🥶 Tonight was the night for a bumper turnout (37 people!), particularly impressive given the dark and chilly conditions. Nevertheless, we all gathered at the Ackhorne, including 3 newcomers - Tamsyn, Ellie and Julian - who we welcomed warmly. We then celebrated some epic achievements, including applauding everyone who tackled the Dalby Dash yesterday. We also had the cape of glory for not one but three heroes for tonight, we celebrated Amy's 400th good deed, Cara's 300th and Kit's 50th. Oh, and it was Laura's birthday. Amazing stuff 🦸

🚲 Vicky led a cycling group while Ed led the runners to the carriageworkers memorial arch - a particular impressive structure when lit up! (And one that lots of us had somehow never noticed before...)

🌸 There, we were met by the council environment team with tools and instructions to rotivate a (particularly long) strip ready for wildflower planting. Despite some initial confusion as to what we were meant to be doing, we soon got to work with enthusiasm, with our various tools. Jen had particularly impressive technique that led to some very uniform-looking rotivations (not sure that's a word...) Meanwhile, George had very kindly given away the most useful tools so contributed good chat and skipping advice, ready for the fitness session.

💪 Speaking of which, after an atmospheric group photo, we were led down the road (to much grumbling from our local GoodGymmers who were being led further away from home) for our fitness session. Vicky had set up circuits with 6 stations, including skipping, which caused lots of amusement as we admired some very different styles. Running while balancing rings on our heads was another challenge, as was running backwards (which may have led to a minor collision but I believe everyone was fine afterwards!) Sore quads from yesterday's Dalby Dash were starting to show themselves in the adaptations required of some of the exercises!

⏰ Soon, it was time to head back to base (or straight home for some of the cheeky locals, including one who 10 minutes earlier had claimed that wasn't an option...Not mentioning any names, Ed...)

🏃‍♀️ James very helpfully stepped up to lead the runners back while Vicky led the cyclists. Soon, we were back at base, stretching and hearing about everything that's coming up this week.

🍰 Laura and David had kindly brought cake, which was greatly appreciated and enjoyed, both outside and then in the pub. Jenna had done a sterling job lugging a huge number of Disability Week booklets in her pannier, which need delivering. Some heroes took some to deliver but there are still lots more. So if anyone's able to help with this this week, please contact Jenna directly (or Vicky/Ed who can put you in touch with Jenna if that's easier).

👏 What a night! Thanks everyone, for some great good-deeding, and hopefully see you all again soon!

*10 points for anyone who spotted the (probably quite obscure) Beyonce song reference...

Age UK ran their first 'Race the Boat' event in York. This was an over 50's race organised by our very own Carl Wain which entailed a race down the river to beat a York Boat. GG were invited to help with running this first event, hopefully in view of future races!

Mitch led a warm up before the boat gave three bellows of the horn. Time for the race to start! Our marshall's Charlotte, Dom and James were already in position, as well as our trusty timekeepers Rebecca, David and James, and finally Laura was prepped for time conversion and certificate writing.

After 20 minutes or so, and a smooth operation, the race was finished, with lots of happy runners excited to do it again next year.

Well done Carl, it was an amazing event.

Lots to celebrate tonight. Parkrun pbs for Neil and Claire, Claire hitting 300 and Nick completing a triathlon. We also welcomed Beth to her first group run and Katie who was visiting from Edinburgh.

We named and numbered off saying our favourite beverage in honour of national beer drinking day. There was a surprising amount of tea and coffee!

We then off to Holgate allotments. A select few were tasked with clearing the communuty orchard - Kit and Jane looked to be having a lot of fun the lawnmower. The remainder of the group collected tools and set to work on digging over an overgrown plot. Due to the high concentration of goodgymers we made rapid progress, leaving the plot ready for new tenants. And if that wasn't enough Nick, Claire and Michael went hunting for balsam in the beck!

We finished off with a game of catch squat, with Ed's team getting very excited over their victory!

Thanks team, another bumper week.

Saturday evening sunshine meant there was no better place to be than getting stuck into some GoodGym gardening!

Tonight’s mission was weeding and removing black plastic — a satisfying combination of pulling, clearing and uncovering what had been hiding underneath. The weeds didn’t stand a chance as we worked our way through the area, while the stubborn plastic put up a bit more of a fight!

With plenty of sunshine, teamwork and fresh air, we soon had the area looking much tidier. Who needs Saturday night fever when you’ve got Saturday night weeding fever? 🌱💪

Seven select York GGers and 2 dogs listened to & actually followed the Organisers instructions. We welcomed newcomer Libby who set too with gusto with team gazebo. Amazing effort on a not so lazy Sunday morning. 1 large & 3 regular gazebos were speedily erected, whilst many chairs and tables and water weights were carried & barrowed across the park. The organisers were delighted at our efficiency in helping get the park ready for the annual fayre. Thankyou everyone.

We are becoming regulars here and its always a nice task at the bowls club. always assured of a friendly welcome and thanks galore. With 5 of us hot footing from the clothes swap we were joined by Ben and Ellie. With Pete on barrow duties the other 6 took up the shovels and soon made short work down the side of the access rd. No cake but the home made tea loaf was delicious....