On our first warm summer's evening in what feels like forever, a stonking 25 GGers turned out for this week's Group Run to Hull Road Park. Before heading off we awarded the GoodGymer of the month gong for June to the amazing Abigail who not only regularly volunteers her services for back-marking duties but also recently completed her Taskforce training. Give her a big cheer (even if she wasn't on brand) 👏

Vicky then set off with the steady pace crew whilst the rest of the gang celebrated Mark Cavendish's achievements at the Tour de France, numbering off by naming the field in which they could set a record in. Turns out a GG York like food, a lot! Then it was off to the task 💪

At Hull Road Park we were greeted by Kristina from the City of York Council Environment Team who split the group into 3 teams:

Team 1 would be removing Verbena seedlings from the flower beds so they could be replanted elsewhere

Team 2 were getting edgy on the paths, removing overgrown grass and weeds

Team 3 were on bush trimming duties, removing unwanted plants from the hedgerows around the basketball courts

My face is in bush and I'm covered in hairy balls - Michael

Team 3 soon realised the perils of getting stuck into bush task as they came out covered in sticky, hairy ball type things. I'm sure they have a name but we were being too childish to look it up

Team 1 did such a good job removing the verbena seedlings that they soon ran out of plant pots. That didn't deter Sarah though who resorted to keeping the seedlings in the pocket of her leggings (possibly to take home to plant herself 🤫)

Meanwhile team 2 did a superb job on the path edging. Despite starting in the wrong place, they did a great job and uncovered loads of pathway that was previously lost the overgrown grass.

With the task coming to an end, some of the crew made a start on the bark chipping that is set to feature in next week's task. After a quick team photo Vicky led the steady group back to base whilst Ed set up this week's fitness sesh.

is this like the human centipede - Lyndsey

With the cones dumped in the middle of a circle of GGers, there was only one thing for it - a game of human Hungry Hungry Hippos. With people split into pairs and adopting the wheelbarrow position, the aim was to collect as many cones as possible. Turns out then some serious core strength is required, especially when reversing! Martin and Michael were the victors and their prize was to gather in the rest of the cones. Well done guys!

Despite the earlier rain we were treated to some very pleasant sunshine for tonight's group run.

We welcomed newcomers Chris and Polly to the group and named off stating our favourite vegetable in honour of national vegetable day. Counting at the same time proved too complex so Vicky did a headcount instead!

Laura led out the group with Barbara and Vicky backmarking.

When we arrived we collected tools and got to work clearing a forest as part of the schools new forest area. We chopped, sawed, lopped and tugged away and we soon filled the green bins, made a pile yo be chipped and made a stack of den building logs.

To finish we did a tough tabata session - 20 seconds hard with 10 seconds rest. Everyone gave it some good effort and we were quickly through two rounds, got a group photo and on our way back.

Great turnout and effort tonight - good work everyone. Hope to see you soon. Next week its another school, another forest school at Tang Hall Primary.

We started tonight's group run by belatedly awarding our GoodGymer of the month accolade for February to the marvelous Nikki , who had continued her January exploits into Feb and been a shining example for other Task Forcers. Well done Nikki 👏

We also welcomed newcomer Sarah who was doing her first ever task tonight. Let's give her a big cheer 👋

A bit of daytime drama meant that our services were required elsewhere, so instead of going to Ashton Park, tonight's group run saw us head to Clarance Gardens for a spot of unsupervised wildflower seed spreading! Ed did his best to explain what was required of us, and with a few suggestions from the rest of the team, we soon decided on a system that saw everyone lining up a meter apart, with a few seed topper-uppers running between them all 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️

Babs seem to focus on quantity rather than quality and raced ahead of the rest of the line of seed spreaders, whereas Graham took a bit more time and care with his seeds and stamping. Let's see when they bloom who had the best technique!

With most people having whizzed through their seed portions in lightning quick time, we needed to fill the rest of the session with something or risk an early pub exodus. So Leanne led a congo/indian file stamping line to make sure that no spot was left un-stomped.

Before too long it was time for the fitness session and an opportunity to get to know each other a little better. The GGers ran in a circle (again led by Leanne) and made thier way into the middle for an exercise every time Ed called out something that they had done before. Unsurprisingly almost all GGers have baked a cake or planted a tree in their lifetime. Unfortunately we didn't uncover too many secret tattoos though!

Huge well done to everyone for a fab session. Next week it's off to St Chad's scout hut for a classic painting task!