This week we were hoping to squeeze in one last task before the light begins to fade. We (just about) managed it too , despite finding several reminders of the impending change of season. Who knew it was already conker season?

4 runners met on Hope Street and made our way to Linnet lane to meet 4 more goodgymmers armed with litter pickers and hoops.

We were tasked with litter picking along Ullet Road and managed to get 6 bags full to the brim! We had a lovely evening chatting and picking and made a huge difference to the cleanliness of the community.

With our mission accomplished, we heading home into the quickly darkening night. Excellent work everyone!

It was a real team-effort on Saturday 14th Sept when Goodgym Liverpool and others joined forces to support The Choir With No Name.

Those familiar with Goodgym Liverpool may know our fantastic Area Activator Ema is also the Choir Manager for the Liverpool branch of The Choir With No Name. For the past several months she'd arranged a fundraising abseil, and an amazing 30 people had signed up to descend 150ft - free hang! - over the beautiful Anglican Cathedral West Door. Those 30 included 3 Liverpool Goodgymmers - Ellie, Heetu & Lucian, who very bravely took the plunge to raise money for the CWNN, a choir which helps those impacted by homelessness and marginalisation.

5 other goodgymmers - Liam, Sian, Pauline, Sally Ann & Bekah - also came along to volunteer on the day, helping with everything from registration, giving out goody bags, taking photos and corralling the abseilers to keep things running to schedule.

It was a fantastic event, with the choir performing live as the abseilers - or danglers, as the MC called them - descended, and the 30 brave danglers raised a phenomenal over £13,000 between them!

It was a real team effort with another Wirral based choir and a local ukulele band stopping by so the CWNN could take a quick break from entertaining the masses, and all abseilers were greeted with a little cake when their feet touched down, presented to them by a choir member.

Massive well done to Ellie, Heetu & Lucian, and shout out to Ema for organising the Goodgym volunteers whilst managing the choir AND the abseilers AND keeping the event running smoothly! The whole event had a fantastic atmosphere and raised a huge amount for an amazing cause. A round of applause to everyone involved.

It was a pretty grey start to the day, but a lovely 40 minute cycle... albeit against the wind. I arrived at the home of Mrs I to find Miriam already hard at work.

Mrs I's nurse had just arrived, so her good neighbour and friend, Ann, welcomed us and explained what the task entailed... and it was to be a challenge!

Several tools and a cup of tea were supplied and I joined Miriam in cutting back and pulling out years of weeds.

Nettles, brambles, buttercups, grass and dandelions had taken over the garden and pathways.

With the sun breaking through the clouds ⛅️ we made good headway, but after two hours hard graft, there was still over half of the garden untouched.

We tidied up and explained to Mrs I that we would be back, just as soon as the task is relisted.

It is difficult to leave a job unfinished, but this one is clearly going to require a few sessions, and perhaps a small army of GoodGymers... watch this space!

Things that make Monday nights one of the best nights of the week..... in no particular order: 1. The opportunity to be outside -tonight felt like we are on the verge of autumn a warmish start leading into a cooler finish with the light starting to fade

1. The opportunity to feel part of the city - tonight we headed to Everton Community Garden an inspiring oasis of fruit veg and flowers all tended by the local community led skilfully by John who is always so welcoming to us.
   

2. The opportunity to give a little back to the amazing initiatives across the city - tonight we were tasked with removing the rotting wooden frames of two raised beds whilst trying to not disturb the actual raised beds.

3. The opportunity to learn new skills. John is always supportive and willing to share his knowledge and expertise and tonight was no exception. we needed to use various techniques and tools as whilst some of the wooden sleepers were rotten through other ones were still strong and gives with bolts and screws which all had to be negotiated.

4. The opportunity for a physics lesson may arise at any point - at one particularly difficult to remove section of wood Pauline called out.. we need a fulcrum and then said 'Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it and I shall move the world' and then mentioned Archie someone...well i could not find an Archie signed up for this task . However with a lesson in fulcrums Pauline managed to remove the stubborn wood which had us all clapping and cheering. Physics lessons never felt this much fun before.

5. The opportunity to work together - its the start of the new school year a busy time for teachers and parents and its also the season for various lurgies. so tonight we were a small team of four but we achieved the task working together.

6. The opportunity to be welcomed into the community space and group tonight it was so lovely to be back with John and greeted by Barton who we all love (John's chocokate labrador that we all assured John we were happy to have around). We were able to see some of the fruits of our previous labours and talking of fruits John insisted that we all picked a bag of tomatoes to take home... they are absolutely delicious. we finished the evening by being invited to the open evening social at the end of the month.

7. The opportunity to spend the evening with a group of people that are just .... well fab.

Well the second attempt at Mrs L back garden was more successful as this time we had a fully charged cordless lawnmower and strimmer. Which made the task infinitely easier to get the long grass down first to use the lawnmower more effectively! So there was no overheating of the batteries at least, but as for me; Mrs L had to keep me from overheating with ice lols and iced drinks all afternoon. Thanks Mrs L!

This week, we were back at St James Garden with Friends of St James' Garden to finish what we started last week.

4 runners met on hope street where we were thrilled to welcome two newbies: Mel and Mel. Hope to have you join us again soon!

As St James garden is so close to our meeting point we treated ourselves to a few hill reps before heading on over. Very impressed with all the runners for persevering!

Once there we met 7 more goodgymmers and were tasked with weeding all the pavements around the Husskinson Memoral. I think you can tell from the before an after pictures what a huge impact we had!

Thankfully the weeds and grass came up surprisingly easily - the turf almost came up like a carpet and we were able to clear a huge area. Well done to everyone!