phoenix, and met up with Warwick, Allison and Richard, already hard at work. Theo soon rocked up ready to roll, so we got stuck in, cutting back the bushes, sweeping the brickwork and brushing the pavements.

We bagged things up and carried the full rubble sacks around to the compost pile. On the way back, there was a brief opportunity for some monkeying on the monkey bars, but then back to it, until we had finished the whole of the last part of the fence! Not to worry though, there are other fences in need of some vegetation maintenance.

Meanwhile, tonight's icebreaker asked what was the most recent work of art to have moved you to laughter or tears. From the Weight of Being exhibition at Two Temple Place earlier this year, to Laurie Lee novels and zombie drama - even a facebook video meme (yes it's art!) - we had plenty of food for discussion as we worked. Then, with three of our team living only a few minutes away, just three of us jogged back to the Phoenix to collect bags and be on our merry ways home, feeling fitter and very satisfied with our good deeds.

NB: CONGRATULATIONS SUBHAM!

I completely missed it, so adding this special note! Well done to Subham, as this was his 100th good deed! What a champ!

Last night we headed back to Coldfall Wood for our GoodGym group run somewhere we hadn’t visited for quite a while. After gathering, as usual, outside the Phoenix Cinema, we eased ourselves in with a gentle warm-up. It was certainly warm, but the humidity was what everyone really noticed.

Our discussion topic on the run out was favourite comedy songs. It turned out to be more challenging than expected, with quite a few people struggling to think of one. Maybe we’ve uncovered a whole new discussion theme! One suggestion was Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. I’ll happily provide the full playlist another time if there’s enough demand.

After the short run to the woods, we were welcomed by Linda, who reminded us that Coldfall Wood is an ancient woodland dating back to the 16th century. Our task was to repair the dead hedges, helping to discourage people from wandering through sensitive areas and damaging the new growth.

There were a few unusual jobs along the way, including wrestling a large fallen section of tree out from another tree. Someone must have thought it was amusing to wedge it there! Members of the Friends of Coldfall Wood group were working alongside us, and one of them kindly brought figs to share, which were absolutely delicious.

We carried on repairing the dead hedges wherever they needed attention before it was time to make our way back. It was a simple task, but hopefully one that will make a real difference. It’s probably something that needs regular attention, and we’re always happy to support the Friends group in looking after this wonderful ancient woodland.

After the run back, we gathered outside the Phoenix for a well-earned chat before heading home.

And finally… if you’ve made it this far, you’ll be pleased to know we also had a good laugh about a couple of broken legs and a mop in the mouth. If you’ve read this and have no idea what I’m talking about… never mind! first person to DM me with the words broken legs and a mop in the mouth. I’ll buy you a drink! (as I am curious to know if anybody does read this)

We had a great turn out for our return to the Finchley Charities' community plot at the Fuel Land Allotments. Ten Goodgymmers gathered, half at the Phoenix for the warm up run and half at the allotment gates for the task. We were met by the lovely plot coordinators Brigid and Les, as well as Carmel from the Finchley Charities. (A brief shout out to www.goodgym.org/v3/profile/sheela-guttula, who couldn't make it due to an injury - get well soon!)

With many hands, we made light work of the tasks: carrying logs from the back of the plot to the front to extend the palisade, weeding bindweed, horseradish and oak seedlings and watering the vegetables. We also admired the wonderfully weird icon of Jesus the group found by chance painted on an old slab resting by the shed, as well as a lovely tiger moth spotted on a fence near the plot.

It was great to see Jamie out again for his third session - hoping work commitments will allow for lots of future sessions. And thank you to Richard for suggesting the pizza and popcorn social afterwards for some of us.