It was a very mild October evening down in the Ouseburn Valley this evening, with the weather offering no clue of the effects of the edge of Storm Ashley that we caught yesterday. Whilst we know we were let off very lightly compared to some parts of the country, nevertheless, Ashley meant that we weren’t short of work on our mission tonight!

Armed mostly with brooms and rakes, and the odd set of shears, we started with a leg workout as we made our way up the steps from the bottom to the top of the valley! We followed that with a lateral core workout - it’s always surprising how much torso rotation is involved in sweeping and raking - and we did an awful lot of sweeping and raking tonight to clear away the leaves and twigs deposited by the storm. Together with some expert clipping by Pippa, double brooming by Adam, the reverse rake technique demonstrated by Scott, and some rather acrobatic broom balancing by Tom, the rest of us, Aimee, Max, Jack, David and I managed to clear A LOT of paths! It was surprising how many people walk through the valley despite the dark, so hopefully our efforts will be appreciated.

Somewhat fortuitously, the last path we cleared led directly to the pub - can’t imagine how that happened! Top task owner Dave wowed us with his hi-viz multi-functional kilt and educated us with stories about the houses that were cleared from the valley in order to build the Metro Bridge, and the fact that the bridge is constructed with huge concrete blocks glued together! Think about that next time you’re on the Metro at Byker - or actually, maybe don’t! Dave also insisted on buying the drinks tonight - a truly top guy! Thanks Dave!

As usual, a win for us tonight with the final score Ashley 0 - GoodGym 1!

So proud of our transformation work tonight was I, that I hadn't even made it home before I needed to share the before and after pics from the task with the GG WhatsApp group. A simple task for us with a big difference.

Despite a wet, wet, wet start to the week, four of us showed up with a mix of Monday musings: Scott had spent the day marking, Damu had some new fancy running bottoms to show off, I had a long discussion about Kylie wine to share and poor Aimee had a sprained ankle. It felt like the first grim weather for GoodGym in a good number of weeks so we were thin on the ground but ready to get cracking. Helping the brilliant Ouseburn Trust, we were promised a proper workout as we helped to keep paths clear and safe for the many walkers, runners and cyclists passing through.

Armed with three different types of scraping tools we headed off with task owner Dave to clear the cobbles at the bottom of the bank under The Ship Inn. This was instantly satisfying, scraping up loads of weeds and mud from the cobbles, thankfully loosened off by the rain. The time seemed to fly over tonight as we transformed the area in just 45 minutes. Make sure you scroll along to the before and after photos!

We will be back at Stepney Bank Stables next Monday where Damu is leading a community mission to help at the stables with a number of jobs (and probably patting horses) so come along for that if you can.

I read something last week that said you should never start a story with a description of the weather and I thought maybe it’s my British-ness but I always usually start my reports with that. So I definitely won’t tell you how sunny, or warm, or muggy it was for tonight’s group session. A rare laid-back Monday gave me the chance to cycle to the session tonight which gave me a good sense of smugness on arrival. Joining me tonight was Louise on her 299th good deed, Lucy, Scott and Damu who had run to the session tonight.

Tonight we were helping Ouseburn Trust which is a mere hop and skip from Stepney Bank Stables, and an organisation we always love to help. Task owner Dave greeted us with his usual warm (did I mention it was warm?) welcome and reminded us of tonight’s task: cutting back overgrown hedges. This is a task that really makes a difference as it helps to keep Ouseburn safe along the well-trodden paths.

After collecting tools and gloves we headed down to the hedges and discussed whether dock leaves really do heal nettle stings (turns out lettuce does the trick too!). It was also then we found out Damu actually likes the feeling of nettle stings (??) so it was truly a night of learning interesting facts.

The task itself flew by as we chopped and looped the hedges, Scott in particular really giving it some welly with the high bits tonight. We all got really stuck in and the before and after photos show how much we put in. My arms are already shaking writing this!

For the fitness session tonight it was an old favourite, five minute fitness: five short exercises to get the heart pumping and the arms aching (even more!) I always think passers by must wonder what on earth we are up to when we are doing this workout. This was in place of Damu’s suggestion to simply climb the stairs to the Cumberland Arms for drinks for today’s workout, but maybe he did that after I left anyway.

Another blazing hot (not the weather, exactly) start to the week. Well done! Join us this Saturday if you can for an Urban Green Newcastle gardening session in Leazes Park.

Tonight’s task was initially billed as part two of a two part task, then it became part one of a potential two part task, and it turned out being part one of one. Phew.

The group session tonight was to help our friends at Ouseburn Trust the spread the word about the upcoming Ouseburn Festival which takes place on the 13th and 14th of July. I was delighted that the task organiser brought her dog Bruce along to drop the leaflets off- surely a good omen for a good night ahead. Louise was thankfully fine and back in action after a nasty fall at the weekend and Damu’s legs were also still working after the Round Sheffield Run on Saturday. You can’t keep a GoodGymer down! I was delighted to see a newbie along for the session tonight, big welcome to Scott on his first ever good deed. I just know he’s going to do some good stuff with us so go and give him a cheer.

While we were initially under the impression there were around 100 leaflets to distribute, a quick count revealed there were actually 320 meaning a team decision to ditch a fitness session tonight in favour of getting them all delivered in one go. Challenge accepted!

Martin was in charge of the route tonight and while I wasn’t sure I would ever forgive him for what felt like 3000 steps to get there we appeared in Heaton ready to start in no time. Why are steps so humbling?? Incidentally Martin also inadvertently provided me with the pun for this report after starting a discussion about biceps during the group photo shoot.

There was a back up plan in place in case we didn’t get the whole leaflet drop done in time but we didn’t need it as we flew through the flyer stack in no time and started heading back. Hopefully this brings along loads of locals to enjoy all the great stuff on offer at the festival.

We’ve got a busy week ahead including a midweek race opportunity at The Monthly Mile in South Shields, a big Sunday bike ride and not one but two gardening sessions with Urban Green Newcastle. All are welcome and we’d love to see you.

With summer finally upon us we met up for a litter pick tonight due to a cancelled task (now taking place next week!). Unfortunately warmer temperatures bring out a lot of litter bugs and there was plenty for us to do. We were so committed to the cause tonight, Michael almost picked a Jaguar badge from a car bonnet thinking it was rubbish!

We covered Stepney Bank before heading into the Ouseburn which is such an intricate mix of paths we immediately went off the beaten track and I regretted my choice of footwear. Quickly correcting the route we found a long footpath which had many rubbish delights for us including a very old and very heavy bottle of milk - yuck! As is always the case on a group session we had much to chat about and catch up on, everything from tattoos (curved lines hurt more) to the many varied routes of the Blaydon Race. The time flew by and we had to call it a day when two bags were filled. Frustratingly we’d run out of bag space (my fault for not bringing more) when we happened upon a stack of bottles and takeaway cartons. Boo!

I’ve added a stack of new sessions today ranging from painting furniture to gardening and much more. Get involved if you can, there’s loads to do.

Another Monday in the Toon, and another day of downpours. However, Zeus was very kind and graced us with a lovely evening in the sun.

A big welcome to Michelle on her first GoodGym session.

With all the recent soggy weather, the steps up towards The Cumberland Arms, were in need of summer trim. And armed with a couple of different garden tools, we made our way up, cutting back the foliage, making everything more accessible, and getting some nice compliments from the public as we worked.

Once we reached the top, we made our way to the main road, to cut back a couple of bigger encroaching trees. It was definitely a lovely way to spend an hour or so, and the heavens opened once more not long after we had all said our goodbyes - I hope everyone didn't get too wet!

And as Led Zeppelin once sang: *If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now It's just a spring clean for the Goodgym crew*