Tonight we are joining the wonderful Grow Cardiff at their site over at the Grange Medical Centre.

But before we start the jog of joy, we have some welcomes to make...

Owen and Samuel, thank you for joining goodgym on your very first task.

Croeso

A longer route out to the task to help us hit those km goals this week. It wasn't too long until we were at the task. A quick chat about the project and what they do. Supporting social prescribing to therapeutic community gardens for health and well-being.

Our task tonight, to finish updating the polytunnel. Removing old wooden batons, old netting and the old plastic behind this. All to help with temperature control in the Summer months.

We started with filling out the new net to get the right size for cutting, whilst the old batons were quickly removed with a crowbar. Then it was time for us to get destructive, ripping down the old netting and plastic with the might of goodgym arms. Everyone had a section and ripped until, like a plaster, it was all down.

We can rebuild you, we have the technology

It was time to get the plastic cut to length, but the only piece that we had was exceptionally large. As the evening started to get a bit windy, it took the entire group to keep it in place on the floor - that's what the weight of goodgym is for. The Grow Cardiff team got to cutting with the Stanley knife, and then the volunteers held it up in place just to check that the size was okay.

As we held the plastic in place, Chris went around with the (temperamental) staple gun, securing it to its final position. It took 2 pieces of plastic to cover the length of the polytunnel, so plenty of time for the volunteers to get chatty with each other.

The plastic had to be trimmed, but whilst this was done by grow Cardiff, we started on the opposite end securing the length of netting. As we met in the middle it looked a little bit like we were trying to catch a gardener with our net...(see pictures).

The final task for the evening, to put the batons in place to secure everything fully. This involved cutting pieces to length and then nailing them into position.

Hammer time

Everyone had a go, as the three hammers where passed around with the nails. Dylan took a hammering, Samuel & Owen nailed it. Aaron managed to break his phone screen protector...still not sure how. Jonathan was our act of chivalry as he gave his goodgym jacket to a cold Lucy, now forever know as Chief Hammerer Lucy.

Finally finished (a bit later than usual), it was time for a quick group photo before heading out on a shorter run back (to make up for time).

Join us next week as we celebrate our 09th anniversary of goodgym in Cardiff. Sign up here to join us at Samye for our task and celebration (there will be cake!)

11 goodgymers were raring to go, eager to help out another community project.

It's Tuesday, it's goodgym

A short run from our start location, Darren led to run out, a nice easy jg along the river Taff on a Spring evening. As we arrived at the Church and community Centre we met with the task organiser. Unfortunately the gold paint had been forgotten, so that task was off the table, but there was still plenty to do.

Welcome back Wendy, glad you've chosen to return.

We split into 2 groups, one to weed and tidy up the back of the Church and one to complete some garden maintenance at the front of the Church.

But before we got to work on the weeding it was time to embarrass Rosie with her badge. She had hit a milestone last task, and hit her 50th good deed. As it was missed we decided to give her her giant 50 badge on this task.

Well done Rosie

The back of the church was hard at work, removing those weeds and clearing moss dropped onto drain covers. But still time to stop and give us a pose for a good photo...

gilet Su

Around the front was the bush cutting trials. As Julian, our organiser was clearing the roof of moss, we were cutting back Hebe, tidying planters and sweeping like we were in Mary Poppins....

Helo Teddy

As we were clearing we thought we'd found our new goodgym mascot, in a bush of all places.

Winnie the Pun!

As we closed down the Volunteering, it was decided that the Bear looked better in the bush.

It's the new mascot for the Church.... A quick group photo and it was time to head back yo the start location for a nice social. Goodgymers, you rock... Always Bear-lieve in yourself!

Back at the Glassworks we were joined by Flora, there for a DBS check in order to start older people missions. She decided to join the party and stay with the group, hoping we see you soon at a group task too.

Join us next week as we return to the wonderful grow Cardiff in Grangetown to help with their community garden at the medical hub.

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