7 Goodgym folks ran to Global Gardens for the first of two visits there in April. For todays task we took to the lane to cut back the bushes and weeds that were spilling out from the allotment.

We all got to work with our secateurs, snipping away at the stingy nettles and overhanging bushes. It was therapeutic and rewarding work and we were making good progress.

Pants People (TOTP reference for you young folks!)

Jonny worked tirelessly trying to rescue an old pair of pants from the top of the bushes. Y? Coz he was briefs undie a spell!

We had taken two wheel barrows to transport the cuttings back into Global Gardens, but soon the lane was awash with greenery that the barrows could not cope with! I think it was Martin who realized the pile we needed to transport the offcuts to was just over the fence!.... Cut to...... all 7 of us trying to lob the piles of leaves, branches and nettles over the fence! ;o) Michael went around and kindly climbed aboard the bramble pile and stomped it into submission!

Stick Stick Stick Sticky Stick Stick

Once we had finished Ben fashioned a stick to help clear up the smaller leaves and twigs left in the absence of a broom. It was no Penny Lane, but it was a tidier lane!

We ran back in the drizzle for a well earned drink and chat in the pub.

Meeting at our usual place - Glassworks, we welcomed our first timer Ben.

CROESO

Tonight we were making our way to the Samye Foundation Wales, making use of the Spring light and better weather by getting outside for what is now dubbed "The sleeping edition".

The main tasks were putting some potatoes to bed and creating a new plant bed with railway sleepers.

Michael split the groups and sent 3 volunteers to the back yard, Rosie, Dylan and Jessica. Tasks, to remove and weeds, dig over the ground, and then pop the potatoes into their new beds ready to grow and provide some food in the summer.

The second group then had a few different jobs to complete, weeding around the doorways, the seating area and in front of the current raised bed. Then it was time to get destructive....Rip out the old wood, hoping that the beds don't collapse. Thankfully the liners and roots of plants held the soil in place, so as the wood was removed, broken down and then stacked a few people got to weed the now exposed area. Then came the lifting and carrying, each sleeper needed two volunteers to move, as we brick stacked them into their new locations wondering how they would finally be attached (Lorraine was deciding this later).

We managed to make out way through the whole list of tasks, and took some down time within the centre to chat and have some lovely soup which they had made for us. A little later back on this return, but the soup was worth it!

Firstly, on a rainy, windy day we have to congratulate our first timer... Misbah

HUGE Welcome / CROESO

After welcoming the crew at the start point, and setting off the walking group, Michael led the joggers up to task.... All Hill and chatting.

We skipped the queue and went straight to task tonight, fighting to miss the worst of the rain. Our mammoth task, The Salvation Army, young person hostel was having a clear out. Bed bases, fridges, microwaves and sofas... All broken and needing to go.

Could we CAERPHILLY fit them all in the big yellow SKIP.

All hands gloved up, Michael’s freshly laundered gloves provided for all. Everyone got to work, picking, carrying and then filling the skip. Some items needed breaking down... Is that a job for Jake? According to “little boy Jonnie” it may need a real man. However, Lucy was having none of this, even after coming up with Jonnies new nickname for the night. Between them, the crew managed to smash a double bed base and a sofa. Filling the skip to the brim (see photos for their amazing workout)

Walkers arrived during the mayhem and skipped their way through to the nature task. The hostel had found some waste whilst clearing for a new woodland and wildlife garden, it gets sunlight first thing and will be an amazing space for the residents in summer. But to make the space, several overgrown and over bearing buddlejas had to be removed. Whilst they are good sources of nectar for butterflies, the plan is to seed the space with lots more native mixes providing nectar and seeds for a selection of wildlife throughout the year. The volunteers were tasked with taking the cut down branches and stems, to create a dead hedge against the wall of the garden entrance. This would have climbing plants eventually planted, and provide somewhere safe for birds, insects, voles and maybe a hedgehog or two.

As soon as the skip was nearing its capacity, Michael encouraged some volunteers to join the hedge building.

Tasks completed, one last trip to skip for the group photo.

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.

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.

The rain stayed away for the final pre-task litter pick of January.

8 goodgymers met to collect rubbish in the city centre before heading off to meet those attending the main group session.

the final push to hit our 160 deeds is on!