The new year often means new faces at GoodGym group sessions - it was no different at the first group run of 2026, as we welcomed Conor. He found out about our community from a friend who was once a regular GoodGymer and is now warmly remembered. What a fantastic thing to recommend to someone new to a city, or even a country!

Conor was enthusiastic about the running part, yet our group, after a warm-up, squeezed in only a very short and a bit fragmented jog. Steph Ducat, Sevan and Kash were extra careful as the temperatures dropped to around zero, and the pavements became icy and slippery. The quartet spent some time running between the Walpole Park gates, each of which was already closed. Oh no! Eventually, the running team, having met cyclist Andy and walker James along the way, headed to the emergency exit (or, shall I say, the emergency entrance?). It pays off to know your parks after all!

Despite the slipperiness and slippage, we collected a strong team - everyone who signed up for tonight showed up and was ready for some woodchip action! And we needed all hands on deck as we were going to tackle the path between Rickyard and the frog statue, which became totally bare since our woodchipping effort two years ago.

With wheelbarrows, shovels, forks, a rake and soundtrack (early 2000s hits played by a group of girls hanging out behind Rickyard), we accepted the challenge to refresh the path and make it enjoyable to walk on. Unlike our previous session to improve that path, we had to travel quite far to the woodchip source this time - and we were after the freshest of woodchips!

It was probably the first time this season we've had a noticeable snowfall in Ealing - but not enough to make snow angels. We've been considering indulging in the woodchip angels instead - especially as rolling in freshly dug woodchips could actually warm us up. Despite dropping temperatures, the air felt fairly mild, though.

Thanks to the whole team's determination, we've completed the path in just over an hour - and it was a quality one, with a thick layer of woodchip. Great work, everyone!

If you've missed the Walpole Park session, worry not! Next week we're back with more woodchip, more running and more park variety. We will be visiting Blondin Park for a practical workout for the local green space and a dose of hot chocolate at the end. Sign up now!

Each Monday morning, GoodGym lend a hand to the South Ealing Food Cupboard, helping the wonderful volunteers sort surplus food for the local community. This week, Andy, Martin, and Iram were on hand to help.

While waiting for the delivery van, discussions took a surprisingly educational turn, covering everything from the diversity of banana species to the original colour of carrots (who knew food could be so philosophical before 11am?).

When the van arrived, Iram and Andy got straight to work unloading its eclectic cargo: leftover pumpkins from Halloween, Jerk Chickpea crisps, liquorice allsorts, and the food cupboard staples - crates of bread, carrots and cabbages. Some of carrots were black so needed a good sort. Overall, it was a smaller haul than usual, with no fridge items this week, but this turned out to be a blessing as everything on hand needed to go!

Martin hulked out, moving heavy crates of veg and even lifting a pumpkin above his head - wow! Not to be beaten, Andy showed us all up by expertly balancing a pumpkin on his head... he truly is the MVP!

P.S. no pumpkins were harmed in the making of this food cupboard.

Each Monday morning, GoodGym lend a hand to the South Ealing Food Cupboard, helping the wonderful team of volunteers prepare surplus food for the local community. This week, Nicola, Andy, and Iram braved the rain to get stuck in, and it was a lively morning!

The volunteers were out in force today, peaking at ten people at one point, a record turnout for a rainy day! Andy returned victorious to find the shelf he fixed in a previous session still standing strong (and now proudly displaying popcorn!). It was Nicola’s first GoodGym mission, but you’d never have guessed it, she got straight to work flattening cardboard, unloading the van and offering to lend a hand wherever it was needed.

Despite the soggy weather, Andy and Nicky fearlessly tackled the unloading outside. Inside, the haul was a swede-heavy selection, with plenty of oranges, cabbages and bread. Sadly, not all the fruit was fit for fame, so the team sorted out the squashed and mouldy ones. The real surprise of the day, though, was a giant white sheet cake which looked suspiciously like a wedding cake! The Polygonian Friends Lunch team were quick to claim it for dessert on Wednesday.