This evening’s GoodGym task was a really special one, as we celebrated our 3rd birthday back at Aldermoor Farm, the very place where GoodGym Southampton began three years ago! Before we even lifted a tool, Ellie was busy dishing out birthday headwear. Bunny ears, birthday hats, tiaras and even a chicken were among the options, all enthusiastically (?) worn by the group. We paused for a group photo holding a birthday banner, making it clear from the outset that this was a special evening for us all.

We had a fantastic turnout and a real mix of GoodGymers, which made the evening even more meaningful. It was lovely to see Hannah, Lauren and Derek, who we hadn’t seen for a while and also to have people who have only started their GoodGym journey this year with us, alongside members who have been with us right from the beginning — a brilliant reminder of how welcoming and supportive GoodGym is. We also welcomed Jason from GoodGym Leeds, who happened to be visiting Southampton and decided to enjoy a spot of GoodGym tourism while he was here.

We had been set a task to cut back the big hedges which had become very overgrown, along with removing the sycamores, pruning the willow, cutting back plants to widen the paths and litter‑picking outside the farm. Just as we had started, we were joined by a journalist from the Daily Echo, who had come along to find out more about what GoodGym is all about. Wilson and Ellie both happily chatted away about how wonderful GoodGym Southampton is, while other members shared their own GoodGym journeys and what being part of the group means to them.

The task was completed and the area we had cut backed looked much better. Then to make the celebration complete, Ellie treated us all to cake. It was a perfect way to end a brilliant evening.

I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last three years. We really are a wonderful team of beautiful people, all happy to give back and support the community around us. Fingers crossed that when we make the front page, that message comes across loud and clear (though not sure the wacky headwear will help - just glad i wasn't a chicken 🐔)

This was a great task - with GG members from Leicester and Portsmouth also joining in and some new members locally!

Yoyo enjoyed a litter pick along Chilworth Road saying it was good, easy to organise, and it felt great contributing to the community.

Nick from Leicester litterpicked a road into Asfordby village. Two bags of grot plus 2/3 bag of crushed cans left at the wombles Air Ambulance appeal collection point. Adding to the £17k raised so far by collecting and weighing in the cans from across the borough!

Judy from Portsmouth GG tried to litter pick the sandy beaches of Jersey - thought they were very clean so finding litter was tricky!

Jane from Portsmouth GG tidied up the bushes at Milton Park - but wasnt able to catch any of the big big bubbles floating past as she did so!

Sarah filled two bags with litter whilst walking along the River Itchen near Brambridge.

Dave from Portsmouth GG picked locally in Pompey.

Amanda did her litter pick on the way to the pub - sounds like my kinda litter pick!

Ellie filled a bag local to where she lives - not just from her garden!

Wilson filled a bin bag just from her 10 min walk home from work - sad but true.

All these litter picks build up and help to keep our environment clean 😊😊😊

Thank you to everyone who made my 39th birthday extra special by making donations to their local food bank and restocking Southampton City Farms period products. Only a year for the big 4 0 so we'll have to get planning a very very good task for 2027!

Before 9am I'd already run 5 miles, done nursery drop off and done a litter pouch. Even better because it was bin collection day -general waste in one area and recycling in another so I didn't even have to take any of it home. Taking the rest of the day off to polish my halo....

We started out directing in the car park, then marshalled for a while before trying out a new task of barcode scanning. Turns out it's really easy and a great way to chat to lots of people

We acted as super subs at Ganger Farm parkrun. Starting out with a bit of car park directing and turning the too tall vans around, and then following it up with some cheer practice distracting everyone on the back straight with our marshalling

Back to our friends at Southampton city farm tonight where they had an inside task for us. We were tasked with filling bags of hay to feed the goats ready for their open day this weekend and folding and stapling leaflets. We got to welcome Hannah back on a Monday night after her maternity leave, great to have you back!

Everyone dug into filling bags with hay and Chris and Helen were on crate cleaning duty to store the bags. We soon worked out that hay gets quite dusty and Wilson won the crown for most sneezes of the evening. Special mention to Ellie for most sneezes in a row. Some of us then moved onto leaflets while the rest continued with hay bagging.

After an hour of hay bagging, leaflet folding and stapling and crate cleaning and packing we were all grateful for a break for some maths where Hannah worked out we had packed 240 bags! A massive accomplishment.