Despite the biting cold before the snow hit yesterday, 20 hardy GoodGymers and friends braved the elements for a Bonus Saturday Litter Pick in and around Mile End Park. Armed with litter pickers, bags, hoops, and a whole lot of enthusiasm, we were determined to make a visible impact.

After gathering at the Art Pavilion, we split into smaller groups to cover more ground. One team worked their way over Mile End Bridge, while others tackled the towpath. This helped us to sweep through a large section of the park, ensuring we reached some of the more littered areas!

We were lucky to have John from Friends of Mile End Park join us, bringing along Fendi, his enthusiastic little dog! John provided all the necessary kit and shared insights about the park’s ongoing upkeep. He explained that Friends of Mile End Park run a monthly litter pick, with the next one happening next week - but any extra help in between is always welcomed, as it’s a well-used park in constant need of care.

Over the course of the afternoon, we collected an impressive 34 bags of rubbish, including some rather bizarre finds - a large plastic grasshopper and a broken pack of top trumps among them! It was a fantastic team effort, with people joining in as we went along.

With frozen fingers and a well-earned sense of satisfaction, we wrapped up the session and a good group of us headed to The Star of Bethnal Green, where we thawed out with a well-deserved celebratory drink!

A huge thank you to everyone who took part - whether you’re a seasoned GoodGymer or a first-time volunteer, your efforts made a real difference and it was a great way to spend my birthday. See you next time!! 🎂🥳

Emma

Twas the week before Christmas... and one special group (Amna, Emily, Jacqui, Jackie, John, Rose, and Steve) of good-deeding Camden folk were about to meet three Christmas ghosts...

After a traditional (as seen in A Christmas Carol) festive game of count to (20)24 and an inclusive run through Christmas Camden, this wonderful group arrived at Cecil Sharp House.

Head out of Camden Town and look for giant trees. This is the best way to find Cecil Sharp House. Home to music and creativity, it's also a resting place for a deep archive of folk music.

We don't know whether the evening's ghosts knew (/know) the real Cecil Sharp nor whether they like folk music, but we do know their names...

...the first ghoul was called The Ghost of Leaves Previously Picked, and this friendly spirit (who had a leaf on their head) delighted in showing us the clear lawns and tidy pathways that were the result of GoodGym's work this winter - several of our group joined TGoLPP by jumping up and down and shouting "but where are the leaves - there aren't any leaves!"...

...which was when The Ghost of Leaves Still to Pick popped up from behind a bush, and this fastidious spirit (who had a torch on their head) waved their (transparent) hands to show us oodles of hidden leaves in the bushes - and our group joined TGoLStP by bagging bag-upon-bag of leaves in the bushes and on the flower-beds - and then we were done and about to leave...

...which was when The Ghost of Leaves Yet to Fall stood in the gateway, and this forward-looking spirit (with a diary and pen in their hands) reminded us about the gardening work that is never really complete, and we booked in our next visit for 2025!

Thank you, everyone, for your work and energy - I had a wonderful evening seeing you all!

Here's to 2025... and next time!

This November, GoodGym members were invited to make a difference in their local communities by doing a bit of litter picking whenever and wherever they could. Armed with gloves, bags, and an eye for stray trash, volunteers took to parks, beaches, and streets to help tidy up and share their stories.

I took part on Chesil Beach in Dorset while walking my dog, Gus. It didn’t take long to fill a bag with rubbish collected along the shore and on the way back. Among the usual suspects—plastic bottles, disposable milk cartons, and tangled fishing lines caught in seaweed—I found two identical yellow Wellington boots for the same foot! It’s a mystery—where are the matching right boots?

A huge thank you to everyone who joined in this initiative. Your efforts have made a visible impact, and the photos and comments you’ve shared showcase the incredible variety of locations and litter unearthed. From city streets to coastal paths, every piece picked up makes a difference.

This simple act not only helps the environment but is also surprisingly fun. Whether you’re walking the dog, on your commute, or out for a run, a little litter picking can turn an ordinary outing into something purposeful.

We’re continuing the challenge for December! Why not bring along friends or family, snap a photo, and share your experience? It’s a small act that can lead to a big change.

Thank you again for being part of this movement to keep our communities clean and beautiful. Let’s see what quirky finds December brings!

Great to see a good turn out for this Saturday morning group run!

Welcome new Goodgymer Vicky and welcome back Beth!

Part of the group met at Brunswick Bakehouse for a social and scenic 3k run along the river. We arrived at the Leaside Trust, met the rest of the Goodgym team and got to work clearing what seemed like a never ending sea of leaves. We filled up the compost heap to the brim and also multiple big bags.

The Leaside Trust team were so pleased that they gave us a tour of their lovely venue and welcomed us back for canoe trips in the future. Will keep you posted. Then some of us ran back to Hackney Downs completing a 6k return trip. Well done everyone, smashed it 🔥