Some of the usual suspects braved the chilly weather and made their way down to Valentines Park to assist run director Wendy in making sure parkrun went ahead safely.

• Ed was at his usual spot guarding the main car park entrance
• Kathryn kept track and timed all the finishers
• Peter assisted at the 2nd car park by forming a human bollard guarding a spot of ice right where the parkrunners would turn the corner.

P.S. hope you feel better soon James P.P.S that skyin looked pretty chilly as well Julia

Any Time, Any Place, Any Pace: December Litter Picks

December wrapped up our monthly “any time, anywhere” litter pick, and what a lovely way it was to end 2025 quietly, locally, and with lots of small acts adding up to something meaningful.

Huge thanks to everyone who took part this month, and to those who’ve been dipping in and out right across the year. Whether you picked for five minutes on a dog walk, filled one bag, or tackled a bigger hotspot, it all counts and it all matters.

We had some brilliant moments: • A festive litter pick along the Snoopy Trail, where a couple of enthusiastic children joined in by spotting bits we’d missed (future GoodGymmers in the making!). • A determined clean-up along the River Quaggy that started as a “quick pick” and turned into multiple bags of bottles, cans and polystyrene. • Solo picks, shared picks, daylight picks, and “I’ll just do this bit while I’m out” picks.

That’s really the joy of this mission. No pressure. No fixed time. No big logistics. Just being active, present, and community-minded wherever you happen to be.

Why litter picking works • It’s easy to fit into everyday life • It’s quietly satisfying (that bag fills up faster than you expect!) • It sparks conversations and curiosity • It makes you notice – and care about – your local patch a little more • And it’s one of the simplest ways to turn a walk, run, or dog outing into a good deed

As we roll into 2026, let’s keep this going – and see if we can pull a few more people along with us. Bring a friend. Borrow a picker. Snap a photo. Write a few lines. That’s all it takes.

If you’d like to get involved, need a litter picker, or fancy being added to the WhatsApp group for gentle nudges and shared motivation, just let me know. This is GoodGym at its most accessible – and most human.

Thanks again to everyone who’s been part of this through 2025. Let’s get properly stuck into 2026