GoodGym Islington
Pot Shots : Part Deux
Monday 6th May
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Last night, Area Activator Simon has joined by 6 fellow keen Goodgymmers (including first timers Ralph and Vaughan) for a special Bank Holiday edition of the Goodgym Islington group session! Ralph, Dan and Mehmet joined Simon for a walk to Caxton House Community Centre on St John's Way, passing a very friendly cat on route (who proceeded to walk on AA Simon's shoulders- silly thing!).
Upon our arrival, we met with Caitlin, Emily and Vaughan, and were greeted by Rose and the local volunteer gardening team. Peter, one of the regular volunteers, thanked us personally for moving freshly dug soil from Caledonian Park over to his potato plot last week- a small world! We split up into a few groups- Dan and Mehmet set about wheel barrowing bags of collected (good quality) soil from a former flower bed over to a Hippo bag behind Caxton House. The plan is that a crane will move these several tonnes of soil over to another local project.
Meanwhile, Ralph, Caitlin and Vaughan continued our ongoing digging task- removing as much soil as possible from the back garden space. The plan is to reconstruct this area to be used as a quiet spot for children and families (especially those with additional needs). We successfully pulled out some very tricky rooted bushes, and the last of the old plastic piping (dubbed "the sand worm" after our previous trip) out of the ground. Exceptional efforts, everyone!
Emily was tasked to prepare a collection of plant pots for the future planting project. These rejected pots were donated to Caxton House due to a defect- a hole had to be physically cut out of the bottom of each pot using a small mallet! About 7 plants were given new homes during our 50 minute visit, and Emily even found time to gather up more sycamore seeds from the surrounding beds and paving slabs- keeping the invasive saplings at bay!
Congratulations everyone. Thanks for coming out on the Bank Holiday, even despite the changeable weather!
Next Week's Group Session!
I am thrilled to announce that we will return to the Emirates Stadium for our group run session next Monday. Area Activator Simon will lead a social paced run to Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens.
And afterwards, we will visit The Highbury Library for a post run social!
A special celebration for Dan's 50th and Caitlin's 100th Good Deeds!
GROUP RUN- Highbury Quadrant Green Space Garden Maintenance - RETURN OF GROUP RUNS! -
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions
Every Thursday, 6pm, Various London locations
On Thursday evenings, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location.
Here is a list of our upcoming events and sign up pages. Runners, supporters and guides of all abilities and experiences welcome!
Thursday 9th May- Paddington Rec Track (Maida Vale underground)
Thursday 16th May- Battersea Park (Battersea Power Station Underground)
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/achilles-international-vi-guide-running-battersea-park
Thursday 23rd May- Emirates Stadium (Arsenal Underground)
Thursday 30th May- Stratford Olympic Park (Stratford Underground)
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British Blind Sports Walk Series- Hyde Park
Tuesday 7th May, 11am - 1pm, Hyde Park Corner
Part of a series of walks lead by British Blind Sports- social paced with local visually impaired neighbours!
This time, we will be visiting Jubilee Parade and Hyde Park together.
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/british-blind-sport-walking-group-hyde-park
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The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!
Wednesday mornings, 10am - midday, Newington Green
The Garden Classroom has started multiple weekly open garden mornings in Newington Green, Market Road and Hillside Park (near Caxton House). Set up by trained horticulture specialists and open to all!
Newington Green Next Wednesday- 10am - midday
Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning
Saturday 11th May, 10am - midday, Union Chapel, Islington
A friendly gardening group started to look after the park about 10 years ago. We are always looking for more help - with planting, mulching, pruning, and all the other things a garden needs.
Everyone welcome, no special skills needed! Lots of fresh air and a nice chance to meet local people.
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
Post Group Run Social- May!
Monday 13th May, 8.45pm, The Highbury Library
Our monthly post group run meet up- at a smashing spot in Drayton Park. Join us after our trip to Highbury Quadrant Estate!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/post-group-run-social-highbury-library
The ARC Centre Riverside Gardens
Friday 17th May, 7pm, The ARC Centre, Angel
Come and help the local volunteer gardening team with some lifting and shifting on Regent's Canal. Followed by a trip to The Hanbury Arms in Packington Square!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/the-arc-centre-riverside-gardens
Night of the 10,000m PBs- Volunteer marshals for the UK athletics party of the year!
Saturday 18th May, 2pm - 10pm, Parliament Hill Track
Help the UK's premier grassroots athletic event go ahead on Parliament Hill!
The event is an annual full day of endurance distance racing with the most competitive runners on the scene. These races have been listed as part of the European 10,000m qualification criteria, so some incredible running will be on show!
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (February)
Saturday 18th May, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!
Hackney Half Volunteer Aid Station!
Sunday 19th April, 7am - 1pm, Hackney Marshes Centre
Help our fellow runners at this incredible local half marathon party! Join the Goodgym team at an official water and aid station to cheer on the participants!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/hackney-half-aid-station-volunteering
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 19th May, 11am - 1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park, Greenways
Our monthly trip to CREOS this year for a woodland regeneration- loads of smashing forest path building has been planned!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-may-2024
British Blind Sports Walk Series- Highgate Woods
Sunday 19th May, 11am - 1pm, Highgate Underground Station
Part of a series of walks lead by British Blind Sports- social paced with local visually impaired neighbours!
This time, we will be visiting the Parkland Walk and Finsbury Park together.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/british-blind-sport-walking-group-highgate-woods
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London Orienteering Klubb- Finsbury Park Go Orienteering Event
Tuesday 21st May, The Twelve Pins, 6pm onwards
Orienteering is really great fun! All abilities running, walking and map reading.
Follow a map offered by London Orienteering Klubb, and find the "controls" (flags and scanning points) across Finsbury Park in order.
2.5km and 5km distances on offer
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-orienteering-klubb-finsbury-park
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Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 26th May, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens
Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road.
Back to our roots
Saturday 4th May
Written by Dan Dunn (He/ him)
Six GoodGymers arrived on this sunny Saturday morning to help clear an unusable allotment bed which was covered with ivy, random objects and deep roots.
We cleared the whole bed making a big difference and it looked as good as new! Ready for growing and it will help with biodiversity in the area.
We also uncovered a forgotten bench and found time to give it a bit of a spruce up.
Great Runs, Golden Dogs, Green Parks
Thursday 2nd May
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Achilles International London, the capital's chapter of the visually impaired and all abilities athletics foundation, were thrilled to return to Green Park for the first time this year. Summer months bring more opportunities for evening running in beautiful Royal Parks, with Goodgym guiding and bag drop volunteers on hand!
This evening, Tom D was guided by Emre and first time guide Sander over 10km total distance between the two runners. Luc run a smashing series of laps with Brendan. Meanwhile Michelle, Charlie and Simon looked after Mario and Hugo, two lovely guide dogs, while their owners enjoyed their running sessions.
Thank you for a wonderful evening everyone!
Next week, we will be at Paddington Rec Track, meeting at Maida Vale Underground Station:
A trip Down Under
Tuesday 30th April
Written by Islington runner
Ms N's back yard is overlooked by a magnificent Eucalyptus tree which, combined with the early evening sunshine and blue sky, made it seem more like Australia than Islington. Unfortunately, this type of tree sheds both leaves and bark, so Ms N's yard had a carpet of vegetation that made it difficult for her to sit and enjoy the fresh air.
After a warm welcome, Anne and David checked for stray koalas, quokkas and snakes before getting to work sweeping and bagging the fallen vegetation. Despite a broom malfunction, the task went well and was completed within an hour, allowing us time to also tidy up the potted plants on the garden table.
(Moving) Rock Around The Clock
Monday 29th April
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On an absolutely beautiful Monday evening (bright, sunny, gorgeous!), 13 keen Goodgymmers walked, cycled and ran to meet with Area Activator Simon outside Caledonian Road Underground Station. At this time, our usual group runs have been switched out with community walks from transport links, until Simon is ready to run again! Together, we walked up Market Road, and towards Caledonian Park (well known for its stunning clock tower!).
On route, we met with Miriam, the resident gardening expert and vokunteer lead for the park, pushing wheelbarrows to our meeting point. Our crew were happy to jump in and help out. The project for the evening was to move as much mulch, soil and bark chip as possible from a donated pile of useful gardening material in the middle of the park. The soil was wheel barrowed to the new pond and vegetable garden plots, after being shoveled by our team. Green turf and grass were collected and saved, and piled up for future greenery projects. We also helped with separating the gravel and bark chip from the soil, as this material will be used for forest pathways around the Caledonian Park Junior parkrun course!
Within 45 minutes, we had had done a stellar job of separating these materials, and shifting the soil to the correct locations. Well done everyone!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
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Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions
Every Thursday, 6pm, Various London locations
On Thursday evenings, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location.
Here is a list of our upcoming events and sign up pages. Runners, supporters and guides of all abilities and experiences welcome!
Thursday 2nd May- Green Park
Thursday 9th May- Paddington Rec Track (Maida Vale underground)
-------‐----------------------------
British Blind Sports Walk Series- Hyde Park
Tuesday 7th May, 11am - 1pm, Hyde Park Corner
Part of a series of walks lead by British Blind Sports- social paced with local visually impaired neighbours!
This time, we will be visiting Jubilee Parade and Hyde Park together.
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/british-blind-sport-walking-group-hyde-park
-------------------------‐---------
The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!
Wednesday mornings, 10am - midday, Newington Green
The Garden Classroom has started multiple weekly open garden mornings in Newington Green, Market Road and Hillside Park (near Caxton House). Set up by trained horticulture specialists and open to all!
Newington Green Next Wednesday- 10am - midday
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Highbury Quadrant Greening with Elizabeth House
Every Saturday, 10.30am - 12 midday, Highbury Quadrant Meadow
A fantastic task for post-parkrun runners at Highbury Fields or Finsbury Park!
Elizabeth House Community Centre, in partnership with Islington Council, Highbury Quadrant Tenants and Residents Association, Highbury Councillors and community organisations transformed three unloved and unusable green spaces on Highbury Quadrant estate.
These green spaces have been designed into three distinct spaces, improving bio-diversity and the local environment. There is now a beautiful meadow, an orchard and woodland areas.
Local residents have the opportunity to access these green spaces and take part in gardening and nature based activities, every Saturday mornings 10 am to 12 pm.
Saturday 4th May
Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning
Saturday 11th May, 10am - midday, Union Chapel, Islington
A friendly gardening group started to look after the park about 10 years ago. We are always looking for more help - with planting, mulching, pruning, and all the other things a garden needs.
Everyone welcome, no special skills needed! Lots of fresh air and a nice chance to meet local people.
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
Post Group Run Social- May!
Monday 13th May, 8.45pm, The Highbury Library
Our monthly post group run meet up- at a smashing spot in Drayton Park. Join us after our trip to Highbury Quadrant Estate!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/post-group-run-social-highbury-library
The ARC Centre Riverside Gardens
Friday 17th May, 7pm, The ARC Centre, Angel
Come and help the local volunteer gardening team with some lifting and shifting on Regent's Canal. Followed by a trip to The Hanbury Arms in Packington Square!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/the-arc-centre-riverside-gardens
Night of the 10,000m PBs- Volunteer marshals for the UK athletics party of the year!
Saturday 18th May, 2pm - 10pm, Parliament Hill Track
Help the UK's premier grassroots athletic event go ahead on Parliament Hill!
The event is an annual full day of endurance distance racing with the most competitive runners on the scene. These races have been listed as part of the European 10,000m qualification criteria, so some incredible running will be on show!
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (February)
Saturday 18th May, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!
Hackney Half Volunteer Aid Station!
Sunday 19th April, 7am - 1pm, Hackney Marshes Centre
Help our fellow runners at this incredible local half marathon party! Join the Goodgym team at an official water and aid station to cheer on the participants!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/hackney-half-aid-station-volunteering
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 19th May, 11am - 1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park, Greenways
Our monthly trip to CREOS this year for a woodland regeneration- loads of smashing forest path building has been planned!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-may-2024
British Blind Sports Walk Series- Highgate Woods
Sunday 19th May, 11am - 1pm, Highgate Underground Station
Part of a series of walks lead by British Blind Sports- social paced with local visually impaired neighbours!
This time, we will be visiting the Parkland Walk and Finsbury Park together.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/british-blind-sport-walking-group-highgate-woods
---------------------------‐---------
London Orienteering Klubb- Finsbury Park Go Orienteering Event
Tuesday 21st May, The Twelve Pins, 6pm onwards
Orienteering is really great fun! All abilities running, walking and map reading.
Follow a map offered by London Orienteering Klubb, and find the "controls" (flags and scanning points) across Finsbury Park in order.
2.5km and 5km distances on offer
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-orienteering-klubb-finsbury-park
--------------------------------‐---------
Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 26th May, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens
Every last Sunday of the month, the residents of Penn Road invite keen volunteers to help with maintaining this lovely community spot just off Holloway Road.
Project Penn
Sunday 28th April
Written by Dan Dunn (He/ him)
5 GoodGymers joined the residents of Penn Road Gardens to help out with a variety of tasks. Composting, saving snails and ridding the garden of invasive plants.
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