As the leaves began to fall, GoodGym Barnet gathered at the Phoenix Cinema to warm up ahead of tonight's task in East Finchley. Rachel brought this week's icebreaker, asking what childhood books had shaped us. We followed George's lead, and skipped and jogged along the High Road up to the Fuel Land Allotments, discussing all things Roald Dahl to Tolkien.

Once we reached the imposing metal gates, our GoodGym crew grew again. Great to see Simone, alongside our regulars, and special shout out to Will who joined us for the first time and hopefully not the last. The staff and volunteers from Finchley Charities led us through the gates into the allotments, a green oasis hidden away from the busy street and even sheltered from the autumnal winds blowing beyond.

Once gloved up, we got to work. Beattie wielded a mattock and no bramble stood a chance. Lucy and Simone helped fill in gaps around the pond, taking care to leave the logs undisturbed that served as a bridge for amphibious friends. George got his steps in while ferrying a wheelbarrow along the length of the allotment. Rachel and Will made fast work of building a new compost heap, keeping an eye out for nesting slow worms.

As evening descended, we dug through the soil (and agreed it's officially time to dig out the head torches). Once we were satisfied with what we could still see of our handiwork, we were thanked for our efforts and could leave the allotments knowing we've helped both Finchley Charities and Finchley Food Bank. The leaves may be turning golden and the days getting shorter, but that won't stop GoodGym Barnet from lending a helping hand and digging deep where we're needed.

The Phoenix was swarming with film-goers eager for the world premiere of a new documentary about dogs, Dog$piracy. Given the threatening clouds, the cinema seemed like a great place to be, but, never to be put off, our three indomitable Goodgymmers had a mission!

We set off for Coldfall Wood - and into a cold downpour - jogging our way through backstreets. At an opportune clearing in the woods, we stopped for a bit of stretching and, by the time we were back out on Muswell Hill Playing Fields, the rain had cleared up. Crossing the fields, we spied Simone, who met us at the site, and Linda from the Friends of Cold Fall Woods, chatting away around trusty - ploggers and sacks. Great to Simone her back after a hiatus!

After a quick intro, we fanned out across the north field, clearing rubbish and catching up. Beattie got stuck into the brambles, where a few people were out gathering berries. Rachel and the others skirted the perimeter, clearing dog poo bags tossed into the undergrowth because the bin was buried in brambles and nettles. Not a job for us, fortunately - Linda reported that, and a pile of fly-tipping by the gate to the flats north of the fields.

And then, with our work done, we piled the rubbish sacks ready for collection, waved a cheery goodbye to Simone and jogged our way back to the Phoenix. The cinema-goers had only just gone in for the screening by then, so we snuck a quick refreshment in to celebrate a job well done, before trekking home.

Hope to see people next week when we've been asked to help with an emergency watering job for the new planters at Lyttleton Playing Fields.

Simone and Claudia met at the Food Bank Aid this afternoon and spent few hours helping out organise all the food deliveries.

We were joined by another Food Bank volunteer and the three of us worked none stop to complete what seemed like an impossible task.

We got there and there were food bags and Sainsbury’s and Tesco crates everywhere. Have a look at the before and after pictures.

The team did a cracking job!

Keep up the great work.

Peas & loaf GGers!

On Halloween, Laura, Simone and Yeskia helped with registration and distributed bracelets to visitors at the entrance for Stephens house Halloween event. Simone was stationed at the entrance to the spooky cellar, while Laura and Yeskia went around the gardens where the "ghost hunt" was organized for children. They checked everything was in order and ensured that everyone had a great time.