This week we headed to Stephens House and Gardens to support Helen and the brilliant volunteer team who help keep this local gem thriving.

The task? Clear a well-used pathway that had become narrowed by mud and creeping vegetation over the winter months. Armed with spades, forks and plenty of enthusiasm, we scraped back layers of mud, cut back encroaching growth and reshaped the edges.

The result was immediately visible — a wider, cleaner and far more welcoming path, safer underfoot and much more aesthetically pleasing.

Because we were working right on the path, we had lovely interactions with park users throughout the session. Several stopped to thank us, which is always a reminder of the simple but powerful impact of practical volunteering.

Stephens House and Gardens is very much sustained by volunteers and by the local community who support the café and events in the house. If you haven’t visited recently, do pop in — grab a coffee, enjoy the grounds, or consider joining a future volunteering session.

A satisfying morning’s work, good company, and tangible results — exactly what Community Missions are all about.

Another climbing session, this time on a Saturday evening. Paul and I toured the building, picking routes and playing around. The new 'ladder' is good fun - 20 routes, easiest at number 1 and rising up to rock hard at number 20. We found the bonus one in the Loft, with big red pieces and the starting hold just an inch off the floor - a real puzzle for the body, which you'll have to see to make sense of!

I'll try and keep these going roughly every two weeks and, as always, say if you want to try climbing for the first time on a particular day/time, as I can get 5 newbies in per month with my membership!

A few GoodGym members came together to do online yoga.

Yoga talk Holding a posture engages the muscles, fascia, and nervous system, stimulating mild stress that builds strength and stability. But unlike many workouts, yoga follows this with a deliberate release — a moment to soften, breathe, and recalibrate.

On a crisp winter evening, GoodGym Barnet met at the Phoenix Cinema before a sociable 2km run to the local gem that is Stephens House & Gardens — the beautiful 1870s Italianate house set within its much-loved pocket park.

Our task was to polish the house’s unique original pine staircase, crafted from timber believed to be over 300 years old. Armed with beeswax and cloths, we spread ourselves along the steps, carefully feeding the wood and bringing it back to life. It was warm, satisfying work — and a meaningful way to help reduce maintenance costs for the charity. Mel p advised us how to work with beeswax and cloths.

Some runners joined us at the house, and we were very kindly rewarded with tea and coffee before heading back to the Phoenix.

Stephens House is a real Barnet treasure, hosting everything from Sunday lunches and seasonal fairs to exhibitions and summer theatre. Do support them — whether by volunteering, attending events or visiting the café.

Huge congratulations to Subham on his 50th good deed 👏 and Gavin on his first GoodGym run. Give him a cheer.. Great to see Scarlett, and lovely to welcome visitors Theo and Peter Hale.

Thanks to everyone who came along to support this fantastic park and house!

A few people came online to do yoga.

On Friday I joined the wonderful regular volunteer team at Stephens House & Gardens (Avenue House), 17 East End Road, Finchley N3 3QE — a friendly and welcoming group who meet every Friday from 10am–12pm.

It’s a beautiful historic house set within a peaceful park right in the heart of Finchley — a real hidden gem.

The volunteers couldn’t have been warmer — and yes, there was tea and biscuits afterwards! ☕

The highlight for me was planting a Redwood tree. It was proper, satisfying work — digging the hole, carefully transferring the potted tree, guided expertly by Noah and Helen. Hard graft, but meaningful. Hopefully it will grow tall alongside the older Redwoods already standing in the park — a small legacy contribution for future generations.

We’ll be looking to list and support this Friday gardening session over the coming months, and it would be great to see some GoodGym faces join in when available.

Even if gardening isn’t your thing, please do come and: • Visit the café ☕ • Walk in the park 🌿 • Support this charitable community space • Consider hiring rooms inside the historic house for events or meetings

It’s a special local asset worth supporting.

🌱 If you’d like to join a future Friday session, let me know — I’ll be adding more dates soon.