Tonight was the celebration of 9 years of goodgym in Cardiff, and what those years have given us.

We have helped 70 charities, community groups, schools and religious institutions on our group tasks alone. (Missions not included). Totaling a whopping 5596 volunteer slots and an impressive 2798 volunteering hours.

Plenty of more stats to come, but before then let’s get to the task. It seemed logical to help out the Samye Foundation, as they top the number 1 spot with 67 group tasks. Once Lorraine had confirmed our task Michael got to work planning a picnic under their beautiful gazebos.

But before we Celebrate we have to get those deeds in.

GoodGym started in Cardiff back in 2016, May 23rd. I remember it well, being on that first task and run. As a solo runner it was quite daunting, but now nine years on I look back on all the things we’ve done with smiles and laughter, and with a great group of new friends.

So to the task, we had a good long list of things to do tonight, a great way to work up an appetite.

Weeding

• Front entrance gate
• Side gate
• The three doorways
• 3 vegetable barrels in the garden area
• Any other pavement area (if time)

Plus * Empty old plant pots of dead matter * Move the (heavy) umbrella stand from the back garden to the gazebos out front. * Empty the greenhouse, organise and place back. * Sweep – everything.

No time to wait, there’s a lot to do. Everyone grabbed their tools (ooh er), and picked there task from the list. We had a healthy number of volunteers tonight helping out, so we should manage most of the list.

Martin was wisterical with his sweeping brush, as he tidied up those gazebo floors.

Ellen, Dylan, Emily and Lucy the compost crew, got to work out back emptying pots, weeding barrels and all in the name of new life from composting.

Jake went rogue.... And after initially wedding the path decided there was a bush that needed pruning back. He’s certainly had the practise on some of our tasks this year.

Llion the organiser, straight to the greenhouse duties.

Darren and Dave were paving the way as they got in-between the cracks to clean up.

Dylan multi-task Tuesday, carried that beast of an umbrella stand and then got to work weeding the doorways.

Adam the gate master, couldn’t wait to get behind that huge gate and get those weeds and leaves gone. All helped with the perfume of the surrounding roses.

Aaron, another sweeping delight, getting those doorways swept before joining the weeding teams.

But then... Began bucket wars... Our resident bin jumper (Martin) had already found his new slogan - "If there’s a bucket or a bin I’m gonna get in". But newcomer Aaron seemed to be looking for that title......

Who wore that bin better?

Wendy joined us slightly later, but worked those guns carrying the ?tub? of weeds to the compost Corner. Michael and Lorraine were busy, photos galore and getting the food together. Michael had got some bits and bobs so was busy popping them in the picnic area. Lorraine was adding some bits from Samye, a great collaboration of food preparation. Everyone sat down, ate and enjoyed. A few group photos tonight, including the goodgym flag. Then it was time to run back, Michael Dylan and Ellen stayed to help Lorraine tidy up as extra thanks for allowing us the space to celebrate. Once everyone was back at the Glassworks, we had a few additional goodgymers join us for the late night celebrations.

Time for CAKE

Michael got the cakes from the kitchen, thanks to the Glassworks for storing them for us. And special thanks go the Mel at the Secret Garden Cafe in Bute Park for making them for us, she is also the star that got the Community Orchard up and running.

Great time had, thanks to each and every GoodGymer, past and present. Without you we would not exist.

Our top 10 are as below....

But over the last year our top 10 look a little different....

Here’s to the next year.

7 Goodgym folks ran to Global Gardens for the first of two visits there in April. For todays task we took to the lane to cut back the bushes and weeds that were spilling out from the allotment.

We all got to work with our secateurs, snipping away at the stingy nettles and overhanging bushes. It was therapeutic and rewarding work and we were making good progress.

Pants People (TOTP reference for you young folks!)

Jonny worked tirelessly trying to rescue an old pair of pants from the top of the bushes. Y? Coz he was briefs undie a spell!

We had taken two wheel barrows to transport the cuttings back into Global Gardens, but soon the lane was awash with greenery that the barrows could not cope with! I think it was Martin who realized the pile we needed to transport the offcuts to was just over the fence!.... Cut to...... all 7 of us trying to lob the piles of leaves, branches and nettles over the fence! ;o) Michael went around and kindly climbed aboard the bramble pile and stomped it into submission!

Stick Stick Stick Sticky Stick Stick

Once we had finished Ben fashioned a stick to help clear up the smaller leaves and twigs left in the absence of a broom. It was no Penny Lane, but it was a tidier lane!

We ran back in the drizzle for a well earned drink and chat in the pub.