Last week had been a quiet one for Goodgym Poole and it all seemed a little dark for even the most regular and cheerful runners in this difficult time.

But when you need good cheer, you can rely on the members of Poole Goodgym to find something to bring a smile to our faces!

This week Sian suggested we pass on good cheer with notes to each other in a safe way. Rather unexpectantly Elizabeth literally appeared to pull out of the bag a mascot for Goodgym - A very fine looking monkey with its own Goodgym Poole sign!

The task was set - This monkey needed to make its way around the local and willing Goodgym runners, to bring good cheer and a smile to our faces - All at a social distance and with a bit of disinfectant (sorry Monkey!)

Elizabeth started the task with a trip from Broadstone to our favourite couple Richard and Hilary for a quick stop over. He was then transported with the speed of um...a local runner...to the dizzy heights of Oakdale and the lovely NHS worker Sian. But he didn't rest at all - Instead he was back packed again before heading to Hamworthy for a meeting with Patricia!

The monkey appear to prefer Oakdale so was trotted back over the lifting bridges to Nicola in Oakdale where he could rest for the night.

THe monkey then had a little tourist stop on the Quay with Ali and her daughter, no idea what happened but he left the building with a facemask. Perhaps he needed more shielding than we realised!

Anther clean up and spray before he was off again to Jane, enjoying the sights of local areas. This time he got to view Poole from a bike as after his nights sleep, took to 2 wheels instead of on route to make it back to Broadstone - Good work on those hills Jane!

His stay with the fabulous Shelley was brief as he made his way back down the hill to me!

What a delight to find not just monkey but a card that was written by each person on route around Poole that shows what lovely people we have and what an integrated team of people Goodgym Poole has become. I also got flowers in the bag and I know many other runners left little gifts for each other to enjoy!

It was still early evening so I got to take the opportunity to let Monkey have a little fun in the Broadstone Golf Course - open for walkers / runners only whilst Covid is on. He loved the trees and the stunning views before reaching Corfe Mullen and Sam. I learnt more about Sam in 10 minutes on the doorstep than at the last task we had done (too busy planting bluebells I think!) which was amazing!

THe monkey took a rest in Corfe Mullen before returning back to Broadstone and one of our regular runners Robert where he is resting!

What a great week for some giggles and friendly faces!

Wow - This was a biggie and it was completed with a lot of help and hard work on the night!

This was a different type of task for Goodgym Poole.

So here is the story - A local gentleman, Mr Couzens asked the council if he could plant a bluebell wood opposite his flat in memory of his wife who had passed away a few years ago. They had done this and a few clumps of bluebells had come up but not the spread he had hoped for. He asked the council if he could have some more planted but they were not able to do this. Mr Couzens was happy to pay for the bulbs but is housebound so unable to plant or assist with planting and so the council approach us at Godogym to see if we can do the planting.

The initial contact came through a runner who also joined us tonight for her first Goodgym run - Judith - who was last seen running into the darkness on the return leg with Richard who I hear was on dinner duty! Even Shelley could not beat these two back to Daveena's even though she did half the distance in her Fiat 500!

For those who have come to Goodgym before, we usually have a task owner who meets us at the task and directs us, so this was a little different and took a lot more planning with equipment and bulbs!

So first of all big shout out to the support crew helping to make this happen tonight! Lisa, who usually goes to Goodgym Bournemouth, came to the task for 6.30 so she could set up the task for us. Patricia, who thought she maybe injured, agreed to take all the bulbs, tools and lights to the task ready for 6.30pm so it could be ready for us all. Thank you for her husband for helping too! Louise, (a qualified leader) who had never yet got to a Goodgym, met a group of runners at a mid way point so they could take a shorter route. Elizabeth, collected a bag of tools from all her gardening friends, labelled them and leaving for me to collect for Pat to take to task. Even my mum's garage was emptied of garden tools (thanks mum!) Both Lisa and Louise met at the task on Saturday so we could take a daylight look at the wood as it was feeling a little overwhelming knowing where to start with this.

To add to the planning, our planned local supplier was not able to give us the bulbs needed and on Saturday it was a last minute order from Amazon Prime to get it delivered in time. The bulbs arrived at 2pm on the day of the task so it was a pretty nerve wracking morning.

Due to the number of bulbs that needed planting it was important to get as many people as possible to attend so there was three groups. An opportunity to come direct to the task for any non runners, A shorter run meeting half way and the usual group going from Daveena's as usual.

It was great to turn up after 5km run to the task, to see already 10 or so runners with lights in the wood working in pairs, planting away! Considering it is halloween this week, there was a slightly creepy air at times to see these moving lights amongst the darkness, not knowing who it was until you were closer. There was a shout from Elizabeth at one point to say, she had still not found the body, lets hope no one was passing at that point! ;) Sam, who had brought along her husband (purely to stand with a light!) was seen holding up a wriggling worm at one point giving a slightly creepy look with the light behind it!

We did have one spectator and that was from the balcony opposite which was Mr Couzens appartment!

It was very much get on and plant tonight and pairs worked closely together, a bag of bulbs between them, a tool or two and a head torch! As we got towards 30 minutes, first timers Mel and Nicki, were a little concerned they were the only ones with a big bag left! But quickly distributed amongst other runners, it was getting apparent that we would be able to finish! Last bag or so left and a handful each and 5 minutes later they were all planted! So there we have it - an empty box, bits of paperbags, a few broken tools from an over zealous runner (Lisa!!!) and 3000 bulbs had been planted!

On the side note - It was a slightly odd look to see Nicki and Judith running down the road, holding their own trowels in their hands!

Welcome to our other new runners Melody and Sally for finally making it down to join us! Kirsty, another local run leader also joined us at the task (thank goodness as meant she could take all the equipment back!). Finally one of the Poole parkrun core team members Mel came down! Bring a total of 8 new runners tonight.

Well done everyone for all efforts, it really was a complete team effort to make it happen.

We cannot wait till next spring to go back and see how the bluebells are growing!

PS: Once again my photo skills were lacking but it's dark, bulbs aren't pretty and we wanted to plant a lot of them! 😁