GoodGym Bath

BathGroup run
Nev Leaning
Meyrick Williams
Emily Kitson
Cosmo Born

The Last of the Great Pleasure Gardens

Sunday 26th October

Written by Meyrick Williams (He/Him)

It was really cold when I left the house this morning, so cold I almost, for a fleeting instant, changed my mind. But my committed GoodGym heart wouldn't let me. Also, we're only in Autumn and mornings will get much colder than this.

Turned out to be much milder than I'd first thought, especially in the sunshine. Four GoodGymmers braved this (barely) chilling day to help our Friends of Sydney Gardens once again. This week it was weeding the flower beds by the tennis courts. Cosmo, Emily, Nev and Nev were on hand to assist with this.

As usual, the hour went by so quickly and we'd done a huge amount. We are due back for several more visits to the Gardens before the end of the year, prepping for Winter, so please come and join us if you can.

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BathCommunity mission
Paul Oakes
Kam
Meyrick Williams
Jer Boon
Amy G
Ruth
Emily Kitson

Take Me to Your Lido

Saturday 18th October

Written by Meyrick Williams (He/Him)

There are many attachments that people have to missions. Some are a memory of that place from long ago, like fingerprints on a forgotten handrail, others are sparked by a sense of community, of what's right; this mission had both.

From some of us old timers who remember being here back in the 70's and 80's, to those younger GoodGymmers who perhaps never swam here but as proud Bathonians are fully bought into the wonderful story behind this location, there was a feeling of something special about this task.

It was a very autumnal morning when six GoodGymmers found their way to the Cleveland Pools - the UK’s oldest Lido - here to help with whatever they needed as we move towards the winter. Ruth, Emily, Amy, Kam, Meyrick and Paul were on hand to help, and we were greeted by the unexpected but always very welcome appearance of Jer.

Seriously, we would have done anything they asked to help, but it was weeding they needed us to do today, clearing a lot of unwanted growth from the flower beds and tidying up the edges. We did enormous amounts in the time we had, and a big shout out to Mary and Sally, Cleveland Pools volunteers, for giving us the grand tour of this incredible site, many thanks.

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BathCommunity mission
Cosmo Born
Meyrick Williams
Emily Kitson

Lost in compost

Sunday 19th October

Written by Emily Kitson

It was all about the compost on Sunday in Alice Park... Richard, Emily and Meyrick got stuck into a compost production line - shovelling, sieving and wheelbarrowing, and then got to build a compost lasagne, layering up leafy bits, cardboard, grass, yum! Then multi tasker Meyrick also worked with Cosmo in the greenhouse, processing compost from tomato plants, ready to be re-used and recycled next year... We finished up with tea and cake to celebrate Meyrick's amazing 200 GoodGym tasks!

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BathGroup run
Nev Leaning
Bennath Atkinson
Meyrick Williams
Tanya Lock
Aaron Carrington
Cosmo Born

Digweed

Sunday 12th October

Written by Meyrick Williams (He/Him)

It ain't summer anymore is it? It was a great one, I can imagine when we are all retired we'll be like, "remember the summer of 2025? That was awesome wasn't it?" I shouldn't complain too much, it wasn't that cold on Sunday as six eager GoodGymmers rocked up to Sydney gardens for another session with our colleagues, The Friends of Sydney Gardens.

We never know what's in store for us, although it will be something gardening related. It was a pretty good turn out this week, so we were Gill divided us into two groups, one weeding the flower beds around the tennis courts, the other digging up more earth around the entrance to the grotto.

What were the names of these six heroes? Newcomer (and very welcome you are too) Nev, regulars Cosmo, Aaron, Bennath were joined by new Taskforce member Tanya as well as Meyrick.

We made quick work as usual, and the weather can't have been too bad as we retired to the Holburne Museum Cafe afterwards and sat outside drinking our beverages.

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BathCommunity mission
Tanya Lock
Ruth
Meyrick Williams

Bringing up the rear at Bath junior park run

Sunday 5th October

Written by Ruth

It's amazing to support a venture that encourages children to get fit and active. This Sunday, 122 of them took on the 2km circuit and won. Bath Junior Parkrun seems to get more popular every week. What's even more amazing is that one of the young runners was called... Dash! Congratulations on your personal best, Dash!

In a first for me, Meyrick and I took on the task of tail walkers, encouraging the participants from the rear and making sure no one was left behind. Actually it was tough to keep up! I was particularly proud of my dragon tail, while Meyrick sported a feisty fox number.

Tanya rocked the role of marshal with a brand new giant hand for hi-fiving the hardy sprinters. She says it stood up to the job and you've got to hand it to her.

GoodGym is all about getting fit while doing good. I feel this week fulfilled the brief - and everyone seemed to have a fun time too.

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BathCommunity mission
Ruth

Eat your heart out Jane Austen - watching the walkers walking by for a worthy cause

Sunday 21st September

Written by Ruth

Bath has been marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen and a week ago thousands of people in regency costume promenaded through the city in celebration

It was a wonderful sight but a far cry from Bath’s issues with homelessness or residents facing domestic violence. That was addressed this Sunday when more than 450 hardy people - and some dogs like Swifty - took part in a 20 mile walk around the city in aid of Julian House.

The charity supports vulnerable and at-risk people. These include adults and young people experiencing homelessness, escaping domestic abuse, adults with learning difficulties and people needing support after leaving prison. The Circuit of Bath Walk is Julian House’s main fundraising event of the year and participants raise huge amounts of money through sponsorship, donations and buying the occasional official T-shirt.

That 20 mile walk is certainly no stroll in the park. It takes in Bath’s famous seven hills as well as some nasty steep and slippery bits. One walker turned his ankle on the way round but still managed to complete the route. They were certainly a hardy lot.

The event was organised with military precision by the charity and that is where GoodGym came in - helping to man the one of the checkpoints along the way. This included cheering the walkers home, stamping their progress on their maps and awarding them special medals for completing the challenge. It was certainly a privilege to witness and encourage their achievement.

Jane Austen never dwelled on the poverty of her time and even today Bath is seen as an affluent place. We have to rely on the efforts of charities like Julian House to tackle that grim underbelly and hope the contribution of our time helps a little.

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