Achy Rakey Tarp

I was so excited this evening to see some old faces return to GoodGym after a break, not only that but we welcomed a mahoosive five new runners to the GG York gang. Let's give a big hearty Yorkshire cheer to:

• Abi
• Sam
• Alice
• Bob
• Kai

Our task was to rake up cuttings (which had been scythed earlier in the day) from the wildflower meadow in West Bank Park and move them to four new composting bins using wheelbarrows and tarps. Not only that, but we were also tasked with cutting back overgrown brambles and nettles which were encroaching on the path AND putting up a flag.. phew! With lots to do and 30 minutes on the clock, the team set to work.

Kristina, the task owner, warned us to be careful of frogs and hedgehogs. In less that a minute, we had found our first frog.

I've got a frog in my glove! - Lizzie

There were some bonus good deeds going on as runners scooped the tiny frogs and returned them safely to the pond. Sam, Freya and Abi were all on excellent form with the animal rescue.

Meanwhile, Team Pitchfork (potentially picture of the night) had dismantled the fronts of the composting bins and were turning over the old compost, waiting for the first of the tarps to arrive.

It was hard work as piles of grass were loaded up onto the big tarps, dragged over and lifted into the composting bins.

This is awesome, look at this teamwork! - Christine

Tim and Alice went off to sort out the flag and then joined in with the frantic last ten minutes as everybody worked quickly to get the last of the grass off the meadow. Everybody except Becky and Ellie who were recovering from epic bramble removal by scoffing some blackberries.

With the task polished off bang on time, we headed off to complete a tough five minute, 'on the minute' HIIT workout and played some partner games including the infamous Plank Tag.

If that wasn't enough, we ran back via Holgate Windmill for five minutes of hill reps before a steady run back to base.

Did you know this roundabout won "Roundabout of the Year in 2012?" - Paul, citing quite extraordinary local knowledge. You can read the remarkable story here.

All in all a great night at GoodGym York.