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.

Another gardening mission for Mr S after a morning barcode scanning at Alexandra Park parkrun.

With much of the garden cleared, today I was unearthing the root network beneath the surface to reduce the likelihood of more unwanted growth in future.

Lots of digging, pulling, and wriggling free the mass of roots in some places, filling the rest of the garden waste bin and forming a pile and very chunky roots.

There was a 15-20 min blitz to remove some brambles in the back yard too, before catching up over a chat.

Nice late September evening for a run and a pint. No rain, mild, and little wind giving a nice backdrop to a run from Longsight before a loop via Hulme, University of Manchester, and Canal St to converge on Wetherspoons near St Peter's Square.

Good to catch up with Sam chatting about blood donations, the Labour Party conference, and Octopus energy before making our way home.

Hoping for more autumn/winter friendly tasks over the coming months, so keep an eye out.

Super fun yet long day volunteering as part of the GRIT Studios and The Coping CIC Move a Mile event in Stockport.

Initially helped set up some of gazebos and silent disco, before setting near the bus station with the bubble lady, some live music, and preparing for the skate race and flash mob.

Lots of smiling faces and families enjoying the activities as I helped with directions, maps, and general help.

At the end of the day, I helped lug speakers and gazebos back to their storage spot. Great to see so many people!

Saturday September scorcher with bright blue skies and sunshine welcoming Fanette and Ben to Albermarle Allotments for their community allotment muck-in.

🪵 Fanette was on wood chip delivery duty with 5 or 6 barrow runs to cover some of the ground around the new shed base, with some help from the local cats 🐈‍⬛️. The new shed is due to be put together later next week.

🍎 Meanwhile Ben was picking up windfall apples from the community orchard before a thorough strim and cut of the overgrown grass. There was time for filling up a bed with manure and compost to cover for the winter too.

Good cake and coffee as usual ☕️🍰

Hamza went along to help Withington Civic Society with a village litter pick. Plenty of bags collected!