Bath has been marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen and a week ago thousands of people in regency costume promenaded through the city in celebration

It was a wonderful sight but a far cry from Bath’s issues with homelessness or residents facing domestic violence. That was addressed this Sunday when more than 450 hardy people - and some dogs like Swifty - took part in a 20 mile walk around the city in aid of Julian House.

The charity supports vulnerable and at-risk people. These include adults and young people experiencing homelessness, escaping domestic abuse, adults with learning difficulties and people needing support after leaving prison. The Circuit of Bath Walk is Julian House’s main fundraising event of the year and participants raise huge amounts of money through sponsorship, donations and buying the occasional official T-shirt.

That 20 mile walk is certainly no stroll in the park. It takes in Bath’s famous seven hills as well as some nasty steep and slippery bits. One walker turned his ankle on the way round but still managed to complete the route. They were certainly a hardy lot.

The event was organised with military precision by the charity and that is where GoodGym came in - helping to man the one of the checkpoints along the way. This included cheering the walkers home, stamping their progress on their maps and awarding them special medals for completing the challenge. It was certainly a privilege to witness and encourage their achievement.

Jane Austen never dwelled on the poverty of her time and even today Bath is seen as an affluent place. We have to rely on the efforts of charities like Julian House to tackle that grim underbelly and hope the contribution of our time helps a little.

Four GoodGymers ventured out on what promised to be a dry September evening. However, no sooner had they arrived at St John’s Court, did it decide to rain! For a few minutes they took shelter in the lobby willing the shower to end: they only had a precious hour to work their GoodGym magic on the outside space earmarked for the evening’s task.

The rain did stop and they set to with much GoodGym spirit. Cutting back the bushes, pulling up the weeds and making the front area of the building look nice and tidy. Such was their enthusiasm that they finished a tad early which allowed them a good old chin wag about future GoodGym tasks and possibilities.

As the evenings are now pulling in, the next scheduled event at St John’s, can you believe it, will be putting up the Christmas decorations! Thanks for a lovely evening all!

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.