In today’s age of dazzling lights and constant motion, the humble glow of a candle may seem too faint, too insignificant to notice. Yet, in many forgotten corners of our cities, such small lights can shine brightest, offering warmth, encouragement, and hope where they are needed most.

In line with the ongoing community efforts of GoodGym, our group received a call for cooperation from such a corner of the city. It was a place that, though overlooked, had long served as a quiet beacon for the surrounding houses. Years ago, the locals had transformed part of their neighborhood into a small green space: a table and several large planters stood there, inviting but worn, needing care and attention. Dust and erosion had left their marks, but not their spirit.

Our group arrived in three stages to restore this space. The table and planters were carefully sanded, with two planters freshly painted. The area was swept clean, giving it back its charm and freshness. While some members worked on sanding, pruning, and tidying, others collected stray items scattered around the neighborhood. The energy was high, the atmosphere warm and lively.

The day became even more special with the arrival of two new members and the long-awaited presence of Ema. Some of us had known Ema only through chats and emails, but meeting her in person added a new spark. Her kind words and cheerful presence doubled the warmth of the gathering.

Yes, in that small corner of the city, we lit a candle once again. The joy was visible not only among us but also in the smiles and gestures of the locals, some waving from their cars as they passed by. Their response was proof that even the smallest light can rekindle a sense of connection and belonging.

After completing the restoration, we shared a short reflection together and then, with a smile, visited what we jokingly named “Ema Lake.” In truth, it was no grand lake at all, just a small pond surrounded by plants, but since Ema had mentioned it a few times, the name stuck and added a lighthearted touch to the day. Standing there, laughing together, it felt like the perfect closing to a day of meaningful work, fun, and renewed friendships.

It was the third Saturday of the month and this always sees Goodgymers attend parkrun at our local Princes Park before heading out for breakfast. We have been doing this consistently since January so we knew we were in for a Gr8 time!

Today was Princes parkrun 666th parkrun. It's a busy parkrun and today there were 606 participants (almost 666) including Amina,Bekah, Jess, Jo, Sian, Steph and lovely to see our dear friend Roz (Goodgymer for many years and Jo's daughter). Everyone ran really well with several people getting PBs.

It was time then to head for breakfast which today was at Rhubarb a nearby cafe that has been on the list for a while. Lucky for us Ellie went straight there as soon as they opened and helped the staff to rearrange tables so we had a big table to sit together.

The thing about the monthly parkrun breakfast is that there is such a lovely warmth (not just from the weather at the moment) its a time of chat connection and coffee (ok i just had to throw that beverage in for alliteration purposes). Far from talking rhubarb conversation ranged from Nelson number, fibonacci sequence, what's on at the cinema, and what to have for breakfast. Leo definitely earned star of the month as he showed everyone how to put their parkrun barcode into their Google wallet.

As another parkrun breakfast morning drew to a close and whilst people's loyalty cards are filling up and another mystery category has been attained (to be revealed in December) and it was time to carry on with our weekend I for one left filled with not just a hearty breakfast but a heart full of time spent with lovely people

A great group of Liverpool Goodgymers met at St Luke's Bombed-Out Church on Leece Street and were greeted by the lovely bar staff from St Luke's Garden Bar and Cafe. Painting supplies and sizeable buckets of Ronseal presented, each Goodgymmer selected their brush and the throng of preservative on oak filled the air. The task in hand, to apply wood preservative to the remaining benches and tables in the gardens to complete some much needed sprucing! With no time to lose everyone jumped into action, brush in hand with the table per hour challenge fresh in the mind.

Well Goodgym by name, Goodgym by nature! This bunch did exactly what it said on the Ronseal tin. Clambering, stretching, bending and avoiding the table numbers - 9 tables protected and the good people of Liverpool may be merry for many seasons to come!

A few words from Kate the contact from St Luke's:

"Thank you so much for painting so many tables yesterday! That's loads more than I was expecting! Please pass on a massive thank you to everyone who came."

Well done all, a great job and we've already been invited back. And welcome to new Goodgymmer Sanda who joined us for her first session!

The King’s Guide walk across Morecambe Bay, raising money to help save the Grange Lido was fully booked and there was 500 people in attendance. Bekah, Miriam, Sallyann, Jo and Vikky drove up from Liverpool and Ellie joined us driving from Yorkshire. We parked in Arnside, where the walk was starting from. We grabbed a coffee, Bekah was really pleased to find a matcha iced latte! The local cafes were pleased as punch that 500 people had descended on Arnside as they said it was their busiest day ever. The weather was absolutely perfect, glorious sunshine with a cool breeze.

Michael the King’s Guide gave a safety speech at start point. Don’t feed the dog, walk when the whistle blows and stop when the whistle blows and whatever you do, don’t stop for anything when crossing the river.

We started out over the rocky headland, then we took our shoes off to walk across the sandy bay. It felt so nice. Then the first part of the river. The many dogs that were in attendance barked excitedly. There was a tiny sausage dog who turned out to be an amazing swimmer.

The King’s Guide marked the area for us to cross and we waded in. The water coming up to our knees. We all crossed safely and stopped for a bite to eat. We walked on to the second part of the river, another safe crossing. We walked towards Grange Over Sands and just as our feet were drying in the sand, we came across oily clay, very slippy and our feet got covered. We arrived at Grange and tried to wash off the clay and put our shoes back on. Sallyann was keen to walk back across the bay but thought better of it. We bought some merchandise to support the bay team. We then walked to Grange station and got a train back to Arnside.

An amazing walk, we absolutely lucked out with the weather. As every walk is different it was something that we will never experience again.

A balmy mid-week July evening saw three valiant Goodgym runners participate in the Tony Barnes Memorial 5-mile Race, at Sefton Park, south Liverpool.

This run, organized by Mossley Hill Athletics Club, commemorates Tony's contribution to his running club and the wider running community, which remains highly regarded and fondly remembered.

The five (or was it 5 hundred?!) mile route welcomed approximately 200 runners in total, all stretched and set to take to the start line for 7.30pm.

Goodgym was represented by Bekah, Jess and Liam, a mighty trio of athletes, united in their upbeat determination to take on this challenging distance, even under the strong gaze of a golden late-day sun.

Dike, Liam, Dan and Steph clapped, whooped and cheered their support, as the field of runners completed the distance. The course twisted and turned along park paths, circling the large lake, before winding up to the finish, a final 200 metre stretch beyond the second full loop.

Sallyann and Siân added their support, as all three participants rose to the task of this Goodgym mission, crossing the finish line with strong performances each, showing notable swiftness, grit and bounce. Well done to all three, receiving commemorative mugs, certificates and a T-Shirt, for their efforts.

With the runners' pulses easing from their exertions, a Goodgym crowd gathered to further congratulate them and share in a celebratory picnic. Food and drink was spread out and shared, with Miriam and Ellie adding their enthusiasm to the post-race gathering.

Well done to each and every supporter for joining the event, adding their praise and positivity for the Goodgym runners, and all others taking part.

Food-wise, top-notch feast dishes included the (Chinese spice) salt and pepper sausage rolls (available in meat and veggie options) - thanks Bekah; inaugural home-made hummus with baked goods from a local bakery - thanks Siân; and divinely intense chocolate brownie squares of indulgence - thank you Steph's girlfriend 😋.

Distribution of leftovers and slick tidying up ensured our patch of grass at Sefton Park was left as spotless as when we arrived. Each Goodgymer dispersed to respective living quarters across Liverpool, as the sun dipped below the height of the trees.

And so the moonlight served to glow the runners and supporters safely home, tired and satisfied by the evening's warm success... "Da-da da da (Da-da da da) Da-da da da (Da-da da da) Da-da dum diddy dum diddy dum diddy da da da..."

On Monday evening GoodGym Liverpool returned to our regular haunt on Park Lane for our urban street clean up.

Congrats to Jess for taking part in her fifth task!!

Most of us got to work removing the throng of thistles, learning top tips such as:

Double gloving is useful when you accidentally bring your rubbish ones You must cut off the thistle flowers and bag them up before their seeds spread Using shears as a method to transport thistles is very effective

Whilst we were tackling the thistles Bekah was doing a boss job litter picking. She also saved a cornucopia of slugs (I did not know this was the collective word for these docile slimy creatures so I've learnt something new).

She rescued them from certain death after finding one half in, half out of a can of lager, she liberated it and then found another 15 inside the can!! So she's relocated them somewhere more suitable so they can enjoy their best life.

We got an incredible amount of work done, as seen in the photo, and here's hoping that we managed to get those wretched seeds into the bags ready to be taken far, far away.

We will be back again next week and I'm so confident we will remove every last one of the thistles ready for Elaine to manage the area to make it beautiful for the people of Liverpool (and for her dog Riley to play in without getting prickled by the offending vegetation).

Well done gang!!