We ventured slightly further afield than usual tonight, running the 1.8 miles from One Strawberry Lane to Bensham Grove Tiny Forest. Meeting several members of the community there, the main task tonight was to document, through photographs, the plants and animals present.

Unusually for a GoodGym Newcastle group run, we powered across the Redheugh Bridge towards Bensham. On getting there, after a brief lesson on bumblebees, moths and butterflies we set to work documenting the Tiny Forest, spread over only 208 square metres. Apparently some local had been complaining about it, thinking it was overgrown compared to the surrounding lawns with short grass, but it turned out there was quite an array of plants and animals, as is the intention.

All of the photographs were to be uploaded to the Earthwatch website. Adding them here too might have set the record for most photographs attached to a GoodGym Newcastle report.

Before leaving, we were invited back, likely on a Saturday morning, so please look out for that.

Leazes Park is trying to regain its Green Flag and four GoodGymers attempted to help by clearing some litter from the park. The litter was slightly harder to find than usual, so it looks like we weren't the first litter pickers in the park recently.

Good luck to Leazes Park in regaining the Green Flag!

It was a lovely evening for a walk around Shieldfield and Heaton. What wasn't so lovely was the sheer amount of litter scattered all over the place. Particularly drinks containers, be they cans, bottles or cups. There was even an empty bottle of wine.

On the podium for strangest items found were a car battery, a can of engine oil and a candlestick holder. Although perhaps the bike seat should have been in the top three!

The most littered street in the area award goes to South View West. A local resident put the blame on Uber drivers. On our last litter pick in this area we noticed the enormous amount of litter on this street and deliberately went back to do something about it.

All in all, two GoodGymers filled seven bin liners with litter from a pretty small area. A satisfying night's work and a difference made.

Next on the agenda is trying to ensure Leazes Park regains its Green Flag, with some gardening on Saturday and a litter pick next Monday (from One Strawberry Lane).

Three GoodGymers departed Stepney Bank Stables armed with litter pickers and bin liners, probably not aware just how much litter they would collect. Twelve bags later and an immense feeling of satisfaction meant a big difference was made.

At least five different members of the public stopped to chat and commend the litter picking efforts tonight. A couple of GoodGym flyers were handed out, so hopefully one or two of them might join us next time!

Three GoodGymers litter picked in the Ouseburn valley on a spring evening. The plan had been to go litter pick down towards the quayside but when we picked up the litter pickers from Stepney Bank Stables Sara informed us that there had been a market in the Ouseburn at the weekend which had been great for the area but resulted in a lot of litter. So we set off up the valley found plenty of cans, drink cups and a lot of newspapers some of which had been frustratingly ripped into little pieces! It was very satisfying clearing up the area post market and we really felt like we made a difference.