Two Goodgymmers, Theo and George joined the wonderful volunteers at Finchley Memorial Hospital for a session clearing the 'other' kind of beds and then planting some of the displaced sage and lavender plants.

We dug over the dandelions and pulled up pansies, but we left some clover for ground cover until the team are ready to start sowing in their veg. After digging in the shrubs, the volunteers watered everything well. After weeding the bed next to us, volunteers put weed suppressant sheets down in preparation for sowing beans.

The composting, planting and mulching in the raised beds is still not quite finished, so we hope to be back a couple more times in spring to help.

With clear skies above and sturdy legs below, four Goodgymmers stormed into the darkening evening from the Phoenix Cinema. We ran a solid, mostly car-free 3km to the tinyforest, with Kubilay and Theodore. Subham kept the pace up while night scarfed up the tender eye of pitiful day. Starlight hardly pierced the twilight engulfing Lyttleton fields, so we turned on head torches.

On Falloden Way we met Gabonnet and Scarlett, who joined us in the meadow. Dark tracks from the diggers led to the newly turned earthy, where we'll be planting three new tinyforests later this month. Then, in the far corner of the forgotten fields we found the existing tinyforest.

We assembled our three birdfeeders, two with fat balls and one with seeds, entered the forest and hung the feeders on branches. Though stones have been known to move and trees to speak, we heard nary a nightingale nor late blackbird singing for supper, but we'll see what they have taken when we come back next week.

We talked about the impact of the tinyforest, the various citizen science data we could record (in daylight) and the new tinymeadow that should start blooming soon. Then, wishing a fair journey home to Scarlett, Subham and Gabrielle, three of us mustered our mettle for the 3km trek back to the Phoenix.

GoodGym Run Report – Phoenix Cinema to Stephens House & Gardens

Tuesday’s GoodGym run was not just about getting our steps in, but about supporting the incredible volunteers who dedicate their time to making our local spaces better. While we might selfishly enjoy the exercise and social time, we also hope that our efforts show how much we appreciate those who welcome us and give us tasks to do.

Most of the group set off from the Phoenix Cinema, taking a scenic but hilly route through the back streets of East Finchley, while a few met us directly at Stephens House & Gardens. Excitingly, Stephens House is set to host the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow in June! So, if you’ve got a dusty heirloom lying around, check out their website for details and enjoy a visit to the Stables Café while you’re there.

Getting Stuck In at Stephens House & Gardens

On arrival, we were ushered to the back area where we met Helen, Warwick and Alison, who had already set up tools and made a start on the evening’s tasks. With limited time and plenty to do, we threw ourselves into: ✅ Weeding ✅ Brushing & sweeping ✅ Pulling up moss from the terrace ✅ Improving the grass verge

It was great to see Scarlett again, who braved the cool evening to join us for a run. Her enthusiasm, along with the efforts of all the volunteers, helps to boost the morale of those who work tirelessly to keep these community spaces thriving.

Ending with Energy & Gratitude

Before heading home, we finished the session with a Hakra breathing exercise—a way to re-energize before we wrapped up for the night. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who make spaces like Stephens House & Gardens a true jewel in the crown of Finchley.

Most of the group then ran back to the Phoenix Cinema, completing a solid 5K run. And, in a rare stroke of luck, the rain held off just long enough for us to finish.

Thanks to everyone who joined in—see you next time for more running, volunteering, and GoodGym camaraderie!

As all great revolutions begin, this one started outside a cinema. We gathered at the Phoenix Cinema, our traditional launch pad for an evening of good deeds, exercise, and—on this occasion—mildly reckless drinking proposals. Theo, ever the connoisseur of fermented apples, introduced us to his latest home-brewed cider. He assured us it was excellent. We assured him we’d try it after the run, wisely deciding to get going! And so, with Beattie back-marking, we set off. The run itself was delightful—clear skies, crisp air, and a pleasantly quiet route through the streets and the darkened paths of the park. There is something wonderful about running at night: the world feels different, like you’ve stepped into a parallel universe where you can run freely without small dogs, prams, or people staring at you like you’ve lost your way from an athletics meet. Our mission for the evening took us to Northway Gardens, where we met Brian—local park custodian, environmental defender, and the kind of man who could probably hold his own in a debate with a government minister armed only with a clipboard and a well-reasoned argument.

Brian had originally wanted us to tame a hedge, but unfortunately, nature (and the fading daylight) had other plans. Instead, we helped him shift a selection of heavy objects, including a rather large and cumbersome bin—the symbolic weight of which would soon become apparent.

With a little extra time on our hands, Brian took us on an impromptu walking tour of local bureaucracy gone mad. He pointed out a newly installed gate, which—he informed us—cost an alleged £25,000. We all nodded politely, trying to conceal our mild horror. Then came the benches. threeof them. Plus 8 bins. All paid for by the local biodiversity budget, which, in theory, should be spent on things that actively improve biodiversity, rather than—say—providing additional seating for philosophical musings on where all the biodiversity went. To put things in perspective, the total biodiversity budget for the area was £56,000. This meant that nearly half had been spent on one gate. A gate. If this was a biodiversity initiative, then presumably it was designed to allow only the most well-financed badgers through. Brian, ever the committed investigator, was not impressed. And, to be honest, neither were we.

A Movement is Born!

It was at this point that the seeds of revolution were sown. Inspired by Brian’s passionate objections and the rather eye-watering price tag of municipal gates, we began discussing a Party for Parks—a grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring money meant for green spaces is actually spent on green spaces.

Of course, all good political movements need a defining moment, and ours came in the form of the bin relocation. Nothing signals intent quite like a group of people strategically moving a public bin. It was a bold statement—if slightly lacking in the drama of, say, the Boston Tea Party. But still, small steps.

With the revolution officially underway, we jogged back to the Phoenix, where we finished the evening in true revolutionary style—by toasting our efforts with a small, highly alcoholic sample of Theo’s cider.

As all great revolutions should.

On a bright, crisp day, GoodGym members Askan Turisbekov and Theodore Smith took on an important mission at Darlands Nature Reserve—helping clear overgrown brambles to improve the habitat for wildlife.

Congratulations to Askan on his first GoodGym community mission we hope to see you at the Group run soon.

Darlands Nature Reserve, a beautiful woodland and wetland area in Barnet, has recently undergone major restoration work on its historic lake. The goal? Enhancing biodiversity and creating better spaces for wildlife. Our volunteers played a key role in preparing the site for future planting.

Want to get involved? Join us in March for an exciting Tiny Forest planting mission—a hands-on way to support urban biodiversity while getting active.

Sign up now and make a difference!

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