The January challenge had been a great success, now well rested it was time to get going for the rest of the year. We were back at St. Dyfrig and St. Samson for our first task with them for 2026.

From Little Things Big Things Grow

A simple sounding task tonight, helping to clear the growth in the carpark from over winter, tidying up the space.

The carpark is vital to allow those with access needs to get as close to their church as possible. The Church also opens up as a warm space and for regular community activity, offering hot drinks and a vital form of connection with others in the local community.

With 9 goodgymers braving the cold, we had a quick warm up and Chat before heading out for our active travel to the task. As soon as we arrived we were welcomed by our organiser, Julian.

A little light work

A group of volunteers

A BIG DIFFERENCE

We split into groups to cover the different areas, one groups straight to work on the main part at the back of the Church. The second, larger group, tackling the side where the most growth was.

Julian used the lights from his car for the large group to get to work, whilst the goodgym powerful light was used for the smaller group.

Everyone was hard at work, removing greenery, soil and and rubbish, sweeping and separating for the correct bins. Jonathan even allowed his pocket boy out for some extra work...well done Dylan.

It was soon time to down tools for the evening, thanks as always to our wonderful volunteers. Whether your first visit of the year (Su) or smashing out every group run in 2026 (Jake). You are all equally awesome.

A quick group photo and then two group heading back, the joggers and the walkers.

On a rainy Tuesday night, 7 Goodgymers ran to Grangetown to remove some furniture for it to be collected the next day.

Chair today, gone tomorrow

We split into groups and began using the bin bags to cover the items to protect them from the elements overnight. We needed to remove a chair, fridge, bed frame and mattress.

Fridge over troubled water

Once everything was covered we had to get everything down from the first floor. The fridge caused the most problems but we managed to navigate the corridor and stairs - although some unpleasant leakage meant Jake would have to wash his gloves and trainers later on! :o(

It's all about the (bed) base

When we were done, we all did a little anti-rain dance, hoping the weather was kind to the items overnight, so they were not too soggy for collection the next day.

We ran back as a group, happy that the first good deed of Feb was done.

Tonight's celebration for our resident islander David.

The last week of the January Challenge, that means the last group run for the month.

Push it

All out in force we saw 13 goodgymers for the group task, after an already impressive 8 for an earlier litterpick.

Those deeds where flying this week, and whilst on the subject of

Congratulations DAVE for hitting 100 and beyond

Those jogging and running met at the Glassworks as usual, for a jaunty 4.5km distance (total there and back). Whilst the walkers met at the task and then walked back.

Our task organiser tonight was the Samye Foundation, hosted by the lovely Lorraine. Greeted by the board of tasks it was a good night for 13 volunteers.

• Removing staples from paperwork
• Shredding paperwork
• Vacuuming building 252
• Mopping kitchen and toilets in building 252
• Vacuum the shrine room in building 250
• Wipe down the bannisters
• Vacuum the mindfulness practice room
• Mop the corridors and Tibetan café
• Repot the large plant out front

Quite a list tonight, but as Cardiff is on challenge mode nothing was going to phase us. We split into three groups, 1 outside and 2 split between the buildings.

We had a shredder overheating, and a group turning from removing staples to ripping documents. Our two horticulturists, repotting plants outside. Cleaning teams working in the furthest building, loving a vacuum and wipe down. No winging it tonight (except for Dave) only a full McCulundred % would do. From one building to another, stairs, corridors and the beautiful shrine room. We were truly blessed to be in there.

We tore through those tasks

As the bell finally rang for tools down, the crew were gathered for a celebratory sit down with soup. We had been treated to a wonderful fresh vegetable soup made by Lorraine.

2 SOUPS

We finished and bid farewell, taking a quick group photo outside before heading off for the night.

But wait, there's more... As this is our last group task of the month it’s time for food. Tonight for the burger deal.

Martin became the third club member to reach 300 deeds tonight! Congratulations and well done Martin, an amazing achievement. You are a true Graff-ter

He was awarded a Goodgym trident to mark the auspicious occasion!

It was a wet and dreary evening but 6 other GG-ers were there to support Martin in doing some good!

The task at hand was to clear down the perimeter wall at the Salvation Army, which was covered in weeds and nettles. We had to really tri-hard to cut and pull off the stubborn greenery, at some points it was a 3 pronged attack. The group tried-to-make-a-dent, but in fact they did much more than that, clearing a large percentage of the wall.

This week there was more chat about Microsoft Excel as we went about our work, but the only Graff plotted was how we would get back to the pub to celebrate.

When we got back we created a little clothes line to dry out our soggy gear! Then some folks ordered food - which they ate with a traditional 4 pronged fork! ;o)

We toasted Martin's milestone and enjoyed the welsh cakes he kindly brought with him. A grand old evening.