Tue 11th Jun at 6:15pm
Cardiff Report written by Michael
As Cardiff is taken over by PINK, 6 goodgymers (maybe the only people not going to the concert) meet to run the RED flag of goodgym.
Our task tonight was to help out the wonderful OASIS, that's the charity not the band. They are having a redevelopment of the front yard to their building, they are creating what will be a haven for biodiversity and a wonderful space to use for the people of Splott. The planters have been built and with a little help from goodgym, lined. But now they need some drainage and weight to help secure them, and this is where we come in once again.
We were heading to the house of one people looking after the project, where we had the task of bagging up as much grit as possible. The grit was then to be loaded into the Oasis minibus and driven over to the building. We got straight to work with shovels and spades, getting the grit into bags. Steve (from Oasis) loaded the bags onto a sack truck to take through to the van, Karolina carried some and we kept those bags coming.
We filled the minibus to its maximum weight, and three goodgymers went with Steve to help unload the van. There was still plenty more bags to load it for a second time too, those of us that didn't head to Oasis got all the remaining bags together ready to be loaded and took a few more photos. Suddenly, we found ourselves locked in a house as the deadlock seemed stuck on the door.
After a lot of pushing and pulling, Michael finally got a chance with the door and managed to get the thing to open and finally we were all free. A quick group photo and we had to run back to the City Centre to celebrate our freedom. We will be helping Oasis again, this time at the Centre in Splott as they will need to get the soil into all of the planters.
Next week we will be out of the City Centre due to the Taylor Swift concert, so if your coming our meet point will be Sport Wales. Sign up here
Tue 21st May at 6:20pm
Cardiff Report written by Michael
An unfortunate start to our Tuesday task as the sky opened and poured like a big ol' leaky tap. But still, a good 12 goodgymers arrived, not put off by some rain, and ready to celebrate on our birthday week.
The run, was a good simple straight run with very little stopping. Our task organiser, our very own Imy, had thankfully come up with alternative plans for bad weather. Once we arrived, the group were taken in and put too work, whilst Michael remained outside waiting to welcome our cyclists.
Our tasks for the evening were sorting the donations, dating them with marker pens and placing them into the correct baskets, and as the rain had passed, three of the team went outside to help to weed and tidy the volunteer area ready for their party in a few weeks time (we may also have a return community task to tackle the painting that was put off due to the rain).
We stayed a little longer than usual to get as much done as possible, and because it's our birthday week......that's right, we are 7 and you are all HEROES.
Imy had plenty of volunteers taking part with her engagement activity, and lots to talk about for the run back. Now it's time to celebrate goodgym Cardiff way with a night at the open mic night.
Sun 7th Jan at 12:00pm
Cardiff Report written by Michael
A nice turn out for a Sunday as 10 goodgymers got together, with an additional 4 little people to encourage us along the way.
A good day to be in the park, we stopped along the way at the junior parkrun area for those that hadn't seen it before, maybe you will join us there on a Sunday soon. A quick coffee and some munch, then we headed back to the start location.
A good 5 bags of rubbish today, well worth it.
Tue 4th Apr 2023 at 6:15pm
Cardiff Report written by Michael
What a beautiful day we had today, just perfect for a nice jog and some friendly volunteering. Once again we had our two pickup locations, Sport Wales and Big Moose, as we all eagerly met ready to get back to School.
We were met by the Head Teacher,
How strange to be in school during the Easter holidays, but no time to waste, lets get to work. This evening we had a lovely task to help make a start on clearing out flower beds that the pupils can turn into sensory gardens, a vegetable patch and a rainbow garden. I don't know about you but I can't wait to see the results.
We got stuck in, pulling Ivy, cutting Buddleja, digging out weeds and finding some long forgotten toys.
Several bags full, and it was a great start to the project. Much clearer and you could see the potential of the space now, hopefully we will return again to help / see progress. We thanked Mrs Thomas and her family before hitting the streets and heading back to Sport Wales for a stretch and rest.
Join us next week as we help out Riverside Medical Centre to create some wildflower areas.
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Tue 28th Mar 2023 at 6:15pm
Cardiff Report written by Michael
After a heavy downpour throughout the night and morning, it was decided that our task would be postponed for a week. The planters that we were to empty had started to look more like ponds ready for the birds.
Unfortunately, there had also been an accident on one of the major roads which had led to it being closed off, and on the night that WALES are playing football to boot!
With a couple of drop outs - totally understandable, we met in two groups again. From Sport Wales in the Park, a lovely run through the lovely green grounds and over to our next group outside Big Moose cafe. We then made our way to our final destination - Adamsdown Primary School.
Instead of our advertised task, we were going to make the school's perimeter that little bit cleaner for the kids and teachers. Litter pickers in hand, and what was our last few bags we got to work and it was a delight. Along the way we found milk - at least it was once upon a time, there was a till, a pair of jeans (good night had there) and even managed to get a few bits through the fence of the school. We finished over in the playground, just a quick tidy up there to make it clean and that little bit safer for the little ones.
5 bags dropped off and it was time to head back and have our monthly social and food.
Join us next week, when we return to the School once more and tackle our actual task.
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Tue 13th Dec 2022 at 6:15pm
Cardiff Report written by Michael
Our last goodgym group task of the year, and one of our favourites too. Illness did get to some of the group, so they had to stay home, but the rest still arrived eager and ready to go.
The task to wrap as many presents as possible, the gifts had been donated for the children staying at Nightingale House, who provide emergency, temporary accommodation for homeless families.
So this task was very special indeed. We had a festive run (Santa hats an all) to the back of the building, where we were let into the back gate. We quickly scurried into the out buildings where all of the presents were hidden. No time to waste, we split into teams and got to work.
As this was super special, we decided to stay a little longer to wrap as many presents as possible. The rest would have to be completed by the night workers later on that evening.
A quick goodbye, as thanks from the staff at the house. And now to get ready for Christmas.
Tue 18th Oct 2022 at 6:15pm
Cardiff Report written by Michael
Well, Autumn is most certainly here and you could tell as we arrived to Samye for tonight's task. Our tasks were ready on our goodgym board, as usual;
Straight to work, as Stuart and Llion put themselves on sweeping duty. Can you dig it? Marie can.
Lydia, Su and Adam removed the plants from the pergola and moved them to the back.
Nathan and Andrew started on the compost, it was a little tough to remove, but with a few bumps and smacks it soon started to fall.
The compost was being moved over to our digger and put into the soil being dug. Soon enough, Andrew joined Marie to help with the digging. The compost was empty and ready to have the tomato plants put in.
The tomato plants were removed from the greenhouse which now housed the plants from the pergola to keep them safe over winter.
The final jobs, as the leaves were bagged up, were added to the compost bin also. A quick bit of pruning and cutting in the veg patch and we were done. Compost bin once again full as nature did it's wonderful job of creating the next growing material.
We all head in for some snacks and water, refueling before our journey back.
Tue 11th Oct 2022 at 6:15pm
Cardiff Report written by Michael
A special task tonight, and we were going to make use of the pleasant weather with an outside task. We were heading to the Church of Saint Edward, home to the Forget me not club that we help.
A lovely 14 of us were jumping to help out, the job to clear, clean and prune ready for a special service later in the week. Some ran, some jog walked, some cycled too. And straight to work we got, all bushes and trees overhanging the fences were put back in check, and the biggest trial of the night was the buddleia.
But we are always prepared us goodgymer prune-ies
After a little longer than 30 minutes we were done and it was time to head back to the city.
Tue 27th Sep 2022 at 6:15pm
Cardiff Report written by Michael
Our last week evening trip to Stargarallot as the nights draw in and the darkness halts our community growing work - At least for the evenings ------ Watch this space for weekend delightful days!
Some simpler tasks to tackle tonight, as our Area Activator is still with a broken collarbone and on photo duty ONLY.
We had planters to move around to help clear some space in the growing areas and to block off the compost bins for a while, these were two people jobs and already full of plants. Plenty of shifting of pots in and out as some wonderful weight work, before the carrying could even begin.
Once in position it was time to move some tools, they were going out of the current store and down the plot to a different store for some other people to use - sharing is caring!
Finally our eager goodgymers had to tackle the tree that had been dumped on land and in the way, so with mighty strength (and a trolley) it was moved over to the some trees where it would rot down and give some shelter to any animals in need this Winter.
A great evening, and as the darkness came in there was still time for some tea and cake.
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