On a summer’s Monday evening, seven GoodGymers headed to Traid in Dalston to assist with preparation for their summer sale.

Splitting up across shop floor and stock, the team tackled cages of donations by hanging them up on rails to be sorted while the upstairs crew neatly reorganised garments into colour order.

We had a great time helping Traid out and catching up with each other. A special welcome to newcomers John and a welcome back to Richard after a number of years!

We’ll be back at Traid over the coming weeks so keep your eyes peeled for more.

Area Activator Simon was thrilled to return to Goodgym Islington last night after a two week adventure in Las Vegas, Nevada, California and Utah. 10 keen Goodgymmers (including first timer Sofia- welcome!) joined us at the Arsenal Community Hub for a pleasant group run up Sobell Road, or at our new task location Isledon Gardens.

Goodgym Islington regulars Alison and Alice were the first to arrive at the hidden community garden next to the Sam Morris Nursery, and helped the rest of us to locate the exact meeting place! Local gardeners Mary and Michael were thrilled to see so many volunteers on hand, and directed us to 2 main tasks for the evening.

Task 1 involved unloading coffee sacks of pre-packed wood chip onto a new pathway towards the back of the garden. Large plant pots needed to be safely moved to gain access to the full route, but we made short work of it. We then raked the surfaces to flatten the chips, and the rest of our crew started a production line to fill up as many bags of wood chip as possible for future projects.

Task 2 revolved around us unloading a bin full of new compost, and distributing it into a new planter. No easy job, as the compost was hard packed, and had settled into the compost bin over time. Mehmet, Alice and Pete worked together to dislodge the compost before shovelling the fertiliser into the bed. After lots of scoops, we were able to lift the compost bin into the planter, and we knocked the rest of the compost loose. Great job, well done folks!

As we finished up our task for the evening, Alison announced that she had completed her 400th Goodgym deed with us. An incredible undertaking- congratulations! We remember hearing about Alison's Goodgym activities in Bath back in the day, and we really appreciate her efforts with Goodgym Islington. Well done!

---

GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS

---

SESSIONS IN JULY

Group Run- Isledon Gardens Nature Trail 6.45pm, Isledon Gardens, Parkside Crescent, Monday 21st July

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-isledon-gardens-nature-trail

Community Mission- Highbury Quadrant Estate 7.15pm, Highbury Quadrant Estate, Monday 28th July

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-highbury-quadrant-gardening-caa4b5c0-b45f-447c-8894-2f0c3a620ff4

Group Run- Market Road Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 4th August

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-market-road-gardens-with-elizabeth-house

—------------------------------------

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!

Hyde Park Thursday 24th July

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-hyde-park-summer-session-c5989878-14dd-4e1e-93eb-463eeeb5c47a

Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 31st July

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-e5b63d41-7333-483b-9844-ff2f70ee1c67

—--------------------------------------

Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!

Tuesday 22nd July, 12.45 - 1.15pm, Elizabeth House

On Tuesday afternoons, during term time, the team at Elizabeth House Food Hub have requested for an extra pair of hands to help with cleaning and tidying up their donation centre.

Expect some satisfying sweeping and surface cleaning to assist this busy team!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/elizabeth-house-food-hub-lunchtime-sweep-up-task-aeb5c257-bc38-4e8b-b4d3-173284fbead7

—---------------------------------------

Green Guardians Spring Sessions

The Garden Classroom, Newington Green

Saturday 26th July

Next session: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-newington-green-green-guardians-volunteer-morning-saturday-special-dad0ca38-4285-48f9-861c-71fc2a9624cd

—---------------------------

Penn Road Gardens - July Volunteer Day

Sunday 27th July, 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/happenings/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-july-4ada7b9d-627b-4d7d-84a6-2cb96e09ab0a

—----------------------------

Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session

Saturday 9th August, 10am - 1pm, Union Chapel, Islington

A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!

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. We meet once a month on a Saturday morning near the shed in the middle of the Gardens.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/compton-terrace-gardens-volunteer-open-morning-august

—----------------------

Golden Olden Community Gardens - Monthly Volunteer Open Day

Saturday 16th August, 10am - 2pm, Opposite Whistler Street, Islington

Olden Community Garden is a charity that maintains this lovely green space, with the object to promote a community garden for the benefit of people living or working in the London Borough of Islington. Olden Garden gives local people opportunities for education and recreation, with the aim of increasing involvement in the community and reducing isolation.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/golden-olden-community-gardens-monthly-volunteer-open-day-1e8a6ac9-aaa3-4ae8-bf27-1ffd556a6a98

—--------------------------

We were back on Stoke Newington Common, giving the young trees their weekly drink - very much needed after the temperatures we've had of late.

With the new Two-Team System in place, the group whipped round the common with their canisters and cart, keeping the little whips and saplings (and some slightly older trees too) alive for another week.

This weeks innovation - using a tree guard to aid the decanting of water from a large (heavy) cannister into smaller (lighter) cannisters.