Tonight's GoodGym York Group Run saw us returning to the wildflower meadow at Clarence Gardens to clear the flowers that we had previously sown. We started the night with a bonus litterpicking task in the surrounding area, before getting stuck into the main event with a bumper turnout for an autumn night. Imen had joined the litterpickers for her first ever GoodGym task before deciding to stay on and stick around for the group run. We also welcomed Georgina along for her first ever session. Give them both a big cheer!

Tonight we were finally able to presentJenna with the cape of Good Deeds a little bit later than we should have (so sorry!) but still gave her a big round of applause for competing her 400th task. What an incredible achievement. And we also said well done to Richard who had completed his first ever cross country run at the weekend. Quite remarkable for a man who has done most things imaginable running-wise!

It was then off to the task with Mitch leading a small walking contingent and Nikki backmarking the main group. We were joined at the task by Cara, Jan, James and taskowner Iain who got us underway with some very simple instructions. Basically rake up all of the arisings and shift them over to the skip by any means necessary. Before long there were tonne sacks, wheelbarrows and tarps being moved left, right and centre and the skip started to get full, although a fair chunk of the space was taken up by a buried Mitch! In fairness Mitch and Pete did a cracking job of stomping down the skip so we could continue to fit more in, clearly impressing taskowner Iain who was planning where we could start a new pile once the skip got full.

Before you knew it, it was time to put the tools down and pose for a group photo before this evenings fitness sesh which involved teams of three running in opposite directions, or completing some exercises before then having to meet up again around a coloured cone, where they were then rewarded with a rest or punished with even more exercises. The activity required a lot less explaining than i'd imagined and seemed to work despite some groans from everyone one they realised they all had to complete burpees at the end regarldess of which cone they were stood around.

All in all the gang of GGers shifted a huge load of the arisings, but there's still plenty more to do so we'll be back later in November to finish the job

A bonus Monday night treat was arranged for us tonight. An area had been identified as needing some great GoodGym help and York's wonderful Area Activators Vicky & Ed were out on the streets with a litter picking gang. We had a fantastic age range (4 weeks to nearly 60 years!) and it was an honour for us to welcome a 4 week old to a wonderful GG way of life! Long may it continue. (Promise no child labour was involved - just an opportunity to meet York's youngest.) We also welcomed Imen on her first GG task and she enjoyed it so much she stayed for the group run & mission, lovely to have her along. We had some lovely comments from locals thanking us for our efforts - it does feel good to be recognised. We left the area depleted of litter & looking much tidier.

A great turnout for the book sale task this month with some who had not been before and a few grizzled veterans of this task.

The library had mercifully cleared out the old stock so some books that had been hanging around for some time had gone to the big library in the sky. Or the one down below. The important thing is we had exciting new books to put out which should mean lots of extra income for the library and lots of happy readers.

Many hands made light work so we finished with time to spare and left everything neat and tidy. And we get to come back in a few weeks and do it all again for half term 😁