Despite a few setbacks, tonight's group run with GoodGym was nothing short of fantastic! With only two members available, our team was small but mighty as we embarked on a mission to Stephen’s House and Gardens.

Pedaling on my trusty bike and joined by Yeskia , who was walking/running all the way from Finchley Central, we were greeted by the warm embrace of a beautiful winter night, teasing us with the promise of spring just around the corner. Our destination? The picturesque gazebo, a haven for café customers offering a stunning view of the lawn and pond.

Joined by the ever-dedicated volunteers Alison and Warwick, we rolled up our sleeves (and grabbed our brooms) for a bit of rooftop scrubbing action. Our task? To rid the gazebo of pesky algae and dirt, transforming it into a sparkling sanctuary for all to enjoy. Armed with buckets of water and fueled by laughter, we tackled the job with gusto, turning a chore into a delightful bonding experience.

As we put the finishing touches on our cleaning masterpiece and secured the gazebo back in place, we couldn't help but admire the splendor of Stephen's House and Gardens. A hidden gem in Finchley, boasting a rich history dating back to 1857, it's a place that deserves to be discovered and cherished by all.

With our mission accomplished and smiles on our faces, we bid farewell to Alison and Warwick, each heading off in our own directions, filled with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie. Until next time, let's keep running, cleaning, and spreading joy one GoodGym mission at a time! 🏃‍♂️🌿✨

On a moist Tuesday night, five brave GoodGymers embarked on a mission that could only be described as a brick-tastic adventure. Their destination? Stephen's House and Gardens, where a peculiar task awaited them – the manual relocation of bricks. While not quite the epic saga of moving 5 million bricks as originally thought, this journey had its own unique charm, offering the perfect blend of fitness and camaraderie. Let's just say that dumbbells are just too mainstream for this cool crowd.

Our intrepid team of GoodGymers, comprised of Beattie, Katy, Cherian, Niki Theo and myself, Antonio, formed a human chain and with the precision of brick-wielding acrobats, our GoodGymers took turns passing the bricks along.

In the end, a neat tall pile stood exactly five metres away from where they initially were. We jogged back to base and had a nice cool down and hot chocolate and tea at the Phoenix Cinema. Thanks everyone and see you next week!

to follow

On Halloween, Laura, Simone and Yeskia helped with registration and distributed bracelets to visitors at the entrance for Stephens house Halloween event. Simone was stationed at the entrance to the spooky cellar, while Laura and Yeskia went around the gardens where the "ghost hunt" was organized for children. They checked everything was in order and ensured that everyone had a great time.

Nine GoodGym members recently came together to help out at the stunning Park at Stephens House & Gardens in Finchley. This place is a real gem of the area, with a rich history dating back to 1870 and a garden designed by Marnoch, a well-known Victorian garden designer.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to see much of the garden because it was pitch dark outside. But that didn't stop us from having a blast! We met Helen at one of the gates who directed us to wheelbarrows, shovels, and rakes. We then proceeded to move woodchip into a play area for children. It was a fabulous night with the moon shining bright above us - we felt like Moonrakers! (pun intended Sorry I couldn’t do better! )

After finishing up in good time, we headed back to the Phoenix Cinema for a warm down and some socializing in the upstairs café.

Join us for our next adventure and let's have some fun while doing good!"

I joined in with a regular Friday morning, Volunteering group at Stephens house and Gardens. The house is a charitable park and requires the input of volunteers and the community. The gardens are beautiful, and there is a children’s playground, outdoor gym and Café. The café uses some of the vegetables, grown in a special vegetable patch within the park. This week I helped Julian with clearing brambles that we’re approaching the path. After a couple of hours, we stopped for tea and cake. All very civilised! If you’re interested in joining, let me know.