4.15 rendezvous @ museum gardens main gate opted for scanning in punters Hmm @ my 1st ever go I unsuccessfully tried to use wrong end of scanner, D'OH but in 5min i was quite proficient @ this simple task.The day was a sell out so we worked like dogs getting crowd in pausing only for the unalloyed joy of people trying to get glass perfume btls thru security & having to leave a 100ml of Jimmy Choo in the dirt (play stupid games win stupid prizes) Ahem madam your ticket please, OMD were by far the standout act for me with many bands appearing to be tribute acts of themselves but a fun day was had 😁

We moved the task to avoid the midday sun, but it was still scorching out there... we watered, we weeded and we ran for the shade, the end.

Kirsty joined myself and John this morning. John had arrived early again and done most of the work by setting out the tables. We put the chairs out and were soon done - plenty of time for a café visit afterwards!

👋33 GoodGymmers gathered for tonight's group run. We were thrilled to welcome Kirsty to her first group run and hope to see her for many more!

🎉 Following that, what began as a distinct lack of things to celebrate turned into a diverse celebration, of new parkruns, birthdays and theatre appearances. We also need to acknowledge the brilliant Claire who got GoodGymmer of the month, not only for her incredible contribution to our very own Tiny Forest (which is absolutely thriving) but also her prize-winning running at her first ever race!

✌After some disgruntlement from Stef about the boring nature of the proposed naming and numbering off, we were invited to state our favourite thing about Stef. These compliments varied from the somewhat superficial (though still justified - Stef's shorts were very nice!) to the positively heartwarming. Allowances were (very justifiably) made for people who perhaps hadn't met Stef before. No such allowances for Steve Rice though, who mistakenly heard that we were chatting about our favourite fingerbowls (so had to say that as well as his favourite thing about Stef!)

🌱 After all that jollity, it was time to run to tonight's task. Ed led the run while Claire backmarked and in no time, we got to Acomb Primary. We were split into Team Courtyard and Team Forest School. Team Courtyard's task was to tidy up the courtyard (other than the floor, which some of the school children will be tackling shortly). Meanwhile, Team Forest School were making space by clearing anything low-hanging, in the way or likely to grow and block the space. Some people had saws, which they used very enthusiastically. Some people used their hands to (try) and pull up newly growing things. Some people tested out the hammocks (making sure they're safe for the children, obviously...) There was also the mission to identify sticks that could be used for den-building, which involved some of us trying to strip small branches off larger branches. It helped make us feel productive anyway...

🌿 About 5 minutes before our finish time, a new pile of sticks was identified, for taking to the rubbish pile. All hands were on deck and determined to finish as much of this task as possible, leading to some selective hearing on some parts...

📷 Time for a team photo and some playing cards-based fitness. Amy's team won, despite cries of foul play and burpees-based bias.

👏 Next, it was time to run back to base, stretch and head homewards/pubwards. We also heard about Jamie's incredible Leeds-Liverpool canal running adventure. More info to follow - we can't wait to hear how he gets on running over 120 miles! Thanks everyone, until next time!

I reported to HQ to receive my ID badge and T shirt. I was instructed to marshal from Acomb Green. My task was to point people to the different events and art works being created around Acomb. The places was buzzing and everyone was wowed by the UK street artists. I was given some maps and gave all of them out to enquiring folk. Everyone was stunned by the artistry of the murals and intrigued by the layering process building up before them. After 90 minutes, my shift was done and I rewarded myself with lunch and a mooch to puppets in a windmill, an exhibition, a pianist, a trapeze and more stunning murals. Well done Art of Protest!

We came at this task from opposite ends of Acomb over a mile apart. Vicky and her crew headed West from The Fox and the Griffs headed East from The Crooked Tap. We all met up on Front Street in the heart of Acomb to find we had all gathered some litter, but not as much as we had expected. Clearly Acomb Festival goers are a tidy bunch! So with time to spare all nine of us headed back to The Crooked Tap for a drink where the end-of-festival party was due to start later. AcombFest was organised by Art of Protest and has been an amazing success.