Spring is in the air, and what better way to mark the change of seasons than with a community mission in the heart of Highgate Woods? GoodGym Barnet gathered once again to lend a hand to the wonderful Ranger Cindy, a familiar face from our summer sessions. This time, we were stepping out of winter hibernation to help restore and protect a well-worn patch of woodland—laurel and behold, we had a plan!

A Fence of Foliage

Meeting at the café in the centre of the park, we soon made our way to Cindy’s latest project near the playground and toilets. The ground in this area had become heavily compacted by the constant footfall of visitors, leaving a barren patch where greenery struggled to thrive. Cindy’s clever idea? A “laurel” defence—using cut laurel branches to create a natural-looking barrier that would discourage people from trampling the space, allowing it time to recover.

With logs in hand (and a fair bit of heavy lifting), we carefully placed them around the perimeter. Then came the pièce de résistance: planting the laurel branches upright, crafting what looked like fresh new growth. The deception was all part of the plan—if it looks like a newly planted area, people are less likely to walk through it. A cunning, leafy illusion!

A Walk on the Wild Side

With our natural fencing complete, Cindy led us on a walk deeper into the woods to explore some of the conservation efforts taking place. We visited a protected pond teeming with life and admired a newly planted Blackthorn hedge. Then, to our delight, we spotted a tree creeper—a small, elusive bird that blends so well into tree bark that it’s a rare sight even for regular visitors. Laurel-ly speaking, it was quite the highlight!

A Moment to Restore

Before we wrapped up, we took a few moments for some restorative yoga—because after all that heavy lifting, our bodies deserved a stretch. We stood tall in mountain pose, flowing through some simple movements with the breath, before adding a few deep squats to shake off the effort. A little woodland-wellness to round off a morning of good deeds!

Join Us Next Time!

This was our first session at Highgate Woods coming out of winter, but certainly not our last. Cindy’s experiment with laurel fencing is an inspired approach to conservation, and we can’t wait to see if it takes root (pun intended!). If you’re looking for a fun, active, and rewarding way to give back to nature, come along to the next GoodGym Barnet mission—we’d laurel-ly love to have you!

Check out upcoming sessions and get involved—your local green spaces (and your legs) will thank you!

GoodGym Adventure to Barnwood Community Garden – A Night of Fun, Fitness, and Forest Paths

Last night, GoodGym Barnet hit the streets for a session unlike any other! The goal? Make a difference at Barnwood Community Garden, a beautiful green space devoted to connecting people through woodland crafts and Forest Schools. This hidden gem offers people of all ages a place to hone craft skills, enjoy nature, and grow as a community. For us, it was a chance to get outside, work up a sweat, and make some real impact!

We kicked things off with our usual meetup at the Phoenix Cinema, where all but one of us gathered. It was inspiring to see new faces and many others opting to walk, showing GoodGym’s inclusivity in action! To mix things up, we played a quick round of “Two Truths and a Lie” in the cinema foyer, sparking hilarious debates that lasted the whole evening. Rachael’s detective skills were truly tested, especially with the help of her trusty head torch!

After a challenging warm-up, with hill sprints, heel kicks, and crossovers to get our blood pumping, we divided into running and walking groups. George led the runners, taking them on a longer, scenic route, while Paul led the walkers. Along the way, Paul’s group stopped for static squats, building quad strength and some friendly competition. At one point, the walkers challenged the runners to try their squats, which kept spirits high and added some laughs as they raced ahead.

When we finally arrived at the garden, Leo greeted us with a quick briefing on the amazing work Barnwood does, including an inspiring project pairing community mentors over 60 with young people. The night’s task? Laying down fresh woodchip on paths to keep them safe and mud-free for Barnwood’s upcoming Halloween event, complete with pumpkin soup cooked over the open fire!

Jack met us at the venue, despite being on the injured list, as he trains for his marathon. We all pitched in, shoveling and spreading woodchip until the garden looked ready for its Halloween debut. The walkers made an early exit and reached Phoenix just in time to meet up with the runners for a warm-down. Almost everyone stayed afterward to relax, share laughs, and continue the debate over who told the best lies!

This week’s squad of GoodGym heroes:

• Francesco Ruvolo: Braving the autumn heat in a T-shirt!
• Tom: Fast becoming a GoodGym regular and proving his runner’s endurance.
• Jack Da Silva: Cheering us on from the sidelines as he heals for his marathon. Good luck, Jack!
• Rachael Melinek: Walking group back-marker and social media wizard, helping GoodGym spread the word.
• Beattie: Star woodchip shoveler and part of the running crew.
• George Ttoouli: Our fearless running leader!
• Paul Salman: Leading the walkers with strength and skill.
• Lucinda: Opted to walk this time but no stranger to running.
• Hamid: Taking every chance to practice his English and join in.
• Kirsten: First-timer, who we hope will join us again—perhaps in the running group next time?
• Anthony: Another newcomer. Looking forward to having him back for more adventures!

Reflecting on the night, it’s these quirky conversations and shared moments that make GoodGym so unique. Imagine telling your coworkers how you ran through East Finchley, laid woodland paths by night, and debated lies over tea in a cinema lobby. Only at GoodGym! Join us next week for more fun, fitness, and community spirit—walking or running, everyone’s welcome!