It was great to be able to host a table at the annual Coppetts Wood Festival this year - the site where Paul signed me up to Goodgym for the first time two years ago. This time we had a small table with flyers, though back then Paul had the full TinyForest layout, with calipers and everything.

Richard joined me for the first couple of hours, and we started in Goodgym fashion, helping Sue the Willow Weaver put up her marquee in record time. The band started playing and people arriving, so we set to spreading cheer and chatting to passersby. Richard then set off to do some training for a marathon, and I stayed for the long haul, then helped Sue pack down her marquee and the Coppetts Wood Conservationists with their tables and stalls.

A GG volunteer joined Andy and the Friends of Stephens House & Gardens to assist with the installation of a new accessible bench located between the raised gardens and the main lawn area.

The task involved carefully lifting, moving, and positioning a heavy bench into its designated location. Due to the weight of the bench, volunteers worked together to ensure the move was completed safely and efficiently. Appropriate care was taken throughout the process, with volunteers wearing suitable footwear and using safe lifting techniques.

The installation was completed successfully within a short period of time. The new bench will provide improved accessibility, comfort, and seating opportunities for visitors to Stephens House & Gardens, particularly for those who may benefit from accessible resting spaces within the gardens.

The activity demonstrated positive teamwork and community spirit while supporting the ongoing improvements made by the Friends group to maintain and enhance this valued local green space.

Another great session, this time with Richard for his first climb. We had a long, leisurely time, warming up, touring the centre and trying out various bouldering problems, getting used to the different routes, blocks and grips. Richard bravely clambered his way up to the top of several walls and managed to maintain his grin and his grip! We wrapped up at the end with a snack in the veggie/vegan cafe.

As always, let me know if you want to try it out in the comments and I'll get in touch.

Eleven wonderful GoodGym Barnet members joined us on Tuesday evening for our first group run to Long Lane Pasture this year — and what a lovely return it was.

With longer evenings and kinder weather finally on our side, most of us gathered at the Phoenix Cinema for a warm-up involving kickbacks, knee-ups and a few brisk movements to get the heart rate up before the 1.5-mile run to the nature reserve.

After numbering up, we had a quick chat about famous relatives, unusual jobs and curious family histories. Among the ancestral highlights were general’s, repossession agents, wedding dress designers and several other unexpected occupations. Clearly, GoodGym Barnet has a rich and slightly suspicious gene pool.

Then we headed off, with George kindly back-marking, keeping everyone together as we made our way towards Long Lane Pasture. En route, we paused under the bridge for a group photo — naturally taken with everyone in a squat position, because why simply stand around when you can turn it into a thigh workout?

At the pasture we were welcomed by Donald, and the place looked absolutely magnificent: lush, green, peaceful and full of evening birdsong. We quickly got to work collecting woodchip and loading it into rubble bags, while others helped with litter picking and pruning to keep the paths clear and welcoming.

It really is a beautiful green space. As the sun began to set, we noticed several species of birds singing away, clearly approving of our efforts or possibly telling us to hurry up and leave them in peace.

Before heading back, we finished with a short moment of forest bathing, slowing everything down with some gentle breathing and arm movements. After the running, woodchip hauling, pruning and squatting, it was a lovely way to pause and properly take in the place we had come to help.

Then it was back to the Phoenix Cinema, with a few exercises on the return route to keep everyone together and gently remind our legs that the evening wasn’t quite over yet.

A big thank you to everyone who came along to run, laugh, help out and support this lovely local green space. Long Lane Pasture is looking wonderful — and we were very happy to chip in.