On a beautifully sunny evening 5 Goodgymers set out to help the growth of new trees in Lordship Rec. Mike, our task owner, briefed us on the benefits of putting wood-chip around the base of recently planted trees - assisting with moisture retention, weed and grass suppression, temperature regulation, nutrition, etc. However he was very clear that the wood-chip should not touch the tree itself (to prevent moisture build-up and rot at the base). What we need is "Mulch Doughnuts" he insisted. Great fun was had, and the task was completed well within time, of course with the accompaniment of various insect bites. This was Paul's 50th good deed for which he received an endearing hug from Julie. The team, which included The Neil, James, and Mark, decided to do a walk from task, somehow ending up at Woodgreen Spoons! They were joined by Latoya who managed to escape from work, and thirsts were well quenched. Congratulations Paul on your 50th task - see you in black soon!

Tonight's task took us to the pond at Harmony Gardens. Mike explained that three-cornered leeks were running rampant, and we needed to pull as many as possible up control the spread. They can spread by dividing bulbs but also through seeds. Mike advised not growing them in your garden - but they make a tasty pesto!

Everyone grabbed a fork and got to work. Before we knew it it was 8pm, there were still three cornered leeks everywhere but we had made a dent.

We're heading back on May 20, when the three-cornered leeks will be over but Mike will find plenty of other things for us to do.

Two new Goodgymmers, Haoran and Helen, joined today's run leader Sarah at Blue House Yard on this balmy spring evening. From there, it was a gentle run to Lordship Recreation Ground to meet task owner Mike and the rest of the GGH gang.

Mike issued us with a wheelbarrow each and we headed to the woodchip pile. The first task was to uncover some logs that were submerged in the pile and load up the wheelbarrows. Then we had to wheel the barrows across the Rec to the bug hotel in the orchard. This is something we had started on a previous visit, so those who had been before (coughSarahcough) were reminded of how hard it is to transport a fully laden wheelbarrow across the Rec. We definitely put the Gym in Goodgym today!

As the sun set, the bugs inspected the improvements to their hotel. There was time for them each to have a snack before bed. Yet again, no one in our trusty team had remembered to put insect repellent on before venturing out this evening. That's just how altruistic (or forgetful) we are...

On a rather grim Wednesday evening the Goodgym Haringey troops assembled at Broadwater Farm estate. As tonight's leader Sarah was the first to arrive - though possibly beaten by Mark and newcomer Jessie, who went to the other pin on the run listing.

Task owner Mike explained today's task - carting wheelbarrow loads of mulch up the hill, which got progressively boggier the higher we went. Apparently there is a hidden spring!

The team made short work of the task and had enough time left over to do a side mission to make the Lordship Rec parkrun start and finish less muddy.

7 Goodgymmers got together on the edges of a very dark Lordship Rec to lend a hand to the Friends of Harmony Gardens in creating a safe path into the park

These Girls Definitely Can!

The theme for the evening was reclaiming all public spaces for everyone. And led by the indomitable, if a little directionally challenged, Latoya that's exactly what we did!

Firstly, though, we had a Goodgym task to get on with. Mike from the Friends group met us with spades, wheelbarrows, and mountainous pile of woodchip, and a task to create a safe path into the park from the Broadwater Farm entrance to the the Rec. Reader, we did. 6 of us did about 50% of the work while SuperDave in his usual Energizer bunny mode did about the other 50% by himself. At some point, he wasn't even using a spade to fill up his wheelbarrow!

Once we completed our task, Latoya took over and led us on a fun Cupid Shuffle session in the dark before leading a nice stroll through the dark Rec. Boom.

4 GoodGymers converged on Lordship to get a thorough workout hauling logs

After a brief and somewhat indecisive run from Wood Green (where will we cross Westbury Avenue ? Who knows‽ (I've only been doing this for a decade!)), we met up at Harmony Gardens.

Congratulations to Paul on smashing out a fantastic 10k last weekend. And commiserations to Paul for getting too caught up and booking in for 2 more 10ks in the next few months!

The weeding we did last time has made a big difference. And the chat started with what's fruiting at the moment. Apples, blackberries, and plums all got nibbles as we went round the Rec. No mulberries left in the park, but Mark's got some going still.

The task was hauling some giant logs ¾ the way round the Rec, and into the long grass to make a bug hotel. More bugs means more voles, which means more birds of prey! Very cool.

This was a proper work out. Sarah regretted doing a pump class at lunchtime. And your mild mannered report Dave hoofed some truly enormous bits of dead tree (by making sure he was picking the already super light rotten ones).

The insects didn't seem very grateful with their new home, as the ignored high socks and bug spray aplenty to give a good biting.

Before long 8 o'clock rolled round, and we snuck in one last barrow load, and dashed off!