Ten Years of GoodGym Barnet – Back Where It All Began

Ten years ago GoodGym Barnet held its first group run to Long Lane Pasture. Yesterday we went back to where it all began with old friends, new faces and over 30 people joining us to celebrate a decade of doing good in our community.

A big group set off from the Phoenix Cinema after our traditional warm-up but this time we also went around the group remembering some of our favourite GoodGym moments from the last ten years. Gardening, clearing graffiti from the Phoenix, Halloween runs in fancy dress, Tiny Forests, litter picks and countless community missions. It was a lovely reminder of just how varied GoodGym has been.

We ran through the back streets of East Finchley, keeping everyone together with the occasional stop for squats, exercises and a few questionable drop kicks!

At Long Lane Pasture we met Donald, other volunteers, councillors and GoodGymers who had made their own way there. Donald told us a little about this wonderful nature reserve, saved from development and now looked after by volunteers.

After gathering around the Green Flag for a photo, we squeezed in some gentle yoga breathing and mobility before getting down to business , clearing litter from the footpath alongside the reserve.

Then came the important birthday business: cake and beer!

Huge thanks to Donald and everyone at Long Lane Pasture for hosting us and providing plenty of cake, Richard for the vegan cake, Athletic Brewing for the beers and Theo for some additional refreshments with a little more kick!

There was another milestone worth celebrating too: congratulations to Subham on reaching over a 100 good deeds. What better evening to do it.

Most importantly, it was wonderful seeing people who have been part of GoodGym Barnet at different times over the last decade. Some we see every week, others we haven’t seen for years. You’re always welcome back even if it’s only once a year!

One message we received afterwards perhaps summed the evening up best:

“The energy is infectious. You have created a wonderful community, and Barnet is richer for having you in it.”

But GoodGym isn’t really about what we have created. It’s about supporting people like Donald and the volunteers at Long Lane Pasture, and all those people across Barnet who quietly take responsibility for our green spaces, charities and community organisations.

Sometimes a couple of hours of our time gets a job done. Just as importantly, hopefully it reminds those people that they aren’t doing it alone and that what they do is noticed and valued.

And it does something for us too. Getting outside, being active and doing something useful alongside other people is pretty good medicine for life.

We might only make a small difference each time but a small difference is considerably better than no difference at all.

After ten years, we’re still running, walking and cycling into our community, getting our hands dirty and seeing where we can help.

Here’s to the next few years and hopefully plenty more familiar and new faces joining us along the way. ❤️

Happy 10th birthday GoodGym Barnet!

Six Goodgymmers rocked up for a third go at the overgrowth along the East End Road fence of Stephens House and Gardens. Five of us jogged from the Phoenix, and met up with Warwick, Allison and Richard, already hard at work. Theo soon rocked up ready to roll, so we got stuck in, cutting back the bushes, sweeping the brickwork and brushing the pavements.

We bagged things up and carried the full rubble sacks around to the compost pile. On the way back, there was a brief opportunity for some monkeying on the monkey bars, but then back to it, until we had finished the whole of the last part of the fence! Not to worry though, there are other fences in need of some vegetation maintenance.

Meanwhile, tonight's icebreaker asked what was the most recent work of art to have moved you to laughter or tears. From the Weight of Being exhibition at Two Temple Place earlier this year, to Laurie Lee novels and zombie drama - even a facebook video meme (yes it's art!) - we had plenty of food for discussion as we worked. Then, with three of our team living only a few minutes away, just three of us jogged back to the Phoenix to collect bags and be on our merry ways home, feeling fitter and very satisfied with our good deeds.

NB: CONGRATULATIONS SUBHAM!

I completely missed it, so adding this special note! Well done to Subham, as this was his 100th good deed! What a champ!

Today we headed to the Bull Theatre in High Barnet to help Susi and Dave get this important local theatre and performing arts centre ready for its next season.

With its theatre and two dance studios, the Bull provides a great space for young people and the wider community to get involved in drama, dance and music. We got stuck into some much-needed decorating. painting walls, cleaning them down as well as painting the floor.

There’s plenty of history here too. The site dates back centuries and has been a pub, magistrates court and, from 1975, the Old Bull Arts Centre. When its future became uncertain in the early 2000s, the local community helped save it, and today it continues as an independent charity and home for performing arts in Barnet. It has even seen the likes of Amy Winehouse and Alexandra Burke perform here in their earlier days.

It’s exactly the sort of community facility that is worth supporting giving young people opportunities to build confidence, learn skills, perform and meet others.

And, of course, this was GoodGym so we had to get there actively! Jack and I cycled, Subham ran some of the way, while the rest of the team made their way by public transport.

Thanks to Susi and Dave for welcoming us. Hopefully this is the start of us doing a bit more to help keep this historic little theatre vibrant and serving the Barnet community for many years to come.

Last night we headed back to Coldfall Wood for our GoodGym group run somewhere we hadn’t visited for quite a while. After gathering, as usual, outside the Phoenix Cinema, we eased ourselves in with a gentle warm-up. It was certainly warm, but the humidity was what everyone really noticed.

Our discussion topic on the run out was favourite comedy songs. It turned out to be more challenging than expected, with quite a few people struggling to think of one. Maybe we’ve uncovered a whole new discussion theme! One suggestion was Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. I’ll happily provide the full playlist another time if there’s enough demand.

After the short run to the woods, we were welcomed by Linda, who reminded us that Coldfall Wood is an ancient woodland dating back to the 16th century. Our task was to repair the dead hedges, helping to discourage people from wandering through sensitive areas and damaging the new growth.

There were a few unusual jobs along the way, including wrestling a large fallen section of tree out from another tree. Someone must have thought it was amusing to wedge it there! Members of the Friends of Coldfall Wood group were working alongside us, and one of them kindly brought figs to share, which were absolutely delicious.

We carried on repairing the dead hedges wherever they needed attention before it was time to make our way back. It was a simple task, but hopefully one that will make a real difference. It’s probably something that needs regular attention, and we’re always happy to support the Friends group in looking after this wonderful ancient woodland.

After the run back, we gathered outside the Phoenix for a well-earned chat before heading home.

And finally… if you’ve made it this far, you’ll be pleased to know we also had a good laugh about a couple of broken legs and a mop in the mouth. If you’ve read this and have no idea what I’m talking about… never mind! first person to DM me with the words broken legs and a mop in the mouth. I’ll buy you a drink! (as I am curious to know if anybody does read this)

The plan was simple: help the Phoenix Cinema by delivering some promotional leaflets. Then came the call… could we help water the planters at Lyttelton Playing Fields instead?

As GoodGym helped with the planting over the last couple of years, there was only one answer: yes!

With temperatures still around 29°C, we warmed up at the Phoenix, delivered leaflets en route to support our fantastic local cinema, then jogged on to Lyttelton. Thanks to the hosepipe ban, around 15 planters had to be watered the old-fashioned way—with buckets and teamwork.

Of course, not all the water reached the plants… there were a few well-aimed splashes too! It was a great reminder that even serious challenges can bring people together with a smile.

As our climate changes, we’ll need more of this—communities helping communities. That’s what GoodGym does best: getting fit, having fun and making a real difference together.

also

🎉 Save the Date – GoodGym Barnet is 10! 🎉

This August we’re celebrating 10 years of GoodGym Barnet – and we’d love you to join us.

Whether you’ve run, walked, volunteered, hosted us, or worked alongside us to make Barnet a better place, you’ve been part of our story. Over the last decade we’ve helped dozens of local organisations and met some incredible people. We simply couldn’t have done it without you.

Join us on Tuesday 18th August at Long Lane Pasture, the very place where GoodGym Barnet began 10 years ago. We’ll lend a hand with a short volunteering task, then celebrate with food, birthday cake and plenty of time to catch up. Event details & sign-up https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/10-year-anniversary-gardening-at-long-lane-pasture-nature-reserve

If you’re still a GoodGym member, please sign up via the link. If not, just reply to let me know you’d like to come so we have an idea of numbers.

It would be wonderful to celebrate with as many old and new friends as possible. We hope to see you there!

15 minutes wondering round the garden revealed 1 butterfly. Fewer than I've seen on other occasions, but perhaps started a little late in the day. Sammy (my dog) clearly thought I'd gone crazy, and was much relieved when I stopped staring at the undergrowth and recorded my grand total. A quick and easy thing to do - I've now added the app, so will probably count butterflies again!

When our planned task at Martin Primary School had to be cancelled at the last minute, GoodGym Barnet did what GoodGym does best—we adapted!

Instead of heading to the school, we made the most of a beautiful evening with a run over to Cherry Tree Woods. Before getting stuck into the task, we warmed up with some jogging, dynamic stretches, knee lifts and a few strides to get everyone moving.

With such a lovely park and not too much litter to collect, we took the opportunity to mix fitness with a bit of fun by practising our frisbee skills. We worked on backhand and sidearm throws to improve our catching—always useful skills for a future game in the park!

After that it was time for the serious business of litter picking. Thankfully Cherry Tree Woods was looking in pretty good shape, but we still managed to fill a bag with the usual assortment of discarded rubbish, including a lonely Croc shoe and a child’s rucksack waiting to be reunited with its owner. unfortunately, it was binned!

With the park a little cleaner and everyone having enjoyed an active evening outdoors, we jogged back to the Phoenix to round off another adaptable GoodGym session.

Sometimes the best sessions are the ones you never planned! 🏃🥏