After the long bank holiday weekend a very impressive 25 GG Yorkies turned up to help out at Hempland Haven, a community events space in Heworth Allotments. There were no celebrations this week although many of the group had been away camping for the now annual GG Yorkie's August Weekend Away (if you've not been before, you should definitely come to the next one) and a few others had spent the day doing some serious training for their upcoming attempt at the Marathan du Medoc, which features a fair bit of wine across the 26.2 route in the vineyards of Bordeaux. Tonight we also welcomed newcomer Jenny who was doing her first ever GoodGym task. Giver her a big cheer 📣

The task was just over 3km away each way, so Vicky led a cycling group out whilst Tristan led the running group with Ed bringing up the rear. The cycling group arrived first and were joined by Nicola and James who were meeting us at the task. Taskowner Gayle got them set up with tools to get the weeds out of the cracks between the patio stones, whilst the running group were still struggling to find the right allotment space, before realising they'd stopped their run a touch too early and needed to head a little bit further into the allotments to join the others!

The team made great progress clearing as many weeds out from the cracks as possible before spreading sand onto the ground and sweeping it into the gaps. Gayle and her small assistant were on hand to provide a few bottles of water to the more thirsty GGers (mostly those that had been wine training earlier in the day), and before too long the sand was being filled into every crack the team could find. There was a mad dash to sweep it all away in order to finish with enough time for the group photo and a fab nautical themed fitness session from Tristan, which showed that a lot of us could do with swotting up on our ports and starboards, as well as our left and right!

It was then back to the Priory Street centre for a bit of a fruit and veg giveaway thanks to various gluts and some delicious cake from Jenna!

Another bumper turnout tonight to help rake grass at Millennium fields.

We started by naming and numbering off, welcoming new members back again, and saying a big warm welcome to Lionel who has returned after a break.

Mitch led the group out with Abigail, James and Abi leading a walking group.

When we arrived we were given several jobs - rake up the grass, pile it into bags or onto tarps, drag to the compost and make some sort of compost/grass lasagne. A select few also had a go at sything!

We managed to clear all the grass in the time and finished off with a quick game of whistleblower.

It was then back to base when a group then headed off for some well earned liquid refreshment!

Tonight we welcomed new comers Liv and Mia to goodgym! Hope you had fun!

We then celebrated our goodgymer of the month for July which was awarded to the fabulous Nick. Nick is always one if the first to volunteer to go that extra mile. He took on the run leader duties when Ed and I were away and has been a great ambassador for goodgym from tje very beginning. He's basically a true goodgym hero!

We then congratulated the 10k runners and triathletes and in honour of international cat day this week named our first pets.

We were then off to Scarcroft allotments to help clear a plot. The main task was yo cut down and remove willow. Within minutes Nick was wedged in a tree wielding a saw and others were lopping, sawing and stripping willow. A team made several journeys taking the cuttings to the chippings pile (not chickens Jenna!).

Before we knew it time was up and the only injury was leanne's 'saw' hand. Everyone grabbed a pile of willow and we headed down the hill to drop off before fun fitness.

Following the cat theme we played a game of cat and mouse, which brought out the competitive side folk!

Back to base for a quick stretch and round up. See you next week!