The Chronicles of Cherry Tree Wood: A Heroic Tale of Weeds, Willpower, and Wonder

It was one of those rare, golden evenings that London occasionally produces just to make you feel guilty for all the times you've cursed the weather. The sky was a painter’s dream—blue with delicate strokes of white clouds, the kind that makes you think, "Perhaps, I should go for a run tonight." And so, this week's intrepid band of merry adventurers, otherwise known as the GoodGym crew, set off from the Phoenix Cinema on a downhill jaunt to Cherry Tree Wood, armed with determination, a vague sense of direction, and an enthusiastic but ultimately unhelpful pair of dogs.

The task at hand was noble: to rescue an overgrown orchard from the clutches of villainous weeds, a mission so vital that it would make any gardener weep with pride. The orchard, planted in 2020, was at the mercy of these pernicious plants, and its very survival—and future fruit-bearing potential—depended on our intervention. Leading this horticultural rescue operation was Roger, the indefatigable hero of Cherry Tree Wood, a man whose dedication to the local greenspaces is matched only by his ability to wield loppers with the precision of a brain surgeon.

Roger greeted us with the tools of our trade: rakes, loppers, and enough enthusiasm to power a small village. The team assembled—Philip, Ashley, Rupesh, Paul, and Kirsten—set to work like a well-oiled machine, or perhaps more accurately, a somewhat creaky, slightly rusty, but ultimately effective piece of gardening equipment. Ruslan, offering moral support, hovered on the periphery, contemplating whether the joys of weed-pulling were enough to tempt him into full participation. The dogs, meanwhile, contributed precisely nothing, apart from looking adorably confused and occasionally distracting curious passersby who no doubt wondered why a group of adults had chosen to spend a perfectly good evening doing battle with grass and weeds.

Note to self: next time, bring insect repellent or prepare to donate another pint of blood to the local wildlife. Despite the mosquitoes’ best efforts, we soldiered on, fueled by a potent mix of civic duty and the promise of a 10% discount at the Phoenix Cinema afterward.

As the weeds flew and the grass was tamed, a few locals stopped by to offer their thanks, which was both heartwarming and somewhat embarrassing, as we fumbled to explain that we were part of this wonderful thing called GoodGym. It’s a gym, but not in the sense that you’ll find rows of treadmills and the unmistakable scent of protein powder. No, this is the outdoors gym, where the world is your workout and your good deeds are the reps. “Dump the indoor gym,” I told them, perhaps a bit too eagerly. “Get outside and do some good!” They nodded politely, which I took as a sign that they were thoroughly convinced.

With our mission accomplished, and the orchard now freed from its weedy shackles, we took a moment to bask in our achievement, or at least catch our breath. There was even time for a bit of yoga on the main lawn, a gentle reminder that flexibility isn’t just important for weeding but also for the mental gymnastics required to justify coming out in the first place.

Finally, we made our way back to the Phoenix Cinema, where the promise of refreshment awaited. The 10% discount felt like a hard-won trophy, a small but appreciated token of thanks for our efforts. We raised our glasses—or perhaps more accurately, our discounted beverages—to Roger, the hero of Cherry Tree Wood, and to the GoodGym team, who once again proved that there’s no better way to spend an evening than making the world just a little bit better, one weed at a time.

What do you get when you mix nine eager GoodGym runners, a plot of land, and a historic charity? A wheelbarrow load of fun, fitness, and community spirit, of course!

Last night, on a gloriously warm summer evening with a few picturesque clouds, we set off on a mission to support the Finchley Charities. These good folks have been helping the community for over 500 years, primarily through their Armes houses, but also by nurturing an allotment that provides fresh food for the local food bank.

Our run was off to a dynamic start as we paused for a round of dropkick squats—because why not add some flair to our fitness? Then, onward we dashed, meeting up with Anton at the allotment. Anton gave us the lowdown on the Finchley Charities and led us through some very imposing gates. (Seriously, these gates were practically auditioning for a part in the next Game of Thrones season.)

With the gates behind us, we jogged through the lush allotments, making our way to the heart of the Finchley Charities site. Tasks were promptly dished out: some of us took on the heavy-duty job of wheelbarrowing mulch down to the bottom of the allotment to prep the area for visiting school kids. Others got down and dirty with some weeding and continued the epic quest of digging out an area for a new pond.

Time flew by as we dug, weeded, and mulched, and before we knew it, it was time to head back. We made our way back to the Phoenix Cinema for a well-earned warmdown.

A big shoutout to everyone who came out to run, work up a sweat, and do some good. in particular to our new runners.Michaela and James

Remember, every step we take and every task we tackle makes a difference. See you at the next run!

Keep running and doing good!

Despite the rain, GoodGym Barnet embraced the challenge with gusto during our run from the Phoenix Cinema. We conducted an extended warm-up to prepare for the weather, then tackled litter on the High Street, filling four bags. Amidst the rain, we bonded over conversations with friends, pairing up to ensure everyone had a chance to connect. Our run wasn't just about fitness; it was about strengthening community bonds, rain or shine.

In the heart of East Finchley, a group of spirited individuals gathered at the historic Phoenix cinema, ready to embark on a mission of community transformation. GoodGym Barnet's latest endeavor promised an evening of camaraderie, purpose, and positive impact.

As twilight descended, the team set off towards Martin Primary School, fueled by a shared commitment to enhancing the local environment. With wheelie bins, wheelbarrows, shovels, and rakes in tow, our runners converged on the forest paths, determined to breathe new life into the landscape.

Against the backdrop of a starlit sky, laughter and banter filled the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere of camaraderie. As woodchip was spread along the trails, bonds were strengthened, and friendships forged, making every moment a testament to the power of community spirit.

As the evening drew to a close, GoodGym Barnet returned to the Phoenix cinema, their mission accomplished to do a warmdown stretch.

Thanks for coming running and doing some good!