Tonight's Monday Night Group run saw 22 GG Yorkies tackle an overgrown patch of land in Clifton. But before setting off we welcomed the return of Amy practically fresh off the plane from New Zealand. We also celebrated Pete's 200th Good Deed and gave a big cheer to those who had completed the Yorkshire 3 peaks at the weekend. Give them all a big cheer 💪

The run out tonight was just over 5km out and back so we kept the warm up short and headed straight out with Ed leading the group and Abigail and Laura backmarking. Jenna was our sole cyclist whilst Jane, Michal and Martin met us at the task.

Kristina from the council's eco team gave us the lowdown on tonight's task. The area used to be a play park but had since been left to grow over, to the point that it had started to cover the paths that run through it. Our job was to cut back anything that was growing over the paths and generally make it feel a bit tidier and safe for those that use it as a cut through to the hospital.

Emma armed herself with a pretty mean looking strimmer whilst the rest of the group picked up wire brushes, loppers and shears and soon got to work tackling the overgrown foliage. Although it wasn't always easy going, with Amy struggling to get to grips with her wire brush and later not being able to open a pair of secateurs!

But it wasn't just Amy who was struggling. Emma was keen to get going with the strimmer, but wasn't too sure about where to put the rather large battery pack that came with it. Fortunately help was on hand in the form of Abigail who was looking for a mote gentle job to keep her busy, and was more than happy to act as the battery pack carrier, sort of like the GG version of a flower girl at a wedding carrying the brides dress

Before too long the task was completed and we had a quick thank you from local resident Rebecca who was delighted with the progress that we'd made. It was then off to Clarence Gardens, scene of many previous GG tasks, for tonight's fitness session

Since Amy T had been away for 2 and a half years the fitness was all about getting to know each other a bit better. The group ran around in a circle and then came into the middle if they had done the thing that Ed shouted out. We then chose someone to tell us a bit more about that thing. In true GG York fashion, we had more people who had a piece of work published than those that had tattoos but we still heard about the meaning behind a couple of Issy's tattoos as well as learning a bit of Urdu from Pete and being suitably impressed by the various celebrities that our crew had met. Although it's possible Jane's UFO sighting during a Radiohead concert may have been more to do with the light show than flying saucers!

It was then back to base but not before wishing Pete, Laura and Cara a happy birthday with some traditional birthday squats.

We've also had a special thank you from the council for our help across the city. GoodGym has been a huge contributor across multiple projects, so it was fab to do our fitness sesh right in front of a flourishing wildflower garden that wouldn't be the there without us.

See you all next week when we'll be back to West Bank Park

Great turnout for our social run at Kirkham Priory.

Pete led out a 12k route, Michael a 8k and Vicky a 5k. Thank you to the run leaders and to Rich for the route planning.

All the group had an enjoyable session in the lovely countryside and some of Michael's group even managed a quick dip in the river afterwards. Unfortunately I can't include the quote from him afterwards.

We then assembled at the Stone Trough pub for some grub before heading home

Three Goodgymers met on a sunny (but surprisingly chilly) morning to deliver leaflets for Christian Aid Week, having a good chat on the way round and admiring the very high standard of front garden in the neighbourhood. Our contact at Southlands Methodist Church was very grateful for our support as it helped them publicise the fundraising event more widely round the local area.

Our 2nd ever official Monday Night Group Ride saw a fab turnout of 23 GoodGym Yorkies on a beautiful spring evening. We started off welcoming newcomer, Andy before a quick run through the weekend's achievements, which David absolutely smashing the challenging White Horse Marathon and the absent Rich completing the frankly ridiculous Fred Whitton Sportive. We'll let him off for deciding to rest his legs this evening!

Tonight's task was at Yearsley Grove Primary School, which is a good 4km or so away, so Nick led a perfectly punctual run out for about 5 or so people, whilst the rest of the group hopped onto 2 wheels and cycled to the task. We might need a bit of practice sticking together as a biker gang when we realised less people had arrived than we had set off with, but eventually everyone wad accounted for and the task could start

At Yearsley Grove, we met Amanda and Adele who gave us a run through of what was needed and set us off to work, with half the crew focused on a general garden tidy up and the other half helping caretaker Malcolm with starting to put together some new raised beds.

James S was soon getting stuck in with the sledgehammer and knocking in new posts for the raised beds, whilst everyone tackled the weeds that had built up across the garden. Full wheelbarrows of weeds were then being taken across the play area and dumped to the side out of the way.

Does stuff mean biscuits - Max

With the task getting towards completion and the GG crew having weeded every inch of the garden, there was a timely boost of cups of squash and chocolate biscuits, to give everyone a bit of energy before the fitness session

As Ed is still injured, the fitness course was perfectly modelled by Lucy who demonstrated the route which involved hopping on one foot, little jumps before a standing long jump, throwing a ball into a hoop type thing before a sprint race. 3 circuits of the course seemed to be enough yo keep everyone entertained and not too tired out for the run/ride home

And so to team tidy up at the Mela. New recruits joined Vicky and Jenna to pack it all away. There were no signs of flagging in the afternoon heat, with Vicky now the gazebo queen! The team dismantled gazebos, stacked away tables and chairs - and a random goose, carried gear to the car park and collected in the flags. Pete- our international man of mystery was breast of the situation! The Mela saw ten thousand visitors today. Bravo!

How the tables have turned! No longer creatures with head torches! We swapped the sunset for the sunrise shift. These 6 goodgymers were up with the lark to set up for the York Arts and Health Mela. The sun was shining and Bec was buzzing to be on a task at 7.30am. First we were tasked with hanging bunting where ever we liked. Then we split, with Bec and Jenna taking barriers to outside the art gallery. There we set up the second site with flags, another changing gazebo (without any sides - what?!) and carried huge Taiko drums ready for the first performance. Meanwhile Vicky, Leanne, Tristian and Clare, unloaded for the various charity stalls, set up tables and chairs and looked pretty on deckchairs, outside the Yorkshire Museum! Everyone agreed this was the best time for a task and rewarded themselves with coffee and pastries.