On a sunny Monday evening, 7 Goodgymmers met with Lark Lane Neighbourhood Association to help spruce up one of the cities’ liveliest streets. We were tasked with some weeding and a general litter pick.

With memories of Eurovision celebrations fresh in our minds we were expecting to be faced with quite the task! But it was rather a tale of two halves. On the way down the lane we found tonnes of litter; cigarette butts, ice cream spoons, vapes, you name it. Not to mention some rather strange things in the flower beds.

However, we were pleasantly surprised to find the other half of the street to be much cleaner! We still managed to retrieve five whole bags of litter and Pauline did a rather wonderful job of weeding the beds.

Well done everyone, we definitely left the lane in a much better state than we found it and it was lovely to get so many positive comments from the locals. All in all a great way to spend a sunny Monday.

The nights just get lighter and lighter which is a joy. Tonight we worked on the task in the light AND the dry - wowww!!! When we arrived at the task the LCV crew had been working hard already - we all got stuvk into clearing the litter moss (and dog poo!!) from what turned out to be a lovely cobbled area. The moss was reused by being placed in a nearby field so all the wildlife can continue to make use of this wonderful resource. There were areas of horsetail/marestail and after some googling and allomenteer knowledge we seperated that out to be dealt with on its own. It was a real team effort with people shovelling hoeing sweeping transporting. The time flew past and we have arranged to go back to complete the task next week.

Well what larks we had this evening.

Heetu and Sallyann ran from Lark Lane to the meeting place just in case there was anyone joining us - we then ran back to Lark Lane to meet everyone. Well done Heetu for a week back and a 4 mile run before she picked a piece of litter up.

At Lark Lane the group met Helen who had sent up the Lark Lane Wombles. She provided us with the litter pickers and bags and explainedthat the wombles had been out so once we had cleared any litter from the lane itself we could go into the surrounding streets (underground overground........ anyone remember this?) . Despite Lark Lane being full of cafes, bars and take aways it was remarkably clear - its obvious that the newly formed Wombles are doing a great job - however we still found during an hour we filled 8 bags of rubbish.

It was a lovely atmosphere and we had many kindly and funny comments: people thanking us, one man asking where are capes were (as he thought we were super heroes) the answer back was in the wash.... another laughingly sayingi t was late for community service before thanking us with a broad smile, a shout outofthanks from a seond floor window and roses given by the local florist as a thank you. Very quickly the night was over - 8 litter bags piled up and photos taken (thanks to Carys for the group photo)

Meeting early in the morning on a weekday isn't a usual GoodGym Liverpool occurrence but what better way to celebrate the shortest day of the year then running with the rising sun, and in the utterly beautiful setting of Otterspool Prom with the sun glistening across the water.

The morning started with 4 early birds setting off together for a walk/run, Emma, Jo, Jennifer and the lovely Max who joined us all the way from GoodGym Sheffield! Pauline was delayed and told the group to run on ahead and she'd catch up, but she then managed to run in the opposite direction and did twice the miles of everyone else (Pauline is a GoodGym legend who always goes the extra mile!) And our 6th Goodgymer (Me!) walked from home (about an hours walk) and was there to greet the group on their way back, in time to all go for breakfast in the fabulous Otterspool Adventure Centre Cafe

Despite a little light drizzle and brisk December temperatures, the sun was glorious and sharing some social time (and breakfast) together was a lovely way to end our year in GoodGym Liverpool and see in Christmas!

We love our new tradition so much, we've already listed the session for 2023, so join us, the sunshine, and the breakfast next year!