On Tuesday 23 June, GoodGym Barnet braved the heat warnings (sensibly) to stay active and help our community at Highgate Wood... actually, a great place to be in this heat!

Most of us met at the Phoenix Cinema, where the conversation quickly turned to Britain’s highest recorded temperature: 40.3°C in Lincolnshire in July 2022. Richard won the debate! This week may not reach that peak, but prolonged heat, humidity and warm nights can be particularly challenging because our bodies and buildings have less opportunity to cool down.

After a gentle warm-up, we headed through the woods to meet Cindy. She enthusiastically shared news from a recent moth survey: 47 moths were caught and a range of different species.

We then visited the developing visitor centre, which will showcase the history and ecology of Highgate Wood—including a Roman pottery kiln dating from around AD 50–150. There will also be a Cindy corner.( that sounds like a legacy)

Our task was to repair a woodland fence that had been pulled apart to build dens. With plenty of willing hands, it was soon restored, leaving time for some Forest) bathing , stretching and movement with the breath.

Thanks to everyone who came along Please continue to take care in the heat—it is not only the highest temperature that matters, but also the duration, humidity and lack of cooler nights.

shout out to Abdikani on his first Community mission great effort!

This special and hardy group made a real difference on Wednesday!

Battling the rain and chill, they dropped their usual dose of altruistic magic off at the communal garden in Barnes House Estate!

Thank you, everyone!

12 GoodGymers climbed into the rooftop breeze during Wednesday's heat wave!

We were back at the Greenwood Centre in Kentish town this week.

A regular haunt for us since January, we turned up to work the final touches ahead of the many gardens' public tours in early June!

And while we've been here in the cold and the wet and the dark of winter, we've never been here in a smoking heat wave!..

...until last night!

And so our wonderful group arrived in hats and sunscreen and with plenty of water to boot!

We welcomed Hana (on their first good deed – welcome!) as well as many wonderful regular faces: Caitlin, Ellen, Emilie, Gary, John, Jackie, Karen, Lydia, Siobhan, and Theo!

The group did so much that it was impossible for me to keep up, but I do know that we left our host Catherine feeling very pleased about the fantastic work everyone did!

And... with Karen's birthday around the corner... Ellen provided sweet celebrations with fabulous cake and strawberries! Thank you, Ellen! Happy Birthday, Karen!

Thank you, everyone! Here's to next time!

8 GoodGymers plant aplenty in Kentish Town!

This lovely group - Alex, Jackie, John, Karen, Siobhan, Steve, and Theo - arrived at Greenwood Sheltered Housing with altruistic energy on Wednesday night!

This was a new task hosted by an old friend. We hadn't been to Greenwood before but we had met our brilliant host, Frezghi.

And we swiftly got stuck into nature-based good deeding!

💚 Siobhan and Theo planted fresh lavender and weeded the front paving!

💚 Karen and John planted young lettuce!

💚 Alex, Steve, and Jackie planted aplenty in the raised beds!

Thank you, everyone! Here's to next time!