On yet another hot and sweaty night, 8 Goodgymers ran, cycled and walked to Cwtch together to help out. There was plenty of tasks to get on with, inside and out, so we got cracking straight away.

Welcome Matthew to the Goodgym crew. Thanks for attending your first GG task, hopefully we will see you again soon.

Inside the hall, Matthew and Dylan S were clearing out and cleaning the kitchen whilst Rosie and Dylan V were mopping the main hall area. Initially Rosie and Dylan did kick off with their patented 'dry mopping technique'! So eager to start and do good they were working away without any water or cleaning product! ;o)

Emily, Darren and Jen set about the front garden, clearing any nettles and weeds from the play area and the perimeter, as well as mowing the lawn. Michael attacked the overgrown back area with a strimmer, check out the before and after to see the difference! Impressive stuff.

At the end of the task we were rewarded with some ice cold cans of water! They may look like beer or an energy drink but we can assure you it was water! We had a play with the hula hoop before some photos and bidding farewell for another week.

We got back to the pub where Leon had kindly reserved us a table to watch the Spain v France WC semi final.

On a run-derful Tuesday evening, 8 Goodgymers ran, walked and cycled to Global Gardens to work in the kids area of the allotment.

Chloe joined for her first Goodgym group task - welcome! Hopefully we will see you again soon at a task and/or social. There was also a welcome return to Lew who has vowed to come back to more group runs, I think mainly for the pub mind! ;o)

We split into to groups for the task to make the most of the space. Darren, Chloe, Flo and Su spent time clearing the seating area and climbing frame of any weeds and overgrowth. We got to hear all about Flo's amazing effort completing the VOGUM ultra in testing conditions on the weekend. Well done again Flo.

Rewind the years

Lew, Dylan, and Dylan dug out a cordoned off patch to be ready for planting. If you look through the pictures they managed to dig deep and find some interesting items from the earth:

• A full bottle of Stella Artois!
• A cassette tape by Youssou N'Dour - this only took 7 seconds to find! ;o)
• A handwash bottle
• A big old stubborn root

The before and after pictures show what a big difference was made in just 40 minutes!

After disposing all the weeds into the compost pile we headed off - some headed home and some headed to the open mic night at the pub.

Tonight was the celebration of 9 years of goodgym in Cardiff, and what those years have given us.

We have helped 70 charities, community groups, schools and religious institutions on our group tasks alone. (Missions not included). Totaling a whopping 5596 volunteer slots and an impressive 2798 volunteering hours.

Plenty of more stats to come, but before then let’s get to the task. It seemed logical to help out the Samye Foundation, as they top the number 1 spot with 67 group tasks. Once Lorraine had confirmed our task Michael got to work planning a picnic under their beautiful gazebos.

But before we Celebrate we have to get those deeds in.

GoodGym started in Cardiff back in 2016, May 23rd. I remember it well, being on that first task and run. As a solo runner it was quite daunting, but now nine years on I look back on all the things we’ve done with smiles and laughter, and with a great group of new friends.

So to the task, we had a good long list of things to do tonight, a great way to work up an appetite.

Weeding

• Front entrance gate
• Side gate
• The three doorways
• 3 vegetable barrels in the garden area
• Any other pavement area (if time)

Plus * Empty old plant pots of dead matter * Move the (heavy) umbrella stand from the back garden to the gazebos out front. * Empty the greenhouse, organise and place back. * Sweep – everything.

No time to wait, there’s a lot to do. Everyone grabbed their tools (ooh er), and picked there task from the list. We had a healthy number of volunteers tonight helping out, so we should manage most of the list.

Martin was wisterical with his sweeping brush, as he tidied up those gazebo floors.

Ellen, Dylan, Emily and Lucy the compost crew, got to work out back emptying pots, weeding barrels and all in the name of new life from composting.

Jake went rogue.... And after initially wedding the path decided there was a bush that needed pruning back. He’s certainly had the practise on some of our tasks this year.

Llion the organiser, straight to the greenhouse duties.

Darren and Dave were paving the way as they got in-between the cracks to clean up.

Dylan multi-task Tuesday, carried that beast of an umbrella stand and then got to work weeding the doorways.

Adam the gate master, couldn’t wait to get behind that huge gate and get those weeds and leaves gone. All helped with the perfume of the surrounding roses.

Aaron, another sweeping delight, getting those doorways swept before joining the weeding teams.

But then... Began bucket wars... Our resident bin jumper (Martin) had already found his new slogan - "If there’s a bucket or a bin I’m gonna get in". But newcomer Aaron seemed to be looking for that title......

Who wore that bin better?

Wendy joined us slightly later, but worked those guns carrying the ?tub? of weeds to the compost Corner. Michael and Lorraine were busy, photos galore and getting the food together. Michael had got some bits and bobs so was busy popping them in the picnic area. Lorraine was adding some bits from Samye, a great collaboration of food preparation. Everyone sat down, ate and enjoyed. A few group photos tonight, including the goodgym flag. Then it was time to run back, Michael Dylan and Ellen stayed to help Lorraine tidy up as extra thanks for allowing us the space to celebrate. Once everyone was back at the Glassworks, we had a few additional goodgymers join us for the late night celebrations.

Time for CAKE

Michael got the cakes from the kitchen, thanks to the Glassworks for storing them for us. And special thanks go the Mel at the Secret Garden Cafe in Bute Park for making them for us, she is also the star that got the Community Orchard up and running.

Great time had, thanks to each and every GoodGymer, past and present. Without you we would not exist.

Our top 10 are as below....

But over the last year our top 10 look a little different....

Here’s to the next year.

11 goodgymers were raring to go, eager to help out another community project.

It's Tuesday, it's goodgym

A short run from our start location, Darren led to run out, a nice easy jg along the river Taff on a Spring evening. As we arrived at the Church and community Centre we met with the task organiser. Unfortunately the gold paint had been forgotten, so that task was off the table, but there was still plenty to do.

Welcome back Wendy, glad you've chosen to return.

We split into 2 groups, one to weed and tidy up the back of the Church and one to complete some garden maintenance at the front of the Church.

But before we got to work on the weeding it was time to embarrass Rosie with her badge. She had hit a milestone last task, and hit her 50th good deed. As it was missed we decided to give her her giant 50 badge on this task.

Well done Rosie

The back of the church was hard at work, removing those weeds and clearing moss dropped onto drain covers. But still time to stop and give us a pose for a good photo...

gilet Su

Around the front was the bush cutting trials. As Julian, our organiser was clearing the roof of moss, we were cutting back Hebe, tidying planters and sweeping like we were in Mary Poppins....

Helo Teddy

As we were clearing we thought we'd found our new goodgym mascot, in a bush of all places.

Winnie the Pun!

As we closed down the Volunteering, it was decided that the Bear looked better in the bush.

It's the new mascot for the Church.... A quick group photo and it was time to head back yo the start location for a nice social. Goodgymers, you rock... Always Bear-lieve in yourself!

Back at the Glassworks we were joined by Flora, there for a DBS check in order to start older people missions. She decided to join the party and stay with the group, hoping we see you soon at a group task too.

Join us next week as we return to the wonderful grow Cardiff in Grangetown to help with their community garden at the medical hub.

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