Polling night in London, and cameras and journalists were stationed outside the lovely Brady Arts and Community Centre.

This special public space was home to votes that day, yet our group of Dan, Lucy, Jackie, John, Steve, and I were there for another social purpose.

Sneaking past the publicly spirited voters and microphones, we clanked up the stairs carrying our tools and smiles.

Our second time visiting, we were there to remove sturdy and reluctant rawlplugs (which Dan did seamlessly!), fill holes and plaster cracks (which Jackie took to wonderfully), and sand walls (courtesy of Lucy, John, and Steve) ready for painting on the weekend!!

Over 45 minutes, we saw the sun set and made a huge difference to this space - thank you, everyone, it was just great to spend this evening working and laughing with you all!!

Barbra Streisand celebrated her birthday on Wednesday - Happy Birthday, Barbra!!

I know this because of the OnThisDay website. And Wikipedia. I double checked on Wikipedia. I trust Wikipedia, but I didn't trust OnThisDay.

But now, of course, I do. And they tell me that Wednesday would also have been William of Orange's 491st birthday - big numbers, Will!

Then there's Lou Thesz - who was a wrestler; and Philippe Pétain - who was a French general; and the list goes on and on. But...

...does it mention GoodGym Camden... why heck, it doesn't! What would Barbra say, OnThisDay, hey?

Because it was big news as our merry group met outside the Francis Crick on Wednesday evening - GoodGym Camden was 11!!

Dan, Faye, Jackie, John, Lucy, and Steve met in spring light and we started the evening with a gentle warm up game of Get to 33!

Warmed and chatting, we strolled next door to the special King's Cross Story Garden. Housed above the British Library's car park, the space is a cared-for curation of nature and crafts, sat snug and peaceful amidst King's Cross's hub-bub.

Chimen (who was on their first good deed - welcome!!), Emre, and Louise joined us on site, where we were welcomed by the lovely Holly, the Story Garden's Manager.

Our task was simple - get things out of the way - preparing the way for the removal team, who will be taking stock over to the garden's new permanent home a stone's throw away.

We got to it, dismantling gazebos, shifting pallets, lifting portable saunas, and then making things tidy and neat once again.

Over 45 minutes, this team of 10 made such a difference, and we did so whilst sharing our own stories and laughter.

Thanks, everyone, I really appreciate your work, and I hope to see you at another session soon!!!

Eight awesome GoodGymmers got down to Hackney City Farm for some forking, shovelling, digging and shifting as we moved compost across the farm.

The farm is re-building one of its composting areas with some colourful new pallets so we needed to re-site the compost before the next task: building the new composter!

Huge props to Alicia for coming down to her first session and getting properly stuck in!!

Jacqui, Lucy, Alicia and Alice got started on the digging and loading; Sooz and John heading back and forth with the barrows, whilst Emre and Dan got on with re-siting the compost.

Massive team effort, and we’re now more than halfway through the re-siting and the compost is looking gooood!

6 frequent Goodgym Islington attendees joined a slightly broken Area Activator Simon at The Tollington Arms on Benwell Road last week. A hidden gem for delicious homemade Thai food in the borough!

---

The GoodGym Islington AGM 2024

We hosted our first proper open meeting together to talk about how Goodgym Islington is going, and to take feedback for future sessions.

Here were some of the key topics of discussion, directed at group runs and community missions in particular:

Monday Group Runs

We agreed that our usual time and set up for Monday group runs seem to work well for those who attend. And the Arsenal Community Hub start point is well suited for exploring the whole borough together. The bag drop and WC facilities are key to establishing a base for group runs. Tasks without these can pose as a barrier to entry for new attendees.

However, we are open to accommodating occasional changes to the schedule, depending on the task.

For example, our Easter group run to the Rose Bowl Youth Centre will be hosted on Tuesday instead to sideline Easter Monday:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-rose-bowl-youth-club-tuesday-session

and our next trip to Elizabeth House Food Hub will be at 6pm to allow for more varied tasks (more deliveries, less clear up), and to help with the regular volunteers:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-elizabeth-house-food-hub-easter-helpers-6pm-start

Favourite Tasks

Some of our favourite tasks in recent times have been:

• Lifting and shifting tasks!
• Food bank deliveries (requires a bit of additional admin, but alway good!)
• Building and constructing for gardens and community centres
• Youth centres and playgrounds
• Slow Ways route mapping and reviewing

We are also looking at collaborating for more weekend missions - particularly if we can combine a parkrun excusion too!

On the same subject, we are very open to combining nationwide campaigns as part of our Goodgym sessions. Examples include:

Run and Talk Butterfly Day The Big Plastic Count Race Against Time Relay

Fitness Activities

We are open to including fitness games and core training as part of our Group Run warm ups.

Longer fitness elements (e.g. Emirates Stadium Time Trial) will be publicised in advance of the group run, as a "training session". Always optional, but an incentive for anyone who would like to try it!

Definitely preferred to introduce these before a group run, and not after.

Socials and Excursions

Yes to more socials and excursions!

Suggestions included:

• a trip to YHA South Downs for parkrun and hiking
• Visit to Caledonian Park clocktower
• London Zoo
• Summer picnic and slacklining
• Researching for more "Goodgym Islington" specific activities in the borough

---

Thank You for all involved!

If you have anything to add or suggest, you are very welcome to email Simon directly at:

simonfitzmaurice@goodgym.org