Two Goodgymmers spared their afternoons on a blisteringly hot day to help steward the Barnet MultiFaith Forum's annual Faith and Peace Walk.

Around 50 people from all faiths and none came together for a tour of East Barnet's religious and green spaces. Starting from Christ Church by Cockfosters tube, we toured several locations at a gentle pace along a roughly 5km route, with regular stopping points to hydrate and learn about the history of the area and about nature and biodiversity.

We finished up at Holy Trinity Church, Lyonsdown for refreshments, stalls from various community groups, growers and faith leaders, with speeches and thanks.

Four Goodgymmers helped steward a lovely community parade in North Finchley. The CommUnity Quilt project displayed patches expressing solidarity, peace and community on large sheets. The patches were sewn over hundreds of hours by members of loads of community groups across the borough, celebrating and supporting new arrivals and established friends. The quilts put out a strong message of unity: Everyone is welcome in Barnet!

We started at Swan Lane Open Space, with Goodgymmers helping to carry the quilts on poles. A friendly family crowd followed the three quilts along the High Road and down to Victoria Park on Ballards Lane. Two amazing drummers kept up the pace and energy, while the team of around 20 stewards helped keep people safe, pausing for traffic, handing out flyers along the way and waving to people out for a Sunday shop or walk.

Well done to everyone for such an amazing display, welcoming everyone to Barnet and standing together in solidarity with fellow residents!

And well done to our three first time Goodgymmers, Kate, Steve, Mark!

We've another event to steward this Thursday - can you help?

Tiny Forest Citizen Science Run – Tuesday Night at Its Best!

We gathered at the Phoenix Cinema under perfect summer skies — ideal running weather that had us marvelling at how different it was from the storms and snowfalls we reminisced about. The infamous storm of ‘87 came up (the one the forecasters definitely didn’t see coming!), vividly remembered by Anthony as an eight-year-old, alongside other wild weather events we’ve seen over the years. But tonight? Glorious.

After a warm-up in the Phoenix foyer, we set off on a 2km run through the backstreets and then along the leafy paths by Mutton Brook. George was our trusty back-marker, making sure no one was left behind.

At the Tiny Forest near Henley’s Corner — the same one some of us helped plant three years ago — now joined by three more tiny forest recently. We split into small groups for some citizen science: Anthony and I tackled an insect survey, while another group explored the older forest looking for pollinators cue a spirited debate about whether a nest of ladybirds counted! For the record — ladybirds are great! They help control aphids and other garden pests, making them a natural friend to forests and gardeners alike.

After logging our findings for Earthwatch, we rounded off with a plank challenge — over a minute of solid core-strengthening effort from all involved. (Highly recommended if you fancy a full-body workout at home.)

Memory had to dash off to a meeting, but the rest of us jogged back to the Phoenix, soaking up the golden hour. Huge thanks to George for bringing along some delicious vegan biscuits — a well-earned treat!

Thanks to everyone for coming, for running, and for doing good. See you next week!

I joined Pauline's monthly litter picking posse outside Christ Church for another bash at streets around Tally Ho. Eight of us split into two teams of four and worked our way along the High Road to Churchfield Avenue, down the cut through to Woodhouse Road, then along the way toward Woodhouse College.

We spotted a road sweeper out and about, and while it was doing a great job along the roadside of the kerbs, there was plenty more for us to do. Coming back along Summers Lane, we found a stash of fly-tipped building materials and other rubbish chucked behind the hedges at the entrance to the Glebelands Indoor Bowls Club, which we bravely dug out.

All in, some lovely weather and company, and a good bit of exercise. We'll be back at it next month, but may need to bring our own kit if numbers are as good as this time.