A dynamic duo of Goodgymmers returned to Acomb to help with the clothes swap. Despite Jo demoting me to teaboy last night, there was no tea making required as York Neighbours had taken over the café to sell cakes and promote the awesome work they do. That meant it was a full 90 mins on the shop floor for me and Mikael.

With a steady stream of people through the doors, there was a lot of clothes to put out but the clothes swap is a well oiled machine so everything went smoothly.

Three of us descended on the hall on Friday evening to help the team prep for the next clothes swap. When we got to the hall, the first thing we had to do was to set up the tables. Not a difficult task. With a firm grip of the legs and a little tug, we soon got each one erect and into position.

The clothes swap keep all their stock under the stage, so we took full advantage of the opportunity to go down. It was a delicate but rewarding task and some the more experienced volunteers helped us with our technique. The aim was to get the rails out without any clothes falling off. We tried reaching around and few different positions, and eventually found one that worked for everyone involved. Before long, all the rails were out and standing to attention, which meant we could go back on top to finish the job.

We had to make sure the clothes on the rails were nicely spread, so nothing was left to the imagination. Clothes were put on and taken off, some outfits just didn't want to stay on at all. Eventually, after a bit more fluffing, each rail was was looking good for the morning.

The final task meant using a long pole to hang a few choice outfits in the windows. This was a happy ending to the mission as it was something we'd done regularly as previous clothes swaps.

With the regular volunteers satisfied, we headed to the pub. Leanne sampled a taste of Paradise and I taught the barmaid how to get the right amount of head when pouring Guinness zero from a can.

This month's clothes swap was ridiculously busy. Lucky we had five of York's finest Goodgymmers on hand to keep things running smoothly.

Today was Penny's 100th GoodGym task so it was her turn to wear the traditional cape. I think she also went home with at least one new outfit from the clothes swap so all in all a success day for her.

It was also good to welcome back Amy after a long gap since her last clothes swap.

After an hour and a half and some serious steps, I allowed the team to get on with the rest of their Saturday. Me and Leanne stayed on to enjoy some excellent scones (thanks to Vicky for subbing me some old fashioned money to pay for it 😂)

After doing the main clothes swap task for a couple of years, we finally got to swe behind the curtain and help out with the set up.

Jo and the rest of the clothes swap team were very pleased to see us and we made quick work of the task. Carys got stuck in and disappeared under the stage to help getting the stock out. We made sure she made it back out.

After some initial issues getting things up, Leanne showed off her impressive pole handling skills to get the party dresses hanging beautifully in the windows.

With just half an hour gone, the three of us had completed the task and were able to make our excuses and head to the nearest alcohol establishment.

The first clothes swap of the year was busy. Clearly, the residents of York had been fruitfully clearing out their wardrobes during Twixmas as over 130 attended by the end.

It was out with the Christmas jumpers (all boxed up by the team until November) and party dresses (as tastefully modelled by Ed) and in with jumpers and coats.

With the main floor slightly chaotic, we both took turns in the kitchen for the more relaxing task of serving teas and coffees.

The time flew by and the indoor task was the perfect antidote to the cold of parkrun this morning.

Supporting a more sustainable version of Christmas shopping, four GoodGymmers headed to the monthly Acomb clothes swap (three of us (relatively) fresh-faced, one slightly less so). We were quickly put to work putting out the clothes that people brought for others to browse and choose from. Highlights were the Christmas sparkly rail and the new addition of both a bra and a wool drop (for any unneeded bras and wool respectively). With plenty to do, the time flow and it was time to say farewell until next month.

Thanks everyone!