This was apparently a near record breaking day as far as temperatures go, this scorching summer showing no signs of easing off. It actually reminds me of being on holiday as a child when it's this warm, tugging gently on the threads of the past, images of me running across a beach in the south of France aged ten and full of possibilities.

So I was in a great mood when I arrived at St John's Court, a sheltered home for over a hundred residents, to be greeted by Peta and Anne and instructed on what help they needed for this visit.

We were back out where we had been last time, at the front entrance but this time trimming bushes and tidying up the beds to make the front of house look great.

GoodGymmers Ruth, Emily, Kam and Meyrick were in superb form as usual and we made an enormous contribution to this piece of work in the short time we had.

We are due back there again in September for anyone interested, this is one of our great repeat missions and helps improve the lives of a great many people.

Once again it was a privilege to marshal for the junior parkrun at Odd Down in Bath. Handing out high fives to the young runners who pounded the cycle circuit full of enthusiasm, determination and pride.

The 2k route is quite a challenge to small legs but this lot aren’t quitters. Neither was GoodGym Bath’s Tanya who not only made her way up the hill to lend a hand but then headed into town for a yoga session. Exhausting.

83 children took part this week - many of them with parents in tow. I suspect there will be even more next month when the holidays are over.

We’re back at Odd Down Sports Ground in October - GoodGym has four spaces for marshals. Why not join us?

To quote Ruth, we achieved ‘allot’ in an hour helping tidy Newbridge Primary School’s allotment. It needed a whole allota love indeed; the small beds, compost bins and surrounding area had been left for the bindweed to cover and choke everything in its wake. Surprisingly some hardy rhubarb and strawberry plants had continued to grow, fighting for space amidst it all.
Ruth, Tanya, Cosmo and Kate set to the task at hand with lots of energy, focusing initially on one bed, removing all the weeds and bindweed that got in their way. Once this was achieved and it was time to add some fresh new plants! Chives, Rosemary and Basil were added to the edges and no doubt the children will be greeted with the lovely fragrance as they walk by. Flowers were also added for a bit of colour. It was an hour well spent, and we’ve had a thank you from the headmaster for our contribution (true story). Good work all, and hopefully will be invited back to help finish the job.

Once again it was a privilege to marshal at the weekly junior parkrun that takes place at Odd Down cycle circuit in Bath.

Dozens of children aged between 4 and 14 made their way round the 2k course often accompanied by their parents to make it a whole family affair.

They went round with determination etched on their faces and you knew the pride they would feel at the finish.

Our task was to cheer them on and it was great to see the young runners put on an extra spurt as we encouraged them. This time, instead of a giant foam hand giving out high fives, I was in charge of a cow bell. I hope the neighbours didn’t object at the noise.

It’s good to be part of something that is of such benefit to children’s welfare. The junior parkrun Health and Wellbeing survey in 2024 found that three in four children feel happier after taking part in a junior parkrun. It’s not just about happiness – 65% of children said they feel proud of themselves and 57% feel more confident.

GoodGymer Tanya should also be feeling proud after making her way up the hill to the task and running back down afterwards.

When cab drivers want to start work in London they have to prove they have “the knowledge” - an intimate understanding of the city’s streets and locations.

I suspect something similar operates among the posties of Bath. Key information about roads and the secret numbering of houses that can only be passed on to other postmen and women, leaving the rest of us bemused.

On Tuesday I navigated the intricacies of Newton Road and Redland Park and found myself up all sorts of alleys and along trails of disappearing house numbers. It was Bath GoodGym’s mission to deliver flower show leaflets to the area on behalf of the Twerton and Whiteway Community Network.

A hundred of them found their target doormats and will, I hope, inspire the householders to go along to the event on Saturday 14 June, reviving an old tradition and bringing the community together.