Accompanied by a backdrop of fireworks 5 GGers helped out with various jobs at the Ghosts in the Dark event being held all week at Museum Gardens. Worth checking out if you not seen it before and we helped keeping safe and guiding the publuc around. A really friendly event so although quite a long shift everyone we all enjoyed ghosts and story telling alike and chatting to the visitors...

We returned to Middlethorpe Hall for another fence painting session. the rumours of how well we get looked after must be out as it was a bumper turn out!

We quickly got started with a team at each end containing wire brushers and painters. We speedily advanced towards each other - apparently team Vicky did two thirds to team Ed's one third - sounds about right!

Once our section was finished we were rewarded with scones, sandwiches and hot drinks.

The best was yet to come however - we got to go behind the scenes and pose on the roof for our group photo!

All in all a very enjoyable afternoon, in many ways!

We had the task of covering 4 mini map areas of Bishopthorpe with Brunswick Christmas leaflets. This was to advertise their Christmas Festival on 24th November as well as their trees and wreaths and other hand made Christmas gifts made by the charity. Becca and Catherine took two areas and Laura and Lionel the other two. We managed to get 60% done of each in the hour so Laura stayed and finished what was left of the last two maps while the others headed to the next task at Middlethorpe Hall.

On a crisp autumnal Saturday morning 12 spritely Goodgymers assembled at Middlethorpe Hall a beautiful National Trust historic hotel. The first few to arrive quickly spotted a bountiful breakfast spread of juice, hot beverages, pastries and bacon or egg butties, incredulously they were all for us! But as Goodgymer Lionel was our task contact we shouldn’t have been surprised at such generous hospitality! But enough about the breakfast (which was delicious if you succeeded in getting it into your mouth - case in point Katie).

Our task was to refresh the sunken fence paintwork (not a ha-ha to be exact). And as we had generously been provided with new metal bristle brush scrapers and paint brushes, we got to work. It was decided to concentrate on the first half of the long sunken fence to make sure both prep and paint could be finished but as our busy team of 12 cracked on we were able to extend our progress even more, powered by good company and a brilliant buffet.

By the time 12 rolled around we had managed to complete the sections we set out to refresh much to a delighted Lionel. After doing such a good job we’ve been invited back on the 17th of October, so sign up now as it’s sure to be another great GG task.

What better way to spend an evening than swapping trowels for bowls and heading to the bowling green for an evening of competitive fun!

There were some impressive deliveries, a few questionable ones and plenty of good sportsmanship — all washed down with a few beers! 🎳🍺

Once everyone had worked up an appetite, it was time for a buffet, which was very kindly laid on by Lynne at the club, followed by an all-important selection of cakes. Because no GoodGym social is complete without cake!

Then came the Yorkshire quiz, testing our knowledge of everything from Yorkshire traditions to local legends. We now all know how big our Yorkshire Puddings should be!

A brilliant evening of bowls, beer, buffet, cake and Yorkshire trivia — GoodGym definitely knows how to roll out a summer social! 💚

Saturday evening sunshine meant there was no better place to be than getting stuck into some GoodGym gardening!

Tonight’s mission was weeding and removing black plastic — a satisfying combination of pulling, clearing and uncovering what had been hiding underneath. The weeds didn’t stand a chance as we worked our way through the area, while the stubborn plastic put up a bit more of a fight!

With plenty of sunshine, teamwork and fresh air, we soon had the area looking much tidier. Who needs Saturday night fever when you’ve got Saturday night weeding fever? 🌱💪