Quite an evening for our task, unfortunately everything changed at the last minute. We had to cancel our Orchard watering due to the event in Blackweir, for the first time.

It was a busy evening in Cardiff tonight, as we had Katy Perry in the castle and Lewis Capaldi in Blackweir Fields (just up the path)

Even with all of this activity, and last minute changes, we still met up and got out for some good. Our change had us running up to The Salvation Army Hostel for young people, with an option to work inside or out.... The weather was looking changeable...

Once we were all there, Michael took the crew inside to help carry out the items to build.

Our tasks, to build.....

• 3 Planters
• 1 Round garden picnic bench
• 5 large boxes to carry in total.

Let's go go go

We were split into 4 teams of two, 6 on the raised planters. The final 2 were to do as much as possible with the bench, but this wasn't going to be finished in one 30 minute session.

He weather stayed dry, so we stayed outside enjoying the evening air.

5.....4....3...2..1

Time's up, let's get the photo and head back. It was a great jog back, as thousands were descending on Cardiff for the night. We had cheers from the crowds as if we were part of a race.

Some of our weirder discussions on the way back, as acid reflux came up. The fact that there are 60 Sphincter muscles in the human body, and they control a lot more than you think.....

Thanks to everyone of you for coming out, see you again soon.

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.

Strim strim fully
Strim strim fully
We strim for me
No matter the weather
We’ll help you, you see

Strim strim fully
Strim strim fully
We strim for you
And once we have met
We shall come back it’s true.

Right, that's enough of that...

4 GoodGymers walked on an extremely hot day, 32.9 degrees...

Thankfully the task was a bit more in shade, as we tackled the garden space at Cwtch Together. The usual "lords and ladies" were appearing, they can be toxic so we had to get them dug up and binned.

We also went on tidy up duty, as we strimmed and mowed so that the garden could be used by the young people during half term.

Hot work, and a welcome cold drink before photos and the hot walk back.

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.

Tonight we are joining the wonderful Grow Cardiff at their site over at the Grange Medical Centre.

But before we start the jog of joy, we have some welcomes to make...

Owen and Samuel, thank you for joining goodgym on your very first task.

Croeso

A longer route out to the task to help us hit those km goals this week. It wasn't too long until we were at the task. A quick chat about the project and what they do. Supporting social prescribing to therapeutic community gardens for health and well-being.

Our task tonight, to finish updating the polytunnel. Removing old wooden batons, old netting and the old plastic behind this. All to help with temperature control in the Summer months.

We started with filling out the new net to get the right size for cutting, whilst the old batons were quickly removed with a crowbar. Then it was time for us to get destructive, ripping down the old netting and plastic with the might of goodgym arms. Everyone had a section and ripped until, like a plaster, it was all down.

We can rebuild you, we have the technology

It was time to get the plastic cut to length, but the only piece that we had was exceptionally large. As the evening started to get a bit windy, it took the entire group to keep it in place on the floor - that's what the weight of goodgym is for. The Grow Cardiff team got to cutting with the Stanley knife, and then the volunteers held it up in place just to check that the size was okay.

As we held the plastic in place, Chris went around with the (temperamental) staple gun, securing it to its final position. It took 2 pieces of plastic to cover the length of the polytunnel, so plenty of time for the volunteers to get chatty with each other.

The plastic had to be trimmed, but whilst this was done by grow Cardiff, we started on the opposite end securing the length of netting. As we met in the middle it looked a little bit like we were trying to catch a gardener with our net...(see pictures).

The final task for the evening, to put the batons in place to secure everything fully. This involved cutting pieces to length and then nailing them into position.

Hammer time

Everyone had a go, as the three hammers where passed around with the nails. Dylan took a hammering, Samuel & Owen nailed it. Aaron managed to break his phone screen protector...still not sure how. Jonathan was our act of chivalry as he gave his goodgym jacket to a cold Lucy, now forever know as Chief Hammerer Lucy.

Finally finished (a bit later than usual), it was time for a quick group photo before heading out on a shorter run back (to make up for time).

Join us next week as we celebrate our 09th anniversary of goodgym in Cardiff. Sign up here to join us at Samye for our task and celebration (there will be cake!)