On a cold Monday evening, four GoodGymer set off through Byker, aiming to build on last week's task and make the streets a lot tidier. Byker somehow is always littered no matter how many times we pick lots of litter up.

Lots of bags were filled, as usual mostly with drinks containers of various kinds. It never ceases to amaze us how many full-size empty wine bottles find themselves dumped on the street and in the undergrowth!

On a mild Monday evening, two GoodGymers set out from Stepney Bank Stables towards Byker and Heaton on a litter pick. Byker is somehow always covered with litter no matter how many times we pick it up.

This time the focus of our efforts was the car park at bottom of Shields Road, which is near a supermarket and a number of food outlets. People had filled the bushes and trees with plastic cups, cans, paper receipts, cigarette ends, food packaging and all kinds of weird and wonderful things. We also retrieved what looked like an antiquated mobile phone, a large porcelain bowl, a large jerry can and several empty bottles of wine.

Some people in Byker clearly need some lessons in how to dispose of their rubbish, but we were approached by several others offering praise, which always makes your efforts feel a little more worthwhile!

Thankfully the weather warmed up after a very cold weekend. Races and parkruns suffered mass cancellations on Saturday and Sunday, but all of the ice had magically disappeared by the time we set off on our latest litter pick from Stepney Bank Stables.

Sadly no matter how times we clear litter from Byker, it is scattered everywhere again within a few weeks. Three GoodGymers managed to fill three bags each tonight, which made the place look much tidier, at least for a short time!

On a mild Monday evening, three GoodGymers removed a large amount of litter from the streets of Byker. Everyone else seemed to be out for a run as numerous running groups whizzed past.

Tonight's task wasn't without its challenges. Two of our faithful litter pickers reached the end of their lives, breaking after many dozens of litter picks carried out. Squeezing the litter into the council's black bins was a bit more difficult than usual. We got covered in some sticky liquids trying to deposit the litter, but all of the litter ended up in the bins.

It was a busy evening for GoodGym Newcastle at Newcastle University Students’ Union.

After running from Stepney Bank Stables and being quite relieved not to get wet, Jen met us outside and took us upstairs to get started. The group split into two, with some of us packing boxes for Stu Brew, which is Europe’s first student-run microbrewery based at Newcastle University. They are a sustainable microbrewery, managed by students through Newcastle University Students’ Union.

Lucy and Muhannad had got started with the crafting task straight away, the rest of us joining after the box packing. Jen patiently explained what we were supposed to be doing, with some of us being very much out of our comfort zones.

Everyone from GoodGym said they enjoyed the evening. I'm sure that the cakes, doughnuts and hot drinks helped, but it was a genuinely delightful evening. Thank you to everyone who came along tonight for an extended session, excellent commitment from everyone!