Wed 24th Apr at 6:15pm
Camden Report written by Alex Murtough (he/him)
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!!!
Wed 24th Apr at 6:15pm
The Story Garden is a gorgeous community space by King's Cross, and we'll be making a big difference removing raised beds, planters, and tables as they prepare to move things over to a new community site!
Read moreTuesday 23rd April
Faye Clarke been to three different GoodGym areas.
A Tourist likes nothing better than exploring new areas and meeting new people, and that's what Faye has been doing. Faye has been to three different GoodGym areas now - nice!
Wed 17th Apr at 6:30pm
Waltham Forest Report written by Alexandra Iseghohi
Another physical session at the Trencherfield Allotments, moving the tree branches out of the way of the paths for the the regular users.
This week we were facing thicker, longer and more tangled branches than we ever had before, with the bottom layer posing a particular challenge. However, after a few whacks to the face from errant twigs, we got the hang of the twist/pull motion we needed to ensure success.
And successful we were! After a few back and forth trips, we had created an impressive pile of garden waste well shielded from the necessary path and were able to call it an evening. Despite being unable to run to the task due to a small (embarrassing) injury, Dan and Faye were able to get a run in on the way home!
Wed 17th Apr at 6:30pm
Helping to make the move tree stumps to make the allotment more accessible for users on a weekly basis
Read moreMon 8th Apr at 6:00pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Early on Monday evening (a rare 6pm start!), 5 Goodgymmers met with Area Activator Simon outside Arsenal Underground station. Together, we walked together down Gillespie Road, and over to Elizabeth House Food Hub on Hurlock Street- a busy "supermarket style" community food bank for the Highbury and Arsenal boroughs.
The Easter holidays often affects the availability for regular helpers at the food hub- families and those with dependents may find themselves unable to attend the "supermarket" in person as well. So Goodgym Islington have been maintaining a frequent connection with this essential centre, offering assistance over holiday months. The hub was in full flow when we arrived, but Roshni and the crew had set up a series of pre-prepared drop off locations for supplies and essentials. Including a special Easter Egg for a former volunteer and visitor over in Highbury Hill!
Emre and Dan took on a collection of deliveries around Twyford House, on the estate, while Charlotte and Faye ventured further into the borough (past the former Arsenal stadium complex!). Upon the return of our Goodgymmers, the food hub had started to close down for the night. So we all pitched in to move non-perishable food and supplies back into the kitchens and on to shelving. All perishable items were then composted or offered to any hungry volunteers (lots of allotment grown rhubarb, celery and mushrooms were taken home!).
A wonderful evening had by all. Well done everyone!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
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Caxton House Community Centre Sensory Garden Building
Monday 15th April, 6.45pm, Archway Underground station
We have been invited back to Caxton House to lend a hand with their new sensory garden project. Lifting, shifting and digging to be expected. But other lighter tasks are also available as well!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-session-caxton-house-sensory-garden-building
And following our group session, we will enjoy our monthly social:
Post Group Session Social- The Archway Tavern
Monday 15th April, 8.45pm, Archway Tavern
Excellent refreshments and good times kn Navigator Square, Archway!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-session-social-the-archway-tavern
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 11th April- Emirates Stadium (Arsenal tube station)
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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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Compton Terrace Gardens Volunteer Open Morning - April
Saturday 13th April, 10am - 1pm, Union Chapel
Monthly community gardening mornings with the Friends of Compton Terrace Gardens.
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
London Heathside AC Track Busting Volunteer Afternoon!
Saturday 13th April, 2pm - 6pm, Finsbury Park Track
Call out for volunteers to spend a few hours 2- 6pm Saturday 13th April (the weather forecast predicts a scorcher) helping to get the track ready for the season ahead.
Come prepared for some manual labour, a bit of banter with club mates, afternoon tea and the satisfaction that you have helped your club keep this invaluable facility going - it is largely run by a small band of dedicated volunteers.
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/london-heathside-running-club-track-busters-volunteer-session
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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!
Mon 8th Apr at 6:00pm
This wonderfully busy community food hub has asked our crew to help out with neighbourhood deliveries!
Read moreWednesday 3rd April
Faye Clarke has done their first good deed with GoodGym.
Faye is a now a fully fledged GoodGym runner. They've just run to do good for the first time. They are out there making amazing things happen and getting fit at the same time.
Wednesday 3rd April
Faye Clarke completed their first run in a new area.
Curious? Faye has just run their first session in another area. For that explorative spirit Faye is awarded the scout badge. A Scout is trustworthy
Wed 3rd Apr at 6:15pm
Camden Report written by Alex Murtough (he/him)
It was yesterday evening. I made tea. I sat on my bed. I opened my computer and went to YouTube.
how to DIY fill hole in wall
This was what I searched, folks. I was still scarred from my last attempt at using polyfilla. Which was 20 minutes before the check-out-scary-inventory-deposit-reducing-meeting at my last rental. They took the deposit, folks, they took it to do the holes again.
Yet... this evening was different! And certainly because I was surrounded by the wonderful Alice, Faye(who was on their first GoodGym good deed - congrats!!), Jackie, John, Liz, and Steve.
We'd grasped the spring worm this evening, enjoying the longer light to traverse the bustle between Barbican and the Brady Arts and Community Centre, where our task awaited us.
Social Action for Health are a gorgeous charity working within the community in Tower Hamlets, and they need their volunteer room at the Brady spruced and enlivened, and we'll be doing just that over the coming weeks.
Our task this evening was to get the ball rolling, which we did by removing brackets from yesteryear and filling their left-behind holes.
This group took the tasks and ran with them to completion. Amidst a setting twilight, this room became a happy space filled with screwdrivers, pliers, hole filler, putty knives, and hoovers. And 40 minutes later, we'd gotten this space a short span away from being ready to paint.
Thanks, everyone, I had the most wonderful evening, and you made a real difference this evening.
Nice one!
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