I joined Pauline's monthly litter picking posse outside Christ Church for another bash at streets around Tally Ho. Eight of us split into two teams of four and worked our way along the High Road to Churchfield Avenue, down the cut through to Woodhouse Road, then along the way toward Woodhouse College.

We spotted a road sweeper out and about, and while it was doing a great job along the roadside of the kerbs, there was plenty more for us to do. Coming back along Summers Lane, we found a stash of fly-tipped building materials and other rubbish chucked behind the hedges at the entrance to the Glebelands Indoor Bowls Club, which we bravely dug out.

All in, some lovely weather and company, and a good bit of exercise. We'll be back at it next month, but may need to bring our own kit if numbers are as good as this time.

Three Goodgymmers ran from the Phoenix to Highgate Woods, on a lovely, clear post-rain evening. Theo and George, Barnet regulars, were joined by Michael, who travelled from Tower Hamlets to join us. Michael joined Goodgym during our January challenge this year and he now tries to do two group sessions per week. Great to have him with us! And well done to Theo for getting out after an intense sprinting session the day before.

Our run took us through Cherry Tree Woods, and out the back gate onto Fordington, where the actual cherry trees are dropping ripe (and unripe - probably the birds/squirrels) cherries all over the pavements there. We then trotted through backstreets to the Capital Ring, and up the hill into Highgate Wood to meet Ranger Cindy at the cafe.

It's not quite the end of nesting season, so Cindy didn't want to disturb any late fledglings with an ivy bash. Instead, she took us to a rough-and-ready bivouac put together by children and parents visiting the woods. Despite a list of rules to follow from Cindy - don't dig up wood that's become part of the ecosystem, don't take live branches, and dismantle it all when you're done - the bivouac was still standing.

So we got to work, de-camping the logs and carrying them across the clearing to create a natural boundary. A good bit of weightlifting and jogging back and forth across the clearing, and we were done in no time at all. After a quick chat about the rescue critters Cindy had been dealing with this spring - hedgehogs and a jay - we trotted off, with a promise to be back to take care of the ivy once the nests were clear.

Goodgym helped make the second of these play street events a success for Finchley residents. Play streets are events where a residential road is closed for a few hours on a Sunday, to give neighbours a chance to play and socialise safely on the street. At this play street we had basketball, cycling, street chalks, giant Jenga and other games. Neighbours brought cakes and one of the young locals entertained everyone with some great guitar playing. The weather played its part too as it was glorious sunshine! All in all, a great time was had by all.

12 Goodgym members separately went out in the month of May to litter pick local streets and green spaces!

Phil said One full bag and 4 thank yous

Operation Orchard: GoodGym Barnet in Cherry Tree Woods

GoodGym Barnet assembled once again at our usual HQ—the Phoenix Cinema—thankfully free of last week’s MI5-style bag checks and suited security guards (though a few of us might have missed the VIP treatment).

After a soggy day of drizzle and damp forecasts, the skies cleared just in time for our latest community mission. Clearly, even the weather knows not to mess with a GoodGym evening.

We were thrilled to welcome Memory on her very first outing—though judging by her confident use of a rake and her tales of family farming, you’d never have guessed she was new. Beattie and Rachel brought their usual cheerful energy, and Subham joined us on-site at Cherry Tree Woods, slipping in like a stealth volunteer just as we arrived.

Warming up with the usual blend of light jogging (along the glamorous side pavement of the cinema), we set off on our ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ short run to the park.

Waiting for us were the wonderful Friends of Cherry Tree Woods with a mission: ( thank you Andras and Roger) Operation Orchard. Our task was to weed around the orchard trees and give them a nourishing compost boost—because even trees deserve a bit of pampering.

Armed with rakes, shovels, and occasionally just our bare hands, we dug in—literally. There was something deeply satisfying about restoring a bit of order to the wild growth. In just half an hour, we’d circled the trees, cleared the undergrowth, and emptied a whole bag of compost like eco-minded superheroes.

With the trees now happily mulched, there was just enough time for a spontaneous frisbee session in the fading light. Turns out frisbee + running = a surprising aerobic workout and a lot of laughter.

Thanks to everyone who came out—especially Memory , for making such a strong start! Same time next week, minus (we assume) the secret service.

A fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with the Tiny Forest pollinators. GoodGym out today helping to assess the impact of Tiny Forests as education and community environments. Lots of different pollinators found and photographed.