While several Brighton Goodgymers headed to Lewes via bike train, those of us who prefer to avoid the sensory overload of Bonfire Night came to Lavender House, armed with head torches for some intensive weeding!

With the night punctuated by the frequent bang and sparkle of fireworks, we ran up our favourite hill and were greeted by the task owner, who provided an array of garden tools for us to get to work with.

Sherman was an unstoppable force against the weeds, and several of the team even cleared the weeds outside the fence too. Meanwhile, Frances and Michael got to reprise their favourite pastime of pulling the ivy off the wall (so satisfying).

We soon turned the urban jungle into a clear area, into which residents will be installing raised beds to grow vegetables 🥕🥬🍅

Thanks everyone for a great effort tonight! 🙌

13 GoodGym-ers braved the incoming dark night to run along the Lewes Road at rush hour to Stanley Court, which is a YMCA supported accommodation.

We were last there in spring to help clear the small back yard area and to create a useful open-air space for gardening and other recreational activities for the residents. Over the summer the dreaded bind weed has made its presence known again so we were clearing the back yard, cutting back, pulling weeds and getting rid of the bind weed.

We also did some litter picking in an alley way next to the court, where lots has been abandoned in years. It was a real adventure to navigate in the poor light, but we managed to do the job.

A familiar face joined the team for the first time in Brighton - Welcome Jo!

We all made a big difference in a small area, and this is very satisfying!

Hoping that the little garden thrives over the winter.

Afterwards we jogged along to the Level Park to do some speed training, watched on by the ever-present skateboarders.

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Yesterday was a return to the Brighton Hove Food Partnership’s Clubhouse on the Downs at Wilding Waterhall. A return to re-wilding for some running GoodGym-ers and a discovery of a relatively new community project for new-er GoodGym-ers, who adventured the ascent to the hill (and descent even more 😉) on their bike!

Formerly a golf course, this rewilding area now boasts diverse flora & fauna, stunning views, wild horses, and ample space for hire. Since our visit last year, this clubhouse has become a well-used space for several wellbeing projects, immerse in the nature to generate a multitude of good emotions to its beneficiaries. The continuing improvement and maintenance of the assets requires multiple contributions, often in kind, from construction builders, renewable energy developers, rangers of the city green spaces … and indeed the always most welcome help of GoodGym Brighton. We were tasked to clear the pavements surrounding the clubhouse from weeds to make the structure more easily accessible by all.

Did you like it, GoodGym-ers? In Harrison’s words: “I would just say that it's been a motivation and an inspiration to be a part of the GoodGym. I felt completely welcome from the very first moment and everyone is so nice and friendly - who would have guessed? I've enjoyed all the activities so far, getting outside and helping the place look nice! It's very heart warming to hear and feel the genuine thanks from the people we help and the public that witness us doing it, it really feels like we are putting something positive out there, so thank you!”

Making the most of the of the evening sun we headed to the Bevy. We welcomed back Kitty!

The Bevy Pub– More Than a Pub! The Bevy is the only community run pub on an estate sited in Moulsecoomb at the margins of Brighton & Hove city. As well as pouring a good pint they run events for the whole community including a Kids Club, Disability Disco and Seniors Club. They are struggling for funds but still providing support and activities for the local community, thanks to the support of everyone for More than a Good cause! 😉

We had a longer run of approx 7k with a sting in the tail with a hill at the end!

We were helping master gardener Dave, a very much-loved member of The Bevy community, with the community garden where the produce grown is used for feeding the Seniors Club. The GoodGym Brighton’s group got busy weeding the bushes of berries, under great coordination from Frances, Nicola, Jane and Stefania for tools provision and time keeping! Some of us dug out compost to use as mulch to renjuvinate the soil all around those well managed bushes that are still gifting The Bevy’s chef with succulent little fruits to make apple & berries crumbles. While others prepared soil beds with recycled cardboards and carried out buckets of green waste compost up the sloping garden to improve the fertility and health of the soil, so reducing weed growth in the future. A smaller team, including Pippa, Liam and Ben watered the upper flowery allotment and picked up the grown veg, including beans and squashes that I remember GoodGym volunteers planted here last spring.

In a short time, we made a bit difference to Dave’s garden and left him with a big indulged smile on his face. You, Dave, Warren and all The Bevy’s community volunteers are greatly contributing to the future resilience of such a Good pub!

The Bevy Pub– More Than a Pub! An engaged community of friends and volunteers believing in a shared social good purpose. GoodGym Brighton is proud to befriend you, and we will be happy to return in winter for some painting!

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Brrr! Yesterday was a cold and rainy evening – a shocking return to the English weather for Stefania but nicely warmed up by the greetings of a grand group of Brighton GoodGym-ers ready for action!

We conquered Victoria Gardens by running several loops and alternating running fitness exercises with speeding up legs to keep us warm before leading to our task. But, this was not there available to our surprise! Never minded, and freewheeling, this GoodGym session turned to be a great social gathering at Lord Nelson Pub, where Michelle organised a quiz night for us, thank you!

GoodGym Teams: ”Good-ER Gym-ERs” and ”Great Guys” quizzed the names of cakes and guessed colours by answering multiple (and more) questions, but there is never a black or white answer for everthing, isn’t here? (Tom’s quote 😉)

We welcomed Matthew to join the fun and return to our future group sessions!