On a drizzly Saturday morn, 8 Goodgymers helped out Friends of Princes Park https://www.friendsofprincesparkl8.org.uk/ for 67 minutes with litter picking and protecting the trees. We more than doubled the number of volunteers for this day recognising 67 years of Nelson Mandela’s struggle for civil rights.

It was great to have Laura join us and help on clearing the tree bases. The youngest Goodgym recruit Isobel made a special appearance along with Becky and curiously surveyed the work. From clearing considerable amounts of strewn rubbish to clearing the grass and laying mulch down around trees, a solid shift was put in with only a brief pause of wonderment at the steam rising from the mulch! A warm welcome back to Chris Armitage!

Becky, Yan and Becky filled more than 5 bags with litter and after handing back our hi viz vests, we parted ways having made a good difference. Well done everyone

Another Saturday, and another chance to help the Friends of Princes Park (FOPP!) with some winter tasks. We started out by lopping some previously marked saplings to thin out the plantation and ensure that the remaining trees had room to grow strongly. With some pretty fearsome-looking bandsaws as well as loppers, we set to work with the regular members of FOPP and had soon amassed an impressive pile of felled saplings. This rather puzzled a little girl who was walking in the park with her mum, and who asked us why we were allowed to cut down trees in the park when it was such a bad thing to happen in the Amazon rainforest. Robert from FOPP gave her a quick talk about the basics of responsible woodland management and she was very happy with the explanation. A future GoodGym recruit in ten years or so, perhaps!

We also had time to clear some self-seeded Turkey Oak saplings which were similarly overcrowded, and to do a quick litter pick of the area that we'd cleared. A big well done to all, especially those who already volunteered at parkrun and/or who are going on the Group Run later on today. What a #SuperSaturday!

Eight GoodGym Liverpool members helped out our old pals the Friends of Princes Park with their regular monthly litter pick. Clearing pathways, bushes and the lakeside, we soon filled several bags with assorted rubbish, recyclables and some more unusual finds (an old Armani hoodie and Nike trainers!) We had no training but just picked it up as we went along (groan!)

If you like the sound of this we have another litter pick in Sefton Park (Princes' big sister) on Sundays every week at 11 a.m. this month!

On a watery day in Princes Park, 5 Goodgym runners came together to help Friends of Princes Park (F. O. P. P if you want to be trendy) with tree planting.

After some cold rain initially, Liz and Robert of F. O. P. P set us to work setting up the mesh, timber posts, loppers etc.

We found our rhythm and began working in teams, digging the hole, blending the mulch, planting the tree, driving two posts and fitting the mesh. This protection will give the trees a better chance of growing strong. Another win for cleaner air!!

In total we planted 5 trees and set up their protection. 5 for 5 Goodgym runners! The trees were Price of India and Witch Hazel.

Thanks to our photographer Yan and kudos to each of you for helping F. O. P. P and the environment. Cosy warmth is well earned!!

Three Good Gymers, Beckie, Pauline and Matthew turned up to help the Friend's of Prince's Park do some weeding to stop fledgling trees from being over-run as well as doing some litter picking. Both of these tasks are out bread and butter and we managed to do lots of both in the two hours we were there. It is such a shame that we seem to litter everywhere we go and the worst offenders seem to be wet-wipes. We collected lots of litter and at least for today the park looked lovely bathed in sunshine (with no litter in sight). And as a treat the lovely FoPP ladies treated us to some soft drinks, crisps and strawberries. We are sure to return and help them in the future.

On a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning, four fabulous GoodGym runners ran 5k to help The Friends of Princes Park.

Having put up with weeks of disruption for important repair and improvement works around the lake, runners were pleased to see that the fences had been removed and the course was back on track.

Mat, Jo, John and Pauline completed the newly reinstated parkrun route and headed straight to the big green storage container, which is shared by the FoPP and ParkRun team, to join Katy and Ingrid.

Armed with paint brushes and shamrock-green paint, the team set about covering up areas of repair and rust...many hands made light work of the job, and before long the task was completed.

Join us on Sunday 30th for the next instalment...more painting, some gardening, and lots of fun!