The sun came out for another mission for Mrs L. There was plenty to do in the front garden this time.

I started off chopping and lopping branches from the overhanging trees and ivy bushes, producing a hefty pile of sticks and branches 🌳

After that, I was weeding and sweeping along the path and outside the front gate, before a harsh prune of the rose bush to remove any deadwood.

Following that, there was plenty of weeding, mowing the lawn, removing any self seeded trees, and some tlc for the poppies.

A fruitful and productive session, and likely enough of a thorough trim to see it through the winter.

Another mission for Mr S to continue with maintenance of a much improved garden.

This time I was tackling the brambles towards the corner and along the fence. Lots of heavy lopping of thick brambles, digging out of others, and pulling out any remaining nettles as they cropped up.

Spiky session with a few cuts and grazes worn as a badge of honour, with a hefty pile, plus a full garden bin, of chopped up brambles to show for it.

Thankful for the cup of coffee and a good chat about the squirrels, robins, and wildlife living nearby.

Event 318

🍂 Autumn has certainly arrived, with a bit more rain, wind, puddles, and mud at Fletcher Moss this morning. Well done to all 450 participants for joining us this morning, with 108 people visiting for the first time including 13 completing their first ever parkrun! 👏🌳

Congrats to Rachel and Emma completing their 25th parkrun, Bernadette on your 50th, and Hanhua on reaching your 100 volunteer milestone! 💪 Happy 50th birthday to Dave Thomas too 🎂

🦺 Huge thank you to the 24 volunteers who enabled the event to go ahead, especially those doing roles for the first time 👏

Super task this evening for a magnificent seven GoodGymers in Withington!

🧱 We joined Ed from Withington Walls to give a couple of spaces a thorough clearing in preparation for some upcoming street art pieces.

Robert and Sanjeev start on a wall in the co-op car park, removing the weeds before slapping on a lot of masonry paint as a base layer, Sanjeev opting for the overalls for added protection.

Meanwhile, Jodie put her climbing skills to the test to cover up some street tags high up, and went along with Peter to cover a wall near the Red Lion. Julia filled in some spots near the opticians in Withington, while a team effort of Fanette, Ben, and Peter cleared a lot of brambles and shrubbery from a larger wall before covering it with masonry paint 🎨

We got a lot more covered than expected, covering two large walls plus some smaller, fill-in side quests too. Thankful for head torches and bike lights 🔦🕯 to provide some light, although may need to invest in some portable floodlights in future.

After applying the finishing touches, we cleared up and look forward to seeing what will become of the walls!

After late notice communication from the race organisers, 4 GoodGymers helped out at the start area for the 2026 MCR Half.

Welcome to Noor for coming along to your first GoodGym session!

With blue hi-vis, packed lunch and all important lanyard, we eventually congregated at the start area (4A) to direct runners to the start line and clear the way as wave after wave of runners approached.

With 16 waves, we were as vocal as possible to stop spectators from encroaching onto the route, while also keeping runners in different coloured waves informed when their wave was next up. Keeping the toilet queues compressed to keep the route clear was also required at times.

Towards the end, we began to help gather clothing and jumpers that runners had discarded before the start line, keeping Julia warm in the fresh October morning sunshine. After a final clearing of signage and a gazebo at the start line, we were released to drop off our hi-vis and make our way home.

Informative and interactive evening viewing the People's Emergency Briefing followed by discussions about the current state and what we can do. Lots of discussion around food security, waste, carbon emissions, solar panels, energy security, plus much more.

Earlier in the afternoon, there were stalls and interactive sessions on air quality, eco solutions to household energy and goods, biodiversity, and the local climate groups.

Not many pics due to lots of families and children attending, which was great to see.