Superbarkchip Sweep

32 Goodgymers helped their local community in York
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York

Monday 5th August 2019

Report written by York runner

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It was another evening of celebrations as we marveled at Team Gover for having a crack at another absolutely bonkers endurance event, all the amazing York 10k performances, a successful fell race (and Emily's win) AND the elite squad of Leanne, Paul Kelly and Stef representing at the GG Olympics. What a weekend!

Tonight we welcomed along Izzy to her first ever group run, and we split into two teams with Tim and Mitch leading a group to Glen Gardens to shift around 10 tonnes of bark whilst I led the other group to the Groves to start a new project with Flower Power.

Tim's Glen Gardens Report

Our task was expertly lead out by vice-president of the task Mitch. When we arriving it took us a moment to locate task owner Iain and his massive pile of woodchip. We like a good pile, so were pleased with the simple task of moving the big pile of bark to a flowerbed, to help stop the weed grow back.

With expert raking and direction from our ladies who rake, Lauren, Lindsay, Jackie and Amy, we quickly had the whole area filled with bark. Despite some of our more naughty members playing some bumper barrows with the wheelbarrows. I am looking at you Katie and Craig!

Spotting some spare hands, we got to work speed weeding so we could tip all of the last woodchips into the flowerbeds. Whilst Rich and Barbara sneaked off for some extra secret lopping behind the basketball courts.

We swept up the last of the woodchips to keep the beautiful Glen Gardens clean and tidy and we dashed off to join Egg's crew for fit-tastic fitness sesh!

Egg's Flower Power Report

In the Groves we were welcomed by the lovely Mamta who told us a bit about Flower Power and their project to 'Green up the Groves', which is a residential area in York with very little green space. Our task was to initiate the transformation of a small corner plot into what will be a beautiful colourful flower bed.

It's too early in the season for planting but we had to edge the new flower bed border, dig out the turf whilst retaining as much soil as possible and turn over the soil to remove any weeds and roots. Maddy found herself spadeless and wondering how she could be helpful.

I'll let you shake my grass! - Leanne

The team made quick progress with edgers carefully carving out little squares which could be easily extracted by spaders. Our task officially ended when the Glen Gardens group ran over to join us and we'd just dug out the last section when they arrived. They even managed to photobomb our group shot.

We all headed into Park Grove Academy for our fitness session using their wooden outdoor play equipment. In pairs, everyone had to take turns in doing shuttle runs and a variety of exercises including:

  • box jumps
  • hurdles
  • beam presses
  • the floater
  • uneven squats

Then we had a steady run back with Mitch doing a solo sprint finish. Both Huw and Becky provided some excellent cakes this week.

It's just generic cake. To celebrate running (Huw)

Marianne suggested that we're missing a trick by not advertising all the cake when people sign up to sessions but we love to keep it as a really amazing secret bonus!

Pun credit, Ed Woollard


Session Leader
This task supported
Flower Power York
We grow flowers/herbs and use them to help improve people's wellbeing through workshops and social activities, tackling loneliness and social isolation.

We are mindful about what we grow to provide a sensory experience for our beneficiary groups which include people living with dementia, those who have lost their sight and the homeless. We provide our beneficiaries the opportunity to work with locally grown flowers in social activities which help invoke nostalgic memories, connect people with nature and wildlife and help create friendships, helping reduce loneliness and isolation.

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Attendees
Lizzie Kershaw
Leanne
Melissa Jordan
Becky Moylett
Ed Woollard
Nicola Gover
Tim Mckenzie
Lauren Forecast
Huw
Paul Kelly
Mitch
Jackie
Gareth Davison
Craig
Emily Collins
Simon Brook
Vicky Hearson
Marianne Wilson
Jenny Pummell
Michael Leadbetter
Amy Woollard
Laura Barrett
Helen Graham
Herbie Hedgecock
Join us on our next session

York

Helping maintain York Cemetery
🗓Today 6:15pm

Improve the environment

+8
Abigail DartonAmy Woollard
EllieCara Organ
13 GoodGymers are going

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