On Wednesday, 16th October, GoodGym Barnet joined forces with Earthwatch and Barnet Council for an inspiring community mission to create a wildflower meadow just south of the North Circular, adjacent to the Tiny Forest Barnet. Volunteers, including local residents, council representatives, and Tiny Forest Tree Keepers, came together for a hands-on experience in boosting biodiversity while also contributing to important nature and wellbeing research.

The day began with the ground already prepared—upturned and scarified—to ensure optimal conditions for the wildflower seeds to thrive. The meadow, designed as an experimental site, was split into sections, with perennial flowers planted in one part, while the upper field remained without them. Volunteers mixed seeds with sand, spreading them carefully over a 600m² area before gently compacting the soil with their feet.

Paul and George, representing GoodGym Barnet, worked alongside other volunteers Including Peter, Caroline, Shiri and others looking to improve their community. They meticulously seeded their assigned section, feeling the weight of responsibility in getting the distribution just right. The atmosphere was vibrant with anticipation as the team contributed to what promises to be a lasting legacy for generations to come.

But the event wasn’t just about planting. Volunteers had the opportunity to participate in a fascinating study led by researchers from the University of Oxford. The study explored the effects of being in green spaces on human wellbeing, measuring heart rates and collecting saliva samples both before and after spending 20 minutes in nature. Paul found himself assigned to the serene Tiny Forest, where he stood immersed in the tranquil environment, feeling noticeably calmer—a welcome contrast after a morning at the dentist!

After the planting and the research, Paul and George shared a well-deserved lunch at Stephens House and Gardens, reflecting on the day’s activities and the contribution they had made. The meadow will bloom into a vibrant space that not only supports local wildlife but also continues to provide insights into the link between nature and wellbeing.

For those interested in visiting or getting involved in future events, the meadow site is located at Mutton Brook, Barnet, London NW11 6DA (Coordinates: //////went.give.torn). It’s a great opportunity to see the area develop and support ongoing projects like the upcoming Tiny Forest planting.

A couple of GoodGym members visited the Tiny Forest to do some citizen science. This included updating some information on biodiversity from the slabs. Because the trees are getting so big and the tags are falling off. One of the tree keepers Patrick has decided to create a map and label the trees within zones.

I went along to meet Dr. Narroway who had invited us to attend with her in doing citizen science at Tiny Forest Barnet. The Forest has grown considerably and has become harder to measure. She has introduced new equipment to measure height and they are also thinking of using a quadrat system to further improve measurements.

4 GoodGymers Rachel, Yesika, Kubilay and Moya braved the drizzling rain to run 3km to our local Tiny Forest, providing a haven of carbon capture growth and wildlife habitat next to the north circular road. This was the first run after the clocks had gone forwards, giving some welcome evening light on the way there, and to explore the forest. It was lovely to see the young green leaves starting to cover the trees. We decided to tackle some of the weeds starting to take over the lower areas (which I remember from experience get very big after a summer's growth!) - pulling out thistles, dandelions and some dock, especially around the base of the young trees, and to give other plants a chance to establish themselves. Kubilay definitely won the award for the most impressive roots extraction - all without implements!

We then all made our way back to the Phoenix cinema, running through puddles and getting a lot wetter in the process, clocking up a respectable 6km in total. We're looking forward to checking up on the Tiny Forest to see how it develops over the next few months.

We recently embarked on a mission brimming with purpose and camaraderie, marking the second anniversary of Tiny Forest Barnet in style! Our day was filled with meaningful actions and a deep sense of fulfillment as we came together to make a positive impact on our green space around the Tiny Forest.

Our mission began with a litter pick in the area, joined by other passionate groups eager to make a difference. Together, we combed through Mutton Brook green space armed with all litter pickers. Despite the challenges posed by litter, our collective efforts yielded remarkable results. From handbags to suitcases, gas canisters to tins of money (yes, you read that right!), our diligent participants unearthed a treasure trove of discarded items, reaffirming the importance of our mission.

But our day wasn't just about cleaning up; it was also about contributing to something larger than ourselves. Through citizen science, we measured carbon capture and shared our data with Earthwatch and Tiny Forest. This invaluable contribution not only enhances our understanding of carbon sequestration but also empowers us to play an active role in environmental conservation. Plus, it's a fantastic way to introduce scientific concepts to families and inspire future generations of eco-warriors!

Thanks to the community members from Ealing, Brent, and our own GoodGym family we were united by a shared commitment to our environment. And what better way to cap off our day than with cake? Thanks to Daniel Mermelstein, we indulged in a sweet celebration, commemorating two years of Tiny Forest's growth and impact.

In total, we collected at least 10 bags of rubbish and assorted items, which we dutifully left by a nearby Barnet bin for collection. To all who participated, your dedication and passion are truly commendable. Let's continue to inspire others in our community to join us, showing that together, we can make a difference while having a blast!

Thank you for your unwavering support and enthusiasm. Until our next adventure, let's keep spreading positivity, making memories, and transforming our community, one mission at a time.

With gratitude and high spirits,

A fantastic, five GoodGym runners came together to plant, spring bulbs and wild flowers at the Tiny Forest in Barnet. As per usual, we gathered at the Phoenix Cinema chatting. The Finchley pollinator project had lent us some dippers, which looked very much like stakes.( see photo ) Inevitably the jokes started about killing vampires instead of planting flowers! ( well, we are close to Halloween!) It was a beautiful warm evening and it’s a lovely run through lots of green spaces to the Tiny Forest. We used head torches to navigate through the darker sections and in planting bulbs themselves. The ground was very dry and it was hard work but we got most of the bulbs and flowers planted in good time with no interruptions from vampires! Although we did see some spooky, glistening, red eyes in the distant bushes on the way back! The whole thing was absolutely surreal and great fun as a result! We finished off the running with some sprints just before we got back to the cinema.

Thanks for coming running and doing some good!

My favourite boiled sweet was a pear drop! What’s yours?