Over two days, GoodGym volunteers joined Earthwatch at Mutton Brook to investigate how Barnet’s four Tiny Forests are developing.

The oldest forest, now four years old, is tall and healthy but it has already lived through some remarkable conditions. The UK first exceeded 40°C in 2022, 2025 became our warmest summer on record, and London is experiencing increasingly frequent periods of extreme heat and dry soil. These forests are becoming valuable living experiments in how young urban woodland copes with a changing climate.

On the second day, a great turnout meant we completed the required belt transects across all four forests. Along each straight line, we measured every tree growing within half a metre on either side, creating a one-metre-wide sample. Repeating this process in future years will show how quickly the trees are growing and allow Earthwatch to estimate how much carbon they are storing.

We also managed some valuable weeding, reducing competition for water before the welcome rain arrived. in particular, thank you to Patrick and Abdellah

Among the three newer forests, the middle one where the ground was prepared with biochar appears to be faring better than those on either side. That is only an observation for now, but the measurements will help reveal whether that difference continues. This is exactly what makes the site so interesting.

Thank you to Grace, Earthwatch and everyone who came along. We hope to hold regular sessions with GoodGym and the Friends group, so come and help us follow the story of these trees as it unfolds.

Brook to Brook by Bike

A foggy start didn’t stop four adventurous GoodGym Barnet cyclists heading out to explore some of the best traffic-free routes in the borough.

Subham, Peter Jack and Paul met in Mill Hill on a misty morning, with the promise of sunshine later in the day, and set off along the beautiful Dollis Valley Greenwalk.

Within minutes the traffic noise faded and we were gliding along quiet paths and green corridors, the sort of places that make you wonder why more people don’t cycle around Barnet.

After following the valley north we climbed gently towards Hadley Wood, arriving at the lovely Jack’s Lake, tucked away beside Hadley Golf Course. This peaceful fishing lake is the source of the Pymmes Brook, and it made the perfect stop to admire the view before continuing the journey.

From there we followed the route of the brook, weaving along long stretches of car-free paths with the occasional quiet lane, enjoying the feeling of travelling through green spaces that most people never realise are there.

As if perfectly timed, the sun finally broke through the clouds, warming the day as we made our way back towards Stephens House & Gardens, where the ride finished with some well-earned refreshments in the sunshine.

Rides like this show just how good cycling can be in Barnet — peaceful routes, hidden nature spots and a great way to get active with good company.

🚴 We’re hoping to make these relaxed social rides a regular thing, perfect for anyone looking to get into cycling, build confidence, and explore the area in a sustainable way.

If you fancy joining a future ride, keep an eye on GoodGym Barnet or get in touch.

This week we headed to Stephens House and Gardens to support Helen and the brilliant volunteer team who help keep this local gem thriving.

The task? Clear a well-used pathway that had become narrowed by mud and creeping vegetation over the winter months. Armed with spades, forks and plenty of enthusiasm, we scraped back layers of mud, cut back encroaching growth and reshaped the edges.

The result was immediately visible — a wider, cleaner and far more welcoming path, safer underfoot and much more aesthetically pleasing.

Because we were working right on the path, we had lovely interactions with park users throughout the session. Several stopped to thank us, which is always a reminder of the simple but powerful impact of practical volunteering.

Stephens House and Gardens is very much sustained by volunteers and by the local community who support the café and events in the house. If you haven’t visited recently, do pop in — grab a coffee, enjoy the grounds, or consider joining a future volunteering session.

A satisfying morning’s work, good company, and tangible results — exactly what Community Missions are all about.

On a crisp winter evening, GoodGym Barnet met at the Phoenix Cinema before a sociable 2km run to the local gem that is Stephens House & Gardens — the beautiful 1870s Italianate house set within its much-loved pocket park.

Our task was to polish the house’s unique original pine staircase, crafted from timber believed to be over 300 years old. Armed with beeswax and cloths, we spread ourselves along the steps, carefully feeding the wood and bringing it back to life. It was warm, satisfying work — and a meaningful way to help reduce maintenance costs for the charity. Mel p advised us how to work with beeswax and cloths.

Some runners joined us at the house, and we were very kindly rewarded with tea and coffee before heading back to the Phoenix.

Stephens House is a real Barnet treasure, hosting everything from Sunday lunches and seasonal fairs to exhibitions and summer theatre. Do support them — whether by volunteering, attending events or visiting the café.

Huge congratulations to Subham on his 50th good deed 👏 and Gavin on his first GoodGym run. Give him a cheer.. Great to see Scarlett, and lovely to welcome visitors Theo and Peter Hale.

Thanks to everyone who came along to support this fantastic park and house!

In beautiful winter sunshine, George Peter ( welcome great to see you!) and I (Paul Salman) had the pleasure of representing GoodGym Barnet at a wonderfully uplifting community orchard planting day, organised in partnership with The Orchard Project and Earthwatch. It took place in a small, little-known park one of those hidden green spaces that reminds you how many surprises still exist close to home if you’re willing to step slightly off your usual path.

Around 20 people came together, from children to seasoned GoodGym runners, all drawn by the idea of turning an underused space into something vibrant, productive, and shared. Lizzy from The Orchard Project guided us with infectious enthusiasm and crystal-clear explanations not just what to do, but why we were doing it this way. Square holes (not round!) to help roots spread, fungal powder to encourage healthy growth, careful staking, and making sure the graft union sat safely above soil level every detail felt purposeful.

We planted a rich mix of fruit trees and bushes designed to encourage biodiversity and community use for generations. An Apple Discovery, ripening early in August and kept low so children can reach the fruit easily. A beautiful pear tree, tall, long-lived, and potentially standing here for 150 years now that is a legacy. Plums, greengage, Golden Drop (ready in September), plus an edible island of fruiting bushes and herbs, all adding layers of colour, food, and habitat to the park.

Fuelled by an astonishingly generous vegan lunch (so plentiful people were encouraged to take food home), we returned to finish the planting and then gathered for wassailing singing to bless the trees and wish them a strong harvest. We used a traditional song sheet from Hackney Wassailand while I can’t guarantee my singing will help the trees grow, let’s hope it doesn’t do the opposite.

A new green space has been gently nudged into life, with the hope it draws people in, grows food, builds connection, and maybe even inspires more singing next yearafter a fantastic harvest.

if you’d like to visit Freehold Community Centre 9 Alexandra RoadLondonN10 2EY London England N10 2EY GB

Also, if you’d like to do your own orchard singing

https://hackneywassail.org.uk/songsheet/