Brook, look and a biscuit!

Everyone seemed to appear at once at Finchley Central at 11am perhaps they’d all caught the same Tube! A great turnout for our GoodGym Barnet walk, with Gus and Amanda’s dog joining the company. A couple of brief showers came and went, leaving us with a lovely mix of cloud and sunshine. This initial Walk also supported Move10 https://www.thisgirlcan.co.uk/movefor10

Our introductions had a local twist: name, number and a fact about Finchley — or your favourite biscuit if you were stuck. Surprisingly, Finchley knowledge comfortably held its own against biscuits! Margaret Thatcher and famous residents featured, along with Harry Beck, creator of the familiar Tube map, whose local station was Finchley Central. More about Beck’s connection⁠. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2024/sep/21/harry-beck-tube-map-london-transport-archive-sale

Our first stops included Finchley Way Open Space, where GoodGym helped clear scrub and create paths a few years ago. It’s always satisfying to return and enjoy somewhere you’ve helped look after.

Once the grounds of Brent Lodge, this little green space has quite a story. In the 1910s, Alice Melville established a communal living scheme here, with shared cooking, laundry and dining facilities. Later, owner Augustus Cooper left the house and gardens to the people of Finchley for public enjoyment. A rather lovely legacy, still being cared for by local volunteers. Local history⁠. https://www.fofwos.org/history-of-fofwos

We then followed Dollis Brook before turning towards Darlands Nature Reserve. Woodland paths, tree views and plenty of conversation made it easy to forget we were still in London. The lake was originally ornamental, created for a nearby country house; today it provides a valuable refuge for wildlife. Darlands’ history⁠. https://www.barnet.gov.uk/directories/parks/darlands-lake

Recent desilting work has helped restore the lake. With the nearby stream looking dry, it was encouraging to see water remaining in the lake and birds making use of it. Among them was what appeared to be a great cormorant. A seaside visitor? Apparently not — cormorants are quite at home fishing on inland lakes and rivers too. Another thing learnt along the way!.

Lunch at Finchley Nurseries gave us another chance to chat before the final stretch to Mill Hill East station. Good company, a bit of movement and a few discoveries on our doorstep — thank you to everyone who came along. I think we did about 6 miles.

Fancy helping care for these places too? We could organise a litter pick as a GoodGym community mission. Let me know if you’re interested, when you’re free, or if you have another local idea.

We’ll aim for another walk in a month or two, this time heading the other way along Dollis Brook and onwards towards Hampstead Heath. Look out for the listing, and bring a friend — and perhaps a four-legged one too!

welcome Victoria & Lucy on their first outing with GoodGym Barnet. Hope to see you again soon

We were back at Ocean Youth Connexions to support Kamal for another session, helping keep the site in tip-top shape.

First on arrival, John, Sam, Kareem and first timer, Ken were set straight to work litter picking in the yard and clearing leaves. Meanwhile, Darren and I tackled the front of the building, pruning what we identified as a milkflower cotoneaster shrub, as well as clearing leaves and picking up litter.

A little later,Emma, Arina and Louise joined us. Louise deserves special credit for navigating a heroic bus journey to get there! They headed upstairs to clean and soap the doors, with Emma declaring it was “the most I've ever enjoyed cleaning doors!”

As summer fades, we couldn't help notice the darkness creeping in earlier than usual.It won't be long before the head torches make their seasonal return.

A special mention goes to Sam, John and Darren, who all took part in the Big Half on Sunday and still turned out to volunteer.

Finally, a big welcome to Ken on his first GoodGym task. We hope to see you again soon!