Bonfire Barnet: Marshmallows, Moonlight and Community Spirit!

It was our first full-dark Tuesday since the clocks went back, but that didn’t stop the GoodGym Barnet crew from lighting up the night quite literally!

We gathered at the Phoenix Cinema, where the staff had gone all out with their Halloween decorations a suitably spooky backdrop for the evening. After a quick catch-up, we numbered up, chose our back marker, and set off along East Finchley High Street on our short run to the Finchley Charities allotments at Fuel Lands.

Finchley Charities is one of Barnet’s oldest community organisations, supporting local people through almshouses and community initiatives. Their allotment space is now being used to grow food for the local food bank and as a hub for education and wellbeing.

We met Simon on arrival and waited for Scarlett before heading through the gates to our task burning brambles and shifting compost bags. The fire soon crackled to life, feeding on the cuttings, while the ashes were set aside to nourish the fruit trees later.

Then came a surprise treat Bridget produced a bag of marshmallows and some impressively long sticks! Cue laughter, firelight, and toasted sugar under the night sky not your typical Tuesday evening run.

As we reflected the next day, it struck us what an unusual but joyful way it was to spend an evening: running, chatting, laughing, helping out, and toasting marshmallows together.

We cooled down with a gentle walk back to the Phoenix, where a few of us stopped for refreshments and a final chat.

Thanks to everyone who came along, ran, walked, and lent a hand. If you fancy doing something a bit different on a Tuesday night and helping your local community while you’re at it come and join us at GoodGym Barnet!