GoodGym Islington
Where the wind blows.
Wednesday 24th December
Written by Islington runner
Leaves and apples from nearby trees had fallen into Mrs C's back yard, and needed to be cleared up. On a crisp, sunny and windy Christmas Eve, I swept up as many leaves as I could find. At times this felt like a Sisyphean task - as soon as I had made a pile, a gust would distribute some of them across the garden once more. But persistence won and, within an hour, both front and back yards were clear, leaving the house looking more tidy for Christmas.
Goodgym Islington's Christmas Snoop Loop
Monday 22nd December
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon met with Goodgym runners from all different areas outside the great doors of St Paul's Cathedral on Monday evening. This week, we set up alternative festive get-together around the Fetter Lane and City Mile boroughs. Wild in Art, an arts collective who set up urban sculpture trails for charities across the UK, worked with the Fleet Street Festive Quarter to create the Xmas Snoopy Trail. 12 "Snoopys" designed by artists and creatives to find across Central London.
Our crew did a smashing job of orienteering around the beautiful Victorian streets, vast office blocks, grade 2 listed buildings and bright neon installations to find all of the figures (some were definitely more tricky to find than others!). Well done, everyone!
To celebrate, we visited Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub on Fleet Street for food and refreshments (rebuilt in 1667 after the great fire of London, frequented by Charles Dickens, and even featured in "The Tale of Two Cities"!)
Portal Kombat
Sunday 21st December
Written by Kash
Ms E had been through incredibly tough times that culminated in a long-term hospitalisation. Her plans to renovate the patio and the materials bought for that purpose became the last thing to worry about. When Ms E returned home, the garden she had known was no longer there. Instead, there was an uninviting portal that led to an impenetrable wall of brambles. Behind the curtain of spikes lay Outworld - once a beautiful and peaceful place until it became overtaken by brambles.
Ms E summoned two warriors from Ealingrealm to fight the invaders in a deadly tournament to protect her home from being conquered by thorns from Bramblerealm. She had only one pair of shears; the other was probably a victim of a bramble conspiracy. But that would not stop Sevan and Kash.
Kash went first through the portal with a pair of Ms E's shears and immediately entered berserk mode, snipping, cutting, and chopping everything in her way. Sevan bravely entered the portal with bare gloves and plastic bin bags. He meticulously captured the defeated brambles and put them into sacks, which was not easy as even the cut brambles fought back, hooking to Sevan's clothes with their spikes.
The warriors had limited time, as it was the shortest day of the year, to win the tournament. They had to knock the brambles out for good. With the help of Amphibian, whom they'd rescued on the way, and a newly discovered rake, Sevan and Kash pressed on and eventually reached the brick wall at the far side of the arena.
When the sun set and the rain came, the battle was over. The surviving brambles retreated to the left side of the arena. Everyone was certain that the light would return to Outworld and to Ms E's garden the following day.
Bed ridding
Friday 19th December
Written by Ivo (he/him)
We got rid of Mrs J's unwanted bed. A quick job Job me and David. We took the disassembled bed over to the refuse area with Mrs J's clear instructions. The sun was shining, Mrs J thanked us and wished us a merry Christmas and we headed back out into the world.
Easy Tree-sy
Monday 15th December
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
5 Islington Goodgymmers joined Area Activator Simon by the clocktower in Caledonian Park last night, ready to help Gail and the local volunteer gardening team. We were treated to a gorgeous evening, with big atmospheric Winter skies - perfect for tramping around on the woodland walk.
Our objective for the session was to transport as much sand as possible from the North side of the park (through the arches on the Clocktower aka the finishing line for Caledonian Junior parkrun), and over the the woodland walk and the community amphitheatre. While 4 of our crew used wheelbarrows to shift the material, Matt and Emily used rakes to smooth out the pathways on the other side. Stephane, Alice, Hermione and Simon kept an excellent rhythm going while carting the sand from point to point, allowing us to cover loads of ground by the end of the night. We even created a really smart ring of safe walking ground around a tree in the middle of the path.
Congratulations everyone on completing our last official group task of 2025. Come and join us for our specialFetter Lane Festive Snoopy Trail next Monday!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
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SESSIONS IN DECEMBER
Group Run - Festive Fleet Street Quarter Snoopy Trail, 6.45pm, St Paul's Cathedral Monday 22nd December
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/wild-in-art-fleet-street-quarter-snoopy-trail
Achilles International UK- Betwixtmas Special 6pm, Arsenal underground station, Monday 29th December
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/achilles-international-uk-special-betwixtmas-group-session
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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!
DECEMBER
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 18th December
Betwixtmas Special - Emirates Stadium Monday 29th December
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/achilles-international-uk-special-betwixtmas-group-session
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Track and Towpath - January Challenge Edition!
Come and join Area Activator and UK Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) Simon for a fun mixed pace training session Over the month of January, Simon will be hosting a weekly morning running workouts in various parks in the Islington and Tower Hamlets boroughs. All paces and abilities welcome! The intention is to build up fitness together towards the Runthrough Victoria Park 10km on Sunday 1st February.
Thursday 8th January 7.50am, Arsenal Community Hub, Emirates Stadium
Thursday 15th January 7.50am, Poplar Union, Bartlett Park
Thursday 22nd January 7.50am, Common Ground coffee, Finsbury Park
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-january-challenge-finsbury-park-kenyan-hills
Thursday 29th January 7.50am, Mile End Climbing Wall, Meath Gardens
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-january-challenge-meath-gardens-kilometres
Runthrough Victoria Park 10km Event!
Sunday 1st February, 9am, Victoria Park
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-runthrough-victoria-park-10km-february-2026
(Strava group link)
https://strava.app.link/3aQu4W5ISYb
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The Green Guardians Volunteer Gardening Sessions
Tuesdays (and a single Saturday) 10am - 12 midday
Market Road Gardens, London N7 9GT
Come along and meet the TGC team and help us to keep Market Road Gardens looking beautiful! All tools provided. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Tea, coffee and biscuits also provided.
Winter Dates
September 16th, 23rd, 30th
October 7th, 14th, 21st (not 28th!)
November 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
December 2nd, 9th and 16th
Next session
Tuesday 16th December:
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The Green Guardians Volunteer Gardening Sessions
Wednesdays (and one single Saturday) 10am - 12 midday
TGC Hut, Newington Green Park Building, 2 Newington Green, London, N1 4RF
Come along and meet the TGC team and help us to keep Newington Green tidy and lovely!
All tools provided. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Tea, coffee and biscuits also provided.
Winter Dates
September - 17th, 24th, and Saturday 27th
October- 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd
November- 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
December- 3rd, 10th and 17th
Next Session
Wednesday 17th December
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Green Guardians- Whittington Park Sessions
Tuesday and Thursday morning sessions, Whittington Park, Archway
We have six really interesting gardening session happening at Whittington Park. We'll be planting native wild flowers, hedging and bulbs, creating a stumper and planting fruit trees.
These are relaxed friendly sessions where the emphasis is on spending time outside in nature, whilst learning and sharing skills and meeting new people.
The sessions are free and open to all, though under 16's must be with a responsible adult. No experience is needed. We provide tools, gloves, guidance and refreshments.
Session Dates
Thursday 16th Oct 2025, 10am to 12pm ; planting native wildflower
Thursday 13th Nov 2026,10am to 12pm ; planting native bulbs
Tuesday 6th Jan 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Orchard tree planting with the Orchard Project (with optional free volunteers lunch at 1pm)
Tuesday 13th Jan 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Wildlife hedge planting
Tuesday 20th Jan, 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Loggery habitat creation
Tuesday 27th Jan, 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Loggery habitat creation
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Next session
Tuesday 6th January, 10am - 12 midday:
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Elizabeth House Food Hub - Xmas Supplies Prep
Tuesday 16th December, 12.30 - 1.30pm, Elizabeth House Food Hub, Hurlock Street
The team at Elizabeth House Food Hub have requested for an extra pair of hands to help with preparing up the donation centre.
As the holidays are approaching, the centre will be expecting more visitors to make use of this vital service. Your help is invaluable!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/elizabeth-house-food-hub-xmas-supplies-prep
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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning
Saturday 20th December, 10am - midday, Canonbury Square Gardens
The Friends of Canonbury Square Gardens host an open community gardening session on the 3rd Saturday morning of every month.
Usual tasks would include bulb planting, trimming, laying compost, maintaining flower beds and litter picking.
Mince Pie vs Ginger Bread Cakes
Thursday 11th December
Written by StephDucat
Thursday evening Achilles UK session at the Emirates(Arsenal) and roughly nearly 20 people turned up to run, walk, support or look after the bags but also to chat and get treats at the end. We won't forget our 4 legged friend who also enjoyed the treats. After a great session we were treated to warm mince pies and some home baked ginger bread cakes with different shapes including Xmas trees. Well done all.
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