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!

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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

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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

(* No worms actually murdered. It was a close call!)

Area Activator Simon met up with a top crew of Goodgym runners (some hailing from Islington, some hailing from Chamonix, France!) at the Arsenal Community Hub. Together, we engaged with a range of dynamic warm up exercises before running towards The Museum of Homelessness in Finsbury Park. On route, we ran along the nature path next to Gillespie Park, dropping us off at the top of Blackstock Road. We followed a reverse loop of Finsbury parkrun before arriving at our task location (next to Manor House station).

We were greeted by Jess and Matt at the MOH, who had set us up a smashing collection of tasks for the evening. The garden space surrounding the Museum of Homelessness have been maintained by vulnerable and unhoused individuals, and we have agreed to lend a hand with some heavy lifting.

Team 1 picked up spades and shovels, and assisted with digging out a new pathway around the museum. The plan is to build a disabled access pathway from the main drive in Finsbury Park. A huge job to take on, but are happy to help out! Team 2 helped with moving large piles of gravel and cement over to a new pathway by the entrance of The museum. And then Team 3 took a (slightly squeaky) wheelbarrow to collect mulch and compost from a dedicated bin within Finsbury Park, and dropped piles of fertiliser off in the gardens for more planting projects.

We pitched in a solid 40 minutes of graft between us, and our efforts were super appreciated by the small team at MOH. Great job everyone!

Next Monday, we will be visiting Caledonian Park for some bark chip lifting and shifting! Sign up here:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-cally-park-trip-for-bark-chips-a14ff737-e7e4-4451-9362-8e0f798802ba

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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!

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Thursday 21st March- Paddington Rec Track, Maida Vale Underground station

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-fb5f19b9-1919-44a1-9346-bff59d614db7

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Special Runthrough Chase The Sun 5km/10km Battersea Park event with Achilles International

Wednesday 27th March, 5.45pm, Battersea Power Station Underground Station

Testing out a new potential group run location for all abilities and accessibilities sports charity! And celebrating a smashing regular running event!

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/achilles-international-takeover-runthrough-battersea-park-chase-the-sun-5km-10km

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Thursday 28th March- Stratford Olympic Park, Stratford Underground station (Westfield exit)

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route

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ON Running Spitalfields run club- Thursday morning wake up runs!

Thursday 21st March, 7am, ON Running Spitalfields, Brushfield Street

Area Activator Simon has set up a series of morning runs, hosted on Thursday mornings at the new ON Running store in Spitalfields market.

A social 5km before work, with the option to take out a pair of ON Running shoes for a test spin.

Next run is on Thursday 21st March:

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/jenki-matcha-with-on-running-spitalfields-group-600d94f9-4886-4e8b-8684-c6f3c2ed911c

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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

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-newington-green-volunteer-morning-d9e96d86-c13c-4dcd-8e62-af5ef8199d07

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Goodgym Islington AGM - social and catch up!

Thursday 21st March, 7.30pm, The Tollington Arms

Area Activator Simon invites you to an evening out for a social catch up on all things Goodgym related.

Alongside general good times, we are open to discuss:

• What do you most enjoy about Goodgym?

• What would you like to see more of, or are we missing anything?

• Suggestions for potential tasks, trips, socials etc!

• Would you like to be part of the Goodgym Islington taskforce in any capacity? And what would this involve?

Your feedback is super helpful for the future of GG Islington and beyond!!!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/goodgym-islington-agm

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Camino London Ultra: Lea Valley 50km and Gratitude 25km- Finish Line Party!

Saturday 23rd March, 12 midday onwards, Here East, Hackney Wick

The Camino Ultra London 50km returns for 2024, stretching from Welwyn Garden City, to Ware, and then down the Lea Valley to our finishing line in Hackney Wick (Here East).

Race organisers Darren Strachan and David Bone aka DaznBone would love to invite the Goodgym community back to bring excitement and positivity to our runners, as they finish their races.

The theme is: Bring The Party!!!

Cowbells, cheers, noise makers, music and fun!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/camino-ultra-london-lea-valley-races-finish-line-party

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Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day

Sunday 31st March, 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.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-march-e9440349-024e-4bcb-8dfb-08b0e2c38ab7