We get asked to do a lot of random stuff at GoodGym Newcastle but after five years its rare that there is a true "first" and we got one tonight!

We love to help our friends at Stepney Bank Stables who kindly loan us the use of their facilities and allow us to store our stuff every week. Tonight to help them prepare for a big renovation job at the working stables, we'd been asked to come and measure each of the stables ahead of the big overhaul. Thankfully in freezing cold rain, this task was under cover and we were even joined by horsey friends Polly and Maestro.

This required steady hands, careful precision and excellent handwriting and this team was just the ticket. Stables expertly measured, forms filled in and horses patted before trotting back to the main building.

We finished off tonight with some Pilates exercises timed by my bleepy timer then some deep breathing exercises to set us up for a good week.

Stepney Bank Stables could do with some support. If you can spare anything at all, please donate to their JustGiving page.

Despite the awful weather beforehand, it turned out to be a brilliant Saturday Morning for GoodGym Newcastle as we helped the Ouseburn Trust.

I stepped in to help Anji (resting up with a poorly/painful knee, get well soon!) as we met together for the first time in 2023 at the entrance of Stepney Bank Stables. We did a brief informal introduction to GoodGym and got to know each other with names etc.

11 GoodGymers in total (kudos and a huge congratulations to Jay, Anna, Beth and Florence for their first ever GoodGym good deed) which is an amazing start to the New Year. It was great to welcome Dan back from University (also a regular at GoodGym Bath)

We then took a short walk to meet Dave, the legendary task owner for the Ouseburn Trust, and Martin, another regular/keen volunteer. Dave gave a brief talk about the Ouseburn Trust and the tasks that the volunteers get involved with.

Our task today was litter picking, we soon set off on our way with litter pickers, gloves, and bin bags, together as a group, chatting and getting to know each other whilst picking up rubbish.

As you can see in the photos we collected a lot of litter! Shout out to Louise for finding a toilet (?!) in the hedge and Tanya/Debs found something random made out of metal (no idea, maybe something mechanical?)

Thankfully the weather improved and the sun appeared as we finished. Come along and join us on Monday (Louise is super keen to deliver a fitness session as part of her run leader training for GG) All abilities definitely welcome!