Tonight we had a task that was literally across the road from our meeting point at the University, so we set off to run a circuitous route that would take us to the Brickmakers wood with 18 enthusiastic Goodgymers including Hannah, Irene, Jon and Lucy joining us for their first Group Run.

Thank fully the weather was much kinder than last week and Ian's promise of no rain was delivered.

The short run took us along the quieter and more residential part of the waterfront before looping back towards the Uni and up Fore Hamlet to the entrance to Brickmakers Wood where we were greeted by Jo and her team.

We had an introduction on the work carried out at the wood, it's recent history and how it now helps people with terminal illness. We also heard about the devastating effects of recent vandalism to the area - the reason we were there to help.

We split into groups with the smaller group setting to work tiding up the indoor workshop area, while the remainder got stuck into moving logs from the site to a waiting trailer and taking wood chippings up a steep bank and up to the campfire area.

There was some serious hill repetitions, pushing wheelbarrows up the steep bank, and an enormous amount of wood weight lifting going on as logs where lifted carried and thrown into trailer.

Within minutes the trailer was full of logs and we had to begin piling them by the gate for another day. I think this took the organisers by surprise as they hadn't anticipated needing a second trailer! As the chopped wood disappeared it left only a few very large tree trunks. Surely you can't move that.......the challenge was thrown down. JJ, Robin and Andrew, with a huge amount of team work managed to roll the beast of a tree trunk across the clearing to be nestled close to the exit gate. An amazing feat and it did also provide light entertainment for the rest of the group watching!

Nicola and Eleanor were working relentlessly to fill the wheel barrows with wood chippings before Tony and Jon charged up the hill - you really needed a run up to get the momentum going!.

As we were flying through jobs Jo brought out trays of lavender that needed potting an ideal task for Helen with her shoulder still working through rehab and everyone else dived into clearing ivy from the ground and around tree stumps.

Eventually our time was up - we had made a huge impact and even before we left we were discussing the possibility of returning for future tasks.

Our run back was extended slightly and we ended with some interval training with the waterfront lights providing a wonderful back drop to the hard efforts.

A few people asked for the website and more info on the Eden Rose Coppice Trust who manage the Brickmakers Wood so I have added a link to their website http://www.withnature.org/

Awesome Work tonight.

Next week's run will be a bit longer as we head out to the Castle Hill Community Centre - more details can be found below,

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/painting-at-castle-hill-community-centre