It was back to Holgate Allotments for tonight's task but before we set off we had a fair bit of cheering to do. First off we welcomed newcomer Jody who was joining us for her first ever goodgym session. Welcome Jody! 👋

We also gave a big round of applause to everyone who had taken part in the Snake Lane 10miler over the weekend. There were PBs for Jane, James, Amy and Ed as well as an excellent showing from Neil, Leanne, Nick and Steve. Well done guys 💪

Over the weekend Stef had also completed his 400th parkrun at the York Community Woodland event (or YoCoWo for short). Awesome work Stef!

Finally it was time to set off to the task with Ed leading the run out and Laura backmarking, whilst Nikki led a small walking group and Vicky led a steadier running crew. Upon arrival, we were greeted by Helen who swiftly got one group underway on cutting back some bramble along the side of Holgate beck, whilst the rest of the group were given the very simple instruction of getting everything clear from the shed!

Before too long, there were all sorts of old tools making their way from the shed and down the line of able GoodGymers before being taken back towards the top of the allotments. Sam was our man in the shed, with Vicky coordinating the movements on the outside whilst the rest of the group did an excellent job of running back and forth with various items including an awful lot of spade handles, screws, saws, and what appeared to be a giant corkscrew.

As efficient as ever, the GG crew got the shed completely cleared with time to spare and so as a bonus shifted a few other items from the allotment including a very heavy oil drum which Jamie and Nick duly rolled all the way back to the top of the allotments, much to the delight of Paul Kelly who thought it resembled a barrel from Donkey Kong!

With the shed and brambles all clear and the rain starting to pour down, we stopped for our team photo and a quick but complex fitness sesh that involved holding a squat position and attempting to get out of it without moving at the same time as anyone else. Turns out it's easier to manage with 13 people but significantly harder in a group of 26!

It was then back to the Ackhorne for a quick stretch and a pint for a small group of thirsty volunteers

Thirteen GoodGymers made it out despite the rain and cold to distribute over 12 boxes of brochures and leaflets for York International Women's Week.

Spirits were high tonight as we continued our excellent start to 2026 with another great turnout. Ed, clearly struggling from over-indulging at weekend, just about remembered what to do for the group run intro as we celebrated all those that had helped out at another hugely successful York Community Woodland parkrun, especially run director Michael 💪

I'm not being held responsible for a load of wet trainers - Ruth

After numbering off and much debate about whether the river path was open, Rich led out a small walking group, whilst Ed led the main group backmarked by Vicky and Babs. There was a little bit of confusion when we arrived as Ed and task owner Nicola hadn't agreed exactly where we would be meeting at Millennium Fields, so we gambled on a light in the distance belonging to Nicola and not a dog walker.

I was never sure whether I was supposed to be the bird or the bee - Rich

Fortunately the gamble paid off and we were soon being led down to an area that we had worked on previously where apparently the bird and bee seeds had been hugely successful. Cue some interesting conversations about the birds and bees and even bears!

Meanwhile a small splinter group featuring Jane, Daniel, Kit and Jamie got to work turning over the compost bays that have been a bit of a staple of good gym millennium fields tasks over the years. This time with the added challenge of just having 2 spades between them.

Another group armed with trowels got to work on the bee bank although I'm not entirely sure exactly what it was they were doing, but i was informed by Abi that it was very good for a particular type of butterfly 🦋

Once enough seeds were sown it was then time for a quick fitness session involving running around and getting into different sized groups depending on the number that Ed shouted out. There's still some confusion over exactly how many people were at the session tonight with every number seemingly dividing well enough to not leave anyone without a group 🤔