♪ Just a sprinkle of rain can't stop us now ♪
♪ We're off to a nature park, no need to frown ♪
♪ We'll pick up litter and clear the grass ♪
♪ Nothing can dampen our spirits, it'll be a blast ♪

♪ The rain is falling, but we don't mind ♪
♪ We'll put on our raincoats, we're one of a kind ♪
♪ We'll gather together, our bags and gloves in tow ♪
♪ And head out to Boundary Brook, let's go, let's go! ♪

♪ The rain is pouring, the wind is strong ♪
♪ But we keep moving, all evening long ♪
♪ We pick up litter, glass, and metal too ♪
♪ We're making a difference, and that's what we'll do ♪

♪ The grass is long, but we don't fret ♪
♪ We grab our tools, and work up a sweat ♪
♪ We clear the pond area, revealing hidden gems ♪
♪ And keep going strong, until the session's end ♪

♪ The rain keeps falling, but we don't stop ♪
♪ We're determined, until the very last drop ♪
♪ And with every bag filled, we feel a sense of pride ♪
♪ Knowing that we're helping the environment to thrive ♪

♪ We finish the session with a sense of accomplishment ♪
♪ Feeling like we've made a positive development ♪
♪ We take a moment to appreciate the beauty around ♪
♪ And vow to continue our efforts to keep it sound ♪

On Saturday six goodgymers descended upon Oxford City Farm to offer hands for the annual Wassailing event. For those unfamiliar, Wassailing is a pagan tradition, usually performed in January, with the hope of waking up the spirits into ensuring a good harvest the following year. In our experience, this largely translated into lots of saucepan, pot or potty (!) banging, singing while marching around the farm and lots of mulled apple juice (for both trees and humans alike)!

We were warmly greeted by Maria, in her rainbow bobble hat (much needed!) to match her joyous self, and divvied up on tasks; Lucy and Laura headed to the gate, keeping a track of how many Wassail-goers arrived, while Chris and Zoe did a fantastic job of crowd control while waiting for the urn to boil with a plethora of eager tea and coffee requests only a few minutes after our arrival! Alice floated between roles, helping Phil set up the fire, aiding café requests and ensuring to make time for the highly demanded Shaun the sheep photoshoot, while moving between the different stations (priorities!!).

Not only were over 100 people were able to attend the event put on by Oxford City Farm for free (very much supported by our hands), but we also were treated to some farm-iliar faces – With goodgyms very own Louise busy at work in the kitchen and an enthusiastic wave to Sarah McFadden across the shrubbery.

Managing to somehow stay dry despite a very threatening raincloud lingering all afternoon, we wrapped up by sampling some (amazing) Jerusalem artichoke cake (served with a side of mild confusion for the other kind of artichoke and its baking logistics), a photo shoot with the sheep, and left with our pockets full of left over brownies as a reward for all that good deedin’.

Well done everyone; what a baaaaa-rilliant afternoon! While the farm is not yet open every day, if you are keen to get more involved with the farm (be that for your 1st,5th or 18th time at the farm!), Maria would be more than happy to chat to any goodgymers (and the wider community) about volunteering opportunities; you can find more details on the Oxford City Farm website as a first port of call.

On our many meanders around Oxford we noticed that the area around Florence Park was getting really rather grotty. Lots of litter, fly tipping and general detritus needed clearing up.

Enter stage left, GOODGYM

We divided and conquered the roads and footpaths around the park, finding the usual mix of snack wrappers, takeaway containers, drinks cans, masks and, of course, some pants!

Congratulations and big gold stars to Katie on 100 good deeds!!

Welcome to Zoe! Thank you for joining us and we hope to see you again soon at another session.

A fond farewell and good luck to Holly who is DESERTING us to move to London. Be sure to come back and visit us sooooooon!!

Last night was our monthly flash-mob at the Oxford Mutual Aid foodbank. Throughout the winter we go in regularly to do a thorough clean. We are gradually working our way around the main food storage areas moving all the stock, cleaning the area and then restacking it. This month's area was one of the biggest stacks of ambient food and cleaning supplies in the centre of the room. It was all stacked more than head-high, so quite a challenge to get it all moved. Nonetheless, it felt like before we'd even dished out all the jobs most of the stack was shifted and the cleaning was underway - whenever I see the GoodGym team pull together like this it seems like the very definition of Many Hands Make Light Work.

While most of the group took care of the big move and clean, the rest headed into the kitchen area. There they sorted through the fresh fruit and veg, getting rid of anything going mouldy. Fridges were cleaned, surfaces wiped down, food waste removed and the floor mopped.

Also ticked off the 'To Do' list: cleaning and restacking the dirty food crates, portioning up tea bags, a bit of putting away donations.

Lot's achieved - well done all!