GoodGym made a return to Meadow Lane this week, supporting a brilliant volunteer‑run project that’s transforming a local playground into a nature‑inspired space for children and the wider community. The aim is to encourage active outdoor play, whilst protecting the local wildlife and promoting biodiversity. We split into two teams to help move the project forward. One group got stuck into cutting back ivy and removing old wire fencing, using hammers to flatten any sharp ends. Clearing this area will open up a new area for children to explore safely. The second team focused on moving logs & branches to build an exciting new den and hideout space for children. We also had a very special guest GoodGymer - Isabella the dog. Isabella took on branch-moving responsibilities and kept morale high!
We’re looking forward to returning next month to continue the transformation, and build more dens!

Anwen was quick to react to the last minute cancellation of our planned session and conjure a friendly 5-a-side scavenger hunt in central Oxford. Runners v Walkers with no cup for the winners, except for the coffee cup on Anwen's list.

Walkers took an early lead through a great Stephen pun (a fork in the road). Runners struck back thanks to in depth knowledge of GoodGym venues. A masquerade mask was the best very random item and Walkers increased their lead when they bumped into Emma for the "street with a fellow GoodGymer's name". Mr. Tumnus was worth a point for Runners, and after a tense count back at Central Library, Anwen declared a draw.
One team could have snatched victory if only they had picked up a ....Walker's crisp packet.

Yaaaay for the longer evenings and GoodGymming in daylight.

Today was a milestone in my life: my first Goodgym task as leader! We were at Boundary Brook Nature Reserve to dig up bramble roots and clean up litter.

Taking charge like a born leader, I said to the team: "Helen from the Nature Reserve knows what needs doing. Do what she says."

What needed doing was to dig up all the plant roots from the plot the Nature Reserve staff are preparing. In a pleasant surprise, the area had already been dug nicely with a rotavator and the expected bramble roots were almost all gone. This made life a lot easier for Anja, Steve and Joe, although Joe still got to show off with a mattock.

Less pleasant and not at all surprising was the amount of litter people had thrown over the fence, which Muireann and I picked out of the brambles. There were also a wheel and a saddle from a bicycle embedded in the mud- I am starting to believe that this is where bikes come from, and that they grow out of the ground like potatoes.

The most surprising thing was... the giant moth. You weren't expecting that were you? Neither were we, but local artist Mani had constructed one to hang in the trees. So Muireann and I, along with non-Goodgym volunteer Fred, helped Mani to assemble and position the moth in a flying pose. Eventually the tree branches and Ivy will grow through the frame to create a seamless moth-shaped part of the landscape.

All in all, a productive morning:

Roots dug up: lots Rubbish collected: loads Giant moths assembled: 1

Thank you all so much for coming to our Christmas celebration. What a warm and fuzzy evening it was.

Thank you so much for all your hard work this year, you are all glorious!