Four GoodGymmers met at Oasis ready to deliver the leaflets for Splott Community Volunteers. The leaflets were to let locals know about their regular activities like their weekly breakfast club but also about their big 10th anniversary celebrations which are happening on Saturday 16th of August 12-5pm at The Star Centre in Splott.

After eating a lovely almond and jam cookie generously provided by Neda (thanks/diolch!) the group were ready to set off. With Andrew navigating the streets, the group worked seamlessly to deliver the 180 leaflets in record time. Jen and Neda were off to do another good deed afterwards but they had a bit of spare time before their bus was due, so we all headed for a drink at the local cafe.

We chatted about travel plans and escape rooms and while thinking of the pun for the task, Jen taught us a new word “Jentacular" that means relating to or pertaining to breakfast. Overall it was a lovely morning with Jen stating ‘it’s been wonderful’ as she head to continue doing good and getting two deeds closer to getting her black t-shirt! You can do it Jen!!

What a night of celebration we have tonight as 15 goodgymers, old and new, join to take on the task at the community orchard.

Firstly we welcome our 2 new runners, welcome to the Cardiff crew Evie and Simon.

CROESO

Then we had our pre-celebration for a very special birthday for Llion, followed by a night of fun celebrations at the flyte club.

Penblwydd hapus

After initial greetings and chats, we set off the walkers first on a slightly shorter and quicker route, before Lucy led the runners off through the park on a different route. We had the return of our water rolling barrel baddies, the bowsers, which allowed us to transport 80 litres of water in total at a time. Michael ran with them initially, until we hit the park and then the running challenges could begin. Each runner took a turn of running with a single bowser, and this certainly engaged the concentration as those contraptions had a mind of their own at times.

Our first stop along the way was at the cricket changing rooms, where the outside tap was situated. we picked four people to stay back and fill up the bowsers, whilst the rest ran over to the orchard to meet up with the walkers. Michael gave a quick briefing on the tasks, and a quick overview of the orchard project - which was really looking well settled on just its second year.

We had a couple of tasks tonight, so we split the group up to tackle them,

• running the bowsers back and forth to get filled
• watering the orchard
• collecting seeds from a couple of plants

Michael handed out brown envelopes for the seed collecting, and showed everyone which plants we were collecting from and how to get the most seeds. Our plants of choice were foxgloves and honesty.

Did you know?

The Welsh for foxgloves is "Ffion", remember that next time you meet someone with that name. Other translations are "bysedd y cŵn" and "Maneg Ellyllyn".

After a good half an hour of running back and forth, collecting seeds and Michael eating blackberries from the bushes like a feral animal, it was time to collect everything together, including ourselves, take a group photo and head back. Michael had to leave us at this point to drop off the bowsers at another location so that he could then join everyone for the birthday celebrations and darts.

Thanks to everyone for coming, expect some foxglove planting sessions in the orchard next year thanks to all of the seeds collected.

10 goodgymers tonight, taking to the glorious rain after another heatwave...

oh hello

We were returning to our friends at Cwtch Together, where the stingy plants had shot up. This is not what you want at a play group, so gloves on and elbow grease at the ready, we were off. A group went out into the play fields next to Cwtch Together, as this is where a lot of the nettled were coming from and poking through the metal fence.

Another group were up by the sign, clearing those green meanies away. We had the path cleaners, getting to hard work (one of the last groups to finish working - hardcore).

It was plenty of team work to make a dream work tonight, and we loved it.

Yes..... There is something about Imy, she has wings.....

congratulations on your 100th deed

Of course the celebration called for the finding of the old fairy wings, which Imy wore with 'pride'

We made our way to our task tonight, painting the never ending railings. Perfect weather for painting though, and a new beautiful jogging route along the river, much better than the Winter option.

We did a bit of extra time tonight, doing 40 minutes volunteering, whilst chatting about the upcoming birthday celebrations of goodgym, Llion and the Welsh language songs from our resident Eisteddfod favourites, Imy and Andrew.

Join us next month as we celebrate community gardens and on the 20th May we have our 8thbirthday

Get your wings...