Superbarkchip Sweep

It was another evening of celebrations as we marveled at Team Gover for having a crack at another absolutely bonkers endurance event, all the amazing York 10k performances, a successful fell race (and Emily's win) AND the elite squad of Leanne, Paul Kelly and Stef representing at the GG Olympics. What a weekend!

Tonight we welcomed along Izzy to her first ever group run, and we split into two teams with Tim and Mitch leading a group to Glen Gardens to shift around 10 tonnes of bark whilst I led the other group to the Groves to start a new project with Flower Power.

Tim's Glen Gardens Report

Our task was expertly lead out by vice-president of the task Mitch. When we arriving it took us a moment to locate task owner Iain and his massive pile of woodchip. We like a good pile, so were pleased with the simple task of moving the big pile of bark to a flowerbed, to help stop the weed grow back.

With expert raking and direction from our ladies who rake, Lauren, Lindsay, Jackie and Amy, we quickly had the whole area filled with bark. Despite some of our more naughty members playing some bumper barrows with the wheelbarrows. I am looking at you Katie and Craig!

Spotting some spare hands, we got to work speed weeding so we could tip all of the last woodchips into the flowerbeds. Whilst Rich and Barbara sneaked off for some extra secret lopping behind the basketball courts.

We swept up the last of the woodchips to keep the beautiful Glen Gardens clean and tidy and we dashed off to join Egg's crew for fit-tastic fitness sesh!

Egg's Flower Power Report

In the Groves we were welcomed by the lovely Mamta who told us a bit about Flower Power and their project to 'Green up the Groves', which is a residential area in York with very little green space. Our task was to initiate the transformation of a small corner plot into what will be a beautiful colourful flower bed.

It's too early in the season for planting but we had to edge the new flower bed border, dig out the turf whilst retaining as much soil as possible and turn over the soil to remove any weeds and roots. Maddy found herself spadeless and wondering how she could be helpful.

I'll let you shake my grass! - Leanne

The team made quick progress with edgers carefully carving out little squares which could be easily extracted by spaders. Our task officially ended when the Glen Gardens group ran over to join us and we'd just dug out the last section when they arrived. They even managed to photobomb our group shot.

We all headed into Park Grove Academy for our fitness session using their wooden outdoor play equipment. In pairs, everyone had to take turns in doing shuttle runs and a variety of exercises including:

• box jumps
• hurdles
• beam presses
• the floater
• uneven squats

Then we had a steady run back with Mitch doing a solo sprint finish. Both Huw and Becky provided some excellent cakes this week.

It's just generic cake. To celebrate running (Huw)

Marianne suggested that we're missing a trick by not advertising all the cake when people sign up to sessions but we love to keep it as a really amazing secret bonus!

Pun credit, Ed Woollard