Two GoodGymers helped out at Newcastle City Council's Allotment & Garden Festival. The task today was to man the information desk and direct people to where they needed to go, and to try to answer any questions. Most of the questions were about allotment plots. Fortunately the allotment officer was nearby, so we could direct people his way.

We also had the GoodGym flag up and some of our postcards and flyers on the desk. Several people stopped by for a lengthy chat about GoodGym. If any of you are reading this, please sign up and check out the list of upcoming sessions!

At the end of the day, we bumped into Sue from Greenhill Allotments, and helped the allotment association pack away all their things. The festival is quite a large scale event with lots to see and do. It'll be back next year and is well worth a visit.

On a pleasant Monday evening, three GoodGymers set off for Leazes Park on a litter pick. We carried out the exact same task about three months ago when Leazes Park was seeking to regain its Green Flag (successfully https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3072zelpg2o.amp). Last time there was hardly any litter in the park, which was probably just as well with an inspection due. This time it was very different, with litter strewn everywhere, particularly around seating areas. There really is no excuse for this as Leazes Park has numerous bins all over the park.

Aimee, Lucy and Richard made short work of much of the litter, filling six bin liners in just over an hour.

Come and join us next Monday as we help NUFC Fans' Foodbank.

Two GoodGymers helped Newcastle Council with weeding in Walker park. Me and Chris got stuck in and weeded around the out of the wild flower area be make the edges look neat and tidy. It was a very satisfying task!

After a quick tea and coffee break so then started pulling up bond weed from an adjacent flower bed which was smothering all the plants in the flower bed. We managed to pull up a lot of it and fill several bags.

Finally for the last ten minutes we help dismantle a form which was very cool but unfortunately was a massive fire risk of being set alight by teenagers!

Overall the season flew over with a variety of taskes!

Well, me and the Newcastle Parks rangers were sorely needed today at Hodgkin Park. We arrived to someone’s idea of fun - a burnt out wheelie bin and rubbish strewn everywhere.

We made quick work of that and I did a lap of the park collecting more rubbish.. including an abandoned Croc and a ball which had seen happier times.

After that, we got to work clearing the weeds and grass from around the bench with the best view in Benwell (forgot to take a photo… you’ll need to go and find out for yourself!)

On a pleasant Saturday morning, three GoodGymers helped Newcastle Parks and Allotments with some weeding in Elswick Park, just managing to get finished before a little rain shower.

The before and after photographs tell their own story. The park rangers were particularly happy that the stone circle at the top of the steps was cleared of weeds.

Cups of tea were drunk before the park rangers moved onto their next task at Nunsmoor Park.

Please come and join us on Monday as we help prepare Stepney Bank Stables for the Ouseburn Festival.

Leazes Park is trying to regain its Green Flag and four GoodGymers attempted to help by clearing some litter from the park. The litter was slightly harder to find than usual, so it looks like we weren't the first litter pickers in the park recently.

Good luck to Leazes Park in regaining the Green Flag!