The first half of the 500‑copy SK Post (April issue) has been successfully deployed ✅ today, thanks to the dynamic duo Jamie & Hazel 💪. Jamie heroically cycled to the task 🚴‍♂️—clocking a respectable ~17 minutes of cardio 🔥—while Hazel took on the calm‑but‑mighty job of folding ~235 newspapers 📰✂️ like a true origami sensei 🧘‍♀️.

Meanwhile, in a parallel universe (aka another part of Manchester 🌍), Ben bravely tackled the remaining 100 copies of the Manchester Post in the Longsight area 💼📬. Another brave solo adventure by Ben!

As tradition demands, the session began with the sacred Tea Ceremony™ ☕🙏—because nothing delivers newspapers faster than proper hydration and biscuits. With only 2 joiners tonight, there was no need for strategic masterminding 🧠❌: just take a side of the street and GOOO 🚀. The outcome? A lightning‑fast ~40‑minute delivery ⚡, impressively efficient for a two‑postie power squad 💥. Speed ✅ Accuracy ✅ Dedication ✅.

There are still 250+ copies 🗞️🗞️🗞️ waiting for their letterboxes, so an extra session may be summoned 🔔 before next Tuesday’s delivery 📆—stay alert.

Bonus perks: this route is elite for cat spotting 🐈🐈‍⬛👀, so if newspapers and unexpected feline encounters are your thing, definitely join us next time 😸.

Stay tuned 📡✨

Another cracking Woodbank parkrun ✅, served with a very spring‑esque cocktail of relentless downpour before the start🌧️ and cherry blossoms 🌸 — because why choose just one? Hazel was once again stationed at the bottom of the downhill 🦺⬇️, where the air rang with cheerful greetings 👋… and the occasional panicked cry of “I cannot stop running!” 😱🏃‍♂️ A timely reminder to always check your brakes before leaving the house 🛑😉

The day saw 208 finishers 🏁 guided safely home by 21 brilliant volunteers 🙌💚, hoods on, smile‑filled 780th Woodbank parkrun 🎉🥳. Volunteers are always needed to keep these mornings rolling (preferably under control 😅), so do check upcoming sessions if you fancy joining the fun 🤝✨

Perhaps this was the perfect GoodGym welcome session for Heather, as her love of all things green and growing was well and truly fulfilled. Welcome, Heather—you picked a blooming great one! 👏

Joined by two GoodGymers (Hazel and Heather—yes, it did briefly feel like a name convention) and a handful of enthusiastic local gardeners, the evening kicked off with an orientation from Aoife. Or “Eefa”. Or “Eva” (at least that's what they've heard). (Ask your Irish friend—apparently they’re all the same person, and absolutely not three different names.) Aoife expertly guided them through proper pruning techniques and set us up for the tasks ahead.

They were soon split into groups to tackle seed sowing, plant trailing, watering, weeding, repotting, and more pruning. The grand finale was relocating a heavy-duty tarpaulin/backdrop stand, which consumed the rest of their calories and possibly several muscles they didn’t know they had.

After their horticultural heroics, the team refuelled with delicious refreshments prepared by What If?, served right there in the garden. With the cherry tree in full bloom, birds providing a live soundtrack, and some lovely group reflections to round things off, it was a picture-perfect way to cap the evening.

Gardens were tended, muscles were worked, names were (mostly) learned—and another GoodGym night left us tired, happy, and slightly earthy! 🌱💪🌸 And they promised to be back again next month! 🙌

Solid workout and well done for persevering to remove as much of the wall frames as possible! 💪

The Plastic Shed refurb of 2026 has kicked off this week, with the previous shelving space used by Shuropody needing to be dismantled and removed to install murals, actual shelving, and other arty paraphernalia.

With a wide array of screwdrivers 🪛 drills, GoodGym elbow grease, and a handy crowbar, we managed to remove as much as possible, with some clinging on as a future problem. At times it felt like a rage room, with banging and drilling filling the air along with the resulting dust.

With the health and safety book firmly out of reach, the Treatment Room 2 upstairs is now filled with wall panels, wood planks (some with screws still attached...), and after some scraping and sanding from Sophie, Caitlin seemed happy with the progress made.

Top effort and teamwork from Hazel, Mandy, Fanette, Tanoshi, Sophie, and Ben!

Despite half the sign‑ups bailing at the last minute (classic British weather sabotage and they can't be blamed for canceling 👌), Lee, Hazel, and Ben heroically stepped out into full‑blown monsoon conditions for today’s litter pick collaboration with Hazel Grove Mutual Aid.

This outing was extra special because it was Lee’s very first GoodGym session — welcome aboard, Lee! 🎉 And he even brought along his son, Luca Codling, who braved the elements for his Duke of Edinburgh volunteering. Fun fact: the weather clearly sensed a new recruit and decided to give the full “authentic GoodGym baptism” of drenching rain. How thoughtful!

The original plan was to tackle Hazelwood Road… which turned out to be annoyingly clean. (How dare it!😜) So the team scattered across nearby streets, becoming soggy, determined litter‑seeking ninjas. In the chaos, the group sadly missed bumping into Lee and Luca — presumably they were somewhere nearby, also being rained on and valiantly filling bags. Still, drenched or not, everyone did their bit, every bag made a difference, and another Sunday was chalked up in support of Hazel Grove Mutual Aid’s mission. And, another half marathon completed by Ben.

Here’s hoping Luca’s DofE assessor appreciates the commitment demonstrated in near‑aquatic conditions — and here’s hoping we see both Lee and Luca (preferably in fewer inches of rainfall) at the next GoodGym Stockport session! 🌧️➡️🌤️💪