Caxton House
143 GoodGymers have supported Caxton House with 25 tasks.
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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.
Disturbing the Soil Worms
Monday 15th April
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
A Return to Caxton House Community Gardens
This week, Area Activator Simon caught up with 9 Goodgymmers from all across town between Archway underground station and Caxton House Community Gardens. Continuing our regular walking groups (runs will return on Monday 13th May!), our team arrived outside the centre and met with Rose and a big crowd of local volunteers, all on hand to help out for an evening of lifting and shifting.
The plan is to make a start on building a lovely new sensory garden- ready for new bulbs and plants to be prepared in June (we will definitely be returning to help out!). First things first, our crew picked up shovels and forks to dig up masses of old soil, and bagging the mud up for other projects. Emre did a smashing job of wheelbarrowing the full bags to the garden entrance gate, ready of pick up. Emily and Sally also helped with weeding the pavements on the main courtyard, and gathering sycamore seeds from the surfaces (these can be invasive and quick growing- best to pick them up ASAP!).
After 45 minutes of digging and jaffa cakes, our crew successfully pulled out an abundance of plastic piping, left behind from previous garden users. A difficult job, very well done! Excellent work everyone.
Together, we walked back toward the underground station, before popping in for refreshments, pizza and Scrabble at The Archway Tavern for our monthly social.
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 18th April- The Big Battersea Park London Marathon Meet Up!
Thursday 25th April- Stratford Olympic Park
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Thursday 2nd May- Green Park
Thursday 9th May- Paddington Rec Track (Maida Vale underground)
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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
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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (April)
Saturday 20th April, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 21st April, 11am - 1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park, Greenways
Our annual 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-april-2024
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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 27th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/highbury-quadrant-greening-with-elizabeth-house
Saturday 4th May
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Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 28th April, 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.
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!
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
Painting and Pancake Talk
Monday 28th February 2022
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On a slightly wet Monday evening, Area Activator Simon was joined by Laura and Katie at Elizabeth House Food Hub for a run across the borough. After a warm up and a chat, we departed towards the Emirates Stadium (passing dog walkers, personal trainers and boxing coaches still outside despite the rain), and up Sussex Way to Caxton House Community Centre.
Upon our arrival, Rose (the volunteer coordinator) had already put a few of our Highgate and Archway based Goodgymmers to work. Guro had offered to help with some outdoor tasks, such as pruning and sweeping up the cuttings from the overgrown bushes lining the entrance of the community centre. Rose and Guro really did a smashing job of this- the transformation was super clear to see! All being well, we will return to help out with more outdoor tasks in April.
Inside the centre, the rest of our crew (Alison, Emily and Caitlin) were busy painting the insides of a new sewing and textiles room. This was our fourth time returning to this task, after taking a step back due to indoor activity guidance, and we were really keen to apply the final touches to the base coat. Since we were painting straight onto brick work, it was really important that we really cover the whole room really efficiently, to make the second coat look nice and consistent.
Rose and Jonas were thrilled with our continued efforts towards this project, and are excited to see the textile room coming together. We celebrated a solid evening of Goodgymming with a cup of squash or two and a few chocolates offered by the Caxton House team, while talking about our potential pancake toppings for Pancake Day tomorrow!
Lemon and sugar came out on top as a favourite recipe, but maple syrup was a close second.
Next week, we will be setting off from Elizabeth House Food Hub over to Highbury Quadrant Estate for a litter picking and flyering session for Birchmore Hall Community Centre. Sign up here to get involved!
NEWS
Post Run Pizza Next Week
After our session at Birchmore Hall, we are planning on visiting The Bank of Friendship pub on Highbury Park Hill for pizza and refreshments.
Sign up here to confirm your attendance:
Thornhill Square Gardens Saturday Volunteering Morning
On Saturday, we will be returning to help the lovely Anna and the Friends of Thornhill Square Gardens with for monthly gardening maintenance morning. A great way to start the weekend!
Sign up here to get involved:
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/thornhill-square-gardens-open-volunteer-morning-march
If you Steve Lee me now
Monday 21st February 2022
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
As Area Activator Simon was walking down Blackstock Road, he bumped into two runners sporting Goodgym tops looking for Elizabeth House Food Bank on Hurlock Street. "You've missed the turning", he said, and promptly jogged with Alison and GG Bristol legend Maria to our group run start point. Katie joined our running crew as well, and together we ran the 2.3 miles past the Emirates Stadium and up Sussex Way to Caxton House.
Upon our arrival, the community centre was already full of activity! Alex and first timer Guro (welcome and thank you for joining us tonight!) were busy with cutting and trimming a mass of over grown bushes and weeds around the entrance of Caxton House. Benedetta and Katie took to painting the interiors of the new sewing and textile room (a task we started before the rise of Covid infections in early 2022, and are so happy to continue). Steve and Caitlin became our in-house engineers for the evening, and successfully built a flat pack shelving unit for the new room, while also identifying a collection of parts that were mis-sized. Hopefully we will have some replacements in time for next week!
As we closed for the evening, we found out that Goodgym Islington superstar Steve had just run his final Goodgym task in Islington as a resident, and will be moving down to New Cross very soon. Sad to not see you with such regularity, but definitely not goodbye (as is the nature of Goodgym). We hope to visit you soon!
NEWS:
Headtorch Group Run- Muswell Hill and Ally Pally
Area Activator Simon will be leading a headtorch group run on Friday evening, following the Parkland Walk to Alexandra Palace. Some of the best views in London- all paces welcome!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/headtorch-group-run-highgate-muswell-hill-alexandra-palace
Penn Road Gardens Monthly Visit
On Sunday, a crew of Goodgym runners will be helping the local residents around Penn Road to maintain their lovely community space.
Any time between 10am - 12 midday on Sunday 27th February.
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-february
Vines and Vibes
Monday 31st January 2022
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening, Goodgym Islington had an incredible turn-out for the final group run of the January Challenge
Area Activator Simon was joined by Rory, Prima, Benedetta and Chris outside the Elizabeth House Food Hub- some new faces and returning Goodgym Islington members in the mix! After a short warm-up up and down Hurlock Street, we ran together up Highbury Hill, past the Emirates Stadium and towards Caxton House Community Centre.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by Rose, one of the main project managers of the halls, who had already designated tasks to the rest of our Goodgym group. Team 1 (consisting of Sam, Sally, Emily, Caitlin and Louise) were busy thinning back a collection of large overgrown bushes and brambles around the main entrance area of the community centre, donning thick protective gloves and using clippers and secateurs to do the job (along with some brute strength!). This also involved clearing away some clumps of ivy off the walls around the main door frame. Despite being lovely to look at, the ivy can cause unrepairable damage to the brickwork of the building.
Team 2 (Chris and Benedetta), borrowed a pair of kneeling mats and trowels to tidy up the first flower beds on view as visitors enter Caxton House. A weeding session had been long overdue, and the improvement was massive!
Team 3 (Rory, Patrick, Aidan, Steve and Prima) made their way round to the activity and outdoor seating area of the centre, and assisted in clearing as much moss and excess mud from the paving stones as possible. Long scraping sticks with sharp bristle brushes were used for the task, with the intention of keeping the play safe and slip-free for running and outdoor games.
As we returned our tools back to the centre, we were treated to fresh water and chocolate eggs for additional sustenance after a good hour of hard work! We set off on our separate routes, with Simon, Patrick, Steve ans Chris completing an additional 3km-ish return trip to Elizabeth House for more January Challenge miles.
Our intention is to return to Caxton House on the 21st and 28th February to follow-up on our gardening and painting tasks, so keep an eye on those group runs!
NEWS
Next Group Run- Caledonian Park Clear Up
Next Monday evening, we will be running from Elizabeth House Food Hub over to Caledonian Park on Market Road for a top session of digging, wheelbarrowing and shifting soil! Classic Goodgym Task!
Monday 7th February- Sign Up Here:
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/group-run-cally-clocktower-park-clear-up
February Post Group Run Social
Following our trip to Caledonian Park, we plan to visit Âu Lạc restaurant on Highbury Park (opposite Elizabeth House Food Hub) for some delicious Vietnamese dishes, refreshments and good times!
Sign up here:
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/february-social-post-group-run-meal-at-au-l-c
Paint 'n' Pizza
Monday 6th December 2021
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On a brisk Monday evening, Area Activator Simon and Annikki run together to Caxton House Community Centre from Elizabeth House Food Hub near Blackstock Road, Islington. 2 miles covered on route, passing residential neighbourhoods and streets full of tasteful (and slightly more gaudy) Christmas lights!
Upon arrival, we made our way upstairs to meet Rose and Sue, the volunteer coordinators of the project. Our task this week was to continue painting the interiors of a new sewing and textiles room- hopefully accessible to visitors early 2022. Last week, we successfully laid down a base layer, and this week, Alison, Caitlin and Annikki applied the finishing touches and lined the edges with smaller, finer brushes. Very satisfying work!
In the main room, Steve and Emily, our resident master flat pack builders, continued their project of constructing 4 large moving cabinets for the community centre. After a difficult first attempt last time (locating fiddly bolts and attachments is always a challenge!), our duo did a smashing job building these from scratch!
We wrapped up our evening of activities after a solid 45 minutes of assistance, and set off into the night. AA Simon and Steve ran the approx 2 miles back to Elizabeth House together, using some of Steve's knowledge of local backstreets near Seven Sisters Road (a useful contact for efficient running in Islington!), and enjoyed some refreshments and pizza at the Bank of Friendship pub as part of our monthly social.
Great job everyone! We will be heading to Thornhill Square Gardens next week. See you then!
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