Friday evenings weather was a little overcast when John from Everton Community Garden opened the gates. Cries of "it's due to rain at 7" echoed around as a sudden gust of wind caused one of the gazebos to try and make an escape down Prince Edwin Street! A quick search for ropes and bags of sand, ensured they stayed put for the rest of the evening. Kevin was a dab hand at the barbeque, with hotdogs and burgers at the ready, along with the bar, trays of cakes and some gorgeous freshly pressed apple juice, of which I couldn't get enough of.

Soon enough it was time for the auction. Bids flew all over for the large baskets of fresh produce. Then it was time for the odd shaped piece. The Tromboncino.

Silence as the auctioneer tried to get it going. "£3" whispered SallyAnn, and without further ado, she was the proud owner of a member of the squash family . Another member, Leo, found himself now owning a MacBook case for a whole pound.

One guest asked if I was a volunteer, so I took the chance to big us all up and tell him about Goodgym.

"Oh yes, I've seen you. You're like a gardening flashmob. You come in, do a load of weeding, then disappear into the night"

Soon, another great evening came to an end. As a newish member of goodgym, it was great to be invited to a social event, where we could down tools and get to know each other without being scratched by brambles or asking if there was a spare pair of loppers!

Can't wait for the next one!

In today’s age of dazzling lights and constant motion, the humble glow of a candle may seem too faint, too insignificant to notice. Yet, in many forgotten corners of our cities, such small lights can shine brightest, offering warmth, encouragement, and hope where they are needed most.

In line with the ongoing community efforts of GoodGym, our group received a call for cooperation from such a corner of the city. It was a place that, though overlooked, had long served as a quiet beacon for the surrounding houses. Years ago, the locals had transformed part of their neighborhood into a small green space: a table and several large planters stood there, inviting but worn, needing care and attention. Dust and erosion had left their marks, but not their spirit.

Our group arrived in three stages to restore this space. The table and planters were carefully sanded, with two planters freshly painted. The area was swept clean, giving it back its charm and freshness. While some members worked on sanding, pruning, and tidying, others collected stray items scattered around the neighborhood. The energy was high, the atmosphere warm and lively.

The day became even more special with the arrival of two new members and the long-awaited presence of Ema. Some of us had known Ema only through chats and emails, but meeting her in person added a new spark. Her kind words and cheerful presence doubled the warmth of the gathering.

Yes, in that small corner of the city, we lit a candle once again. The joy was visible not only among us but also in the smiles and gestures of the locals, some waving from their cars as they passed by. Their response was proof that even the smallest light can rekindle a sense of connection and belonging.

After completing the restoration, we shared a short reflection together and then, with a smile, visited what we jokingly named “Ema Lake.” In truth, it was no grand lake at all, just a small pond surrounded by plants, but since Ema had mentioned it a few times, the name stuck and added a lighthearted touch to the day. Standing there, laughing together, it felt like the perfect closing to a day of meaningful work, fun, and renewed friendships.

On a particularly humid Monday, a crew of Liverpool Good Gymers headed to The Greenhouse Community Centre on Lodge Lane with the aim of doing some good! Heetu led the run from the suitcases with her usual enthusiasm, meeting others at the task. Sian even perserved with a broken single-pedal bike to get there on time!! We were all very excited to find out that this tasked marked 150(!!!) good deeds performed by Sally Ann!! A fantastic achievement, truly worth celebrating. So grateful and proud to have her as part of Good Gym Liverpool. Some of the team soon got stuck in weeding around the greenhouse centre whilst others started the arduous task of shoveling and transporting mulch to various areas around the building. By the end of the task a large part of the grounds was well-weeded and covered with an even level of mulch. Some of the team had also managed to litter pick the surrounding area, helped by Sam, a member of the local community. At the end of the session, the grounds were looking particularly tidy and we were all pleased to have helped out and had some exercise doing so. Well done to all.