0 Month Streak
0 Month Streak
9 Month Streak
Mon 16th Sep at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon caught up with Luke, Mehmet and Louise at the Arsenal Community Hub during the golden hour- the sun was setting as we engaged in a series of dynamic warm ups in front of the Emirates Stadium. Together, we ran up Sobell Road (past the famous ice rink), along Fonthill Road (by the WB Yeates pub- named after the Irish poet) and onwards to the Light of the World Church, the home of the Lighthouse Community Project.
On route, we ran with Dan and met Eslam at the site- who was preparing the space for this evening's session. The plan is to build the green space behind the church into a community growing area for neighbouring residents, so our Goodgym crew were thrilled to get involved! Luke and Eslam began with clipping away lots of overgrown greenery surrounding the gardens using shears and standing secateurs- a time consuming job, completed with many hands! Meanwhile, Louise, Mehmet and Dan assisted with shoveling some misplaced wood and bark chippings from two large planters, and spreading the material across the back yard (helping to protect the soil and to encourage visitors to use the grass areas during the winter months).
50 minutes was the perfect duration for this task, as our trio of diggers unloaded the last of the chippings at exactly 8pm- it was meant to be! We set off back down Evershot Street together before splitting off into two groups- Area Activator Simon ran back to The Emirates Stadium, but met with Dan and Louise for food and refreshments at The Swimmer N4 to celebrate our monthly post group run socials! Well done everyone!
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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!
Thursday 19th September- Paddington Rec Track (Janice's Birthday Special)
Thursday 26th September- Stratford Olympic Park
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (September)
Saturday 21st September, 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.
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 28th September
Thornhill Square Gardens- October Workday
Saturday 5th October, 10am - midday, Thornhill Square Gardens
This is an open volunteer gardening morning set up by the Friends of Thornhill Square. As one of the largest public spaces in Islington without council maintenance assistance, extra pairs of hands for bulb planting, composting, litter picking and preparing flower beds would be hugely appreciated!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/thornhill-square-gardens-open-volunteer-morning-october
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 12th October, 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.
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 20th October, 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-october-2024
Camino Ultra London Lee Valley Eco Trail- Aid Station Superstars
Saturday 5th October, 9am onwards, Ranger's Retreat, Chingford DaznBone (aka Darren Strachan and David Bone) and the Camino Ultra team are putting together the logistics for their next 50km ultra race (running from Wanstead Flats, up the green corridor to Epping Forest and back), and have invited the Goodgym crew to get involved!
On the course, there will be 4 major aid stops, and we have been invited to take over the first refresh point and the penultimate aid station.
This will involve providing water and snacks to runners of all abilities during the key stages of their race, and to support them with smiling faces and enthusiasm!
Gait Analysis Training Session with Area Activator Simon
Wednesday 9th October, Emirates Stadium, 6.30pm
Gait analysis has been proved to be a useful tool for highlighting potential issues, making suggestions for improvement and checking efficiency in movement.
Simon would like to offer 10 Goodgymmers the opportunity to join him for a dynamic warm up and short interval session.
During the evening, recordings for forward momentum, running form and lateral stability (at different paces) will be made, and used to make suggestions for training focus or for footwear choices.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/gait-analysis-training-session-with-area-activator-simon
Goodgym Race Team Big 4- Love Luton RunFest 2024
Sunday 13th October, 8.45am onwards, Luton Town Centre
This 5k, 10k, and half marathon around the streets of Luton is a popular road race with GoodGym. Join us for this 4th and final official GoodGym race team race of 2024. Big Goodgym running crew meet up to be expected!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/love-luton-love-luton-runfest-2024
Met League Cross Country Series- Goodgym Race Team
Various locations, October 2024 - February 2025
Met League Cross Country is a set of five 7-8km races organised by London race clubs. They are held in parks and forests around London with the routes including a mixture of grass, gravel and a fair bit of mud (it is XC after all!)
Sign up to the Goodgym Race Team for £15, and enter ALL 5 RACES for the bargain price of £6!
Newbies encouraged and welcomed- the most fun you can have running over the Winter months!
Fixtures
12th October Claybury https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-claybury-3aab4cb8-8f15-4d0d-a0ed-126cdf50e85e
9th November Horsenden Hill https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country
30th November Uxbridge https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-uxbridge
11th January Welwyn Garden City https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-stanborough-park
8th February Trent Park https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-trent-park
Mon 16th Sep at 6:45pm
Continuing our gardening assistance with this smashing local centre in Stroud Green
Read moreMon 9th Sep at 7:15pm
Building a lovely new sensory garden at this great community centre
Read moreMon 26th Aug at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon met with Luke and Mehmet at the Arsenal Community Hub for a lovely Bank Holiday Monday Goodgym session. Despite the centre being closed up, the crew still made the most of a solid 1 mile run together towards Caledonian Park (last training runs for The Big Half on Sunday for Mehmet and Simon!). On route, the team bumped into Sebastian, and Goodgym Camden legends John and Jacqueline before approaching the famous Caledonian Clock Tower.
Miriam (friend of Caledonian Park) met us by the Tollacre Café- the finishing line for Cally Park Junior parkrun- and explained our project for the evening. Our plan was to use our lifting and shifting skills to wheelbarrow many loads of wood chip, top soil and re-purposed mulch from Finsbury Park to various locations in the park. The premium top soil was transported to the children's play area near the clock tower itself. And the mulch, soil and chop were wheeled across Market Road (south of the park) to Lumpy Hill Playground, into a fresh new planter and within the play area itself. Wheel barrows and former refuse trolleys were used to complete the job- we were able to leave 2 wheelbarrows full of soil at the playground ready for schoolchildren to use for planting on Tuesday morning too!
Great job everyone, see you all at Caxton House Community Centre next week!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
GROUP SESSIONS- SEPTEMBER 2024
Monday 2nd September- Caxton House Community Gardens- Group Run 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
Monday 9th September- Timbuktu Adventure Playground- Community Mission 7.15pm, Task Location
Monday 16th September- Lighthouse Community Project- Group Run 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
Monday 23rd September- Thornhill Square Gardens- Community Mission 7.15pm, Task Location
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-thornhill-square-gardens
Monday 30th September- Hornsey Rise Playground- Group Run 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-sunnyside-community-centre
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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!
Thursday 29th August- Battersea Park
Thursday 5th September- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 12th September- Emirates Stadium
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 31st August
Saturday 7th September
Thornhill Square Gardens- September Workday
Saturday 1st September, 10am - midday, Thornhill Square Gardens
This is an open volunteer gardening morning set up by the Friends of Thornhill Square. As one of the largest public spaces in Islington without council maintenance assistance, extra pairs of hands for bulb planting, composting, litter picking and preparing flower beds would be hugely appreciated!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/thornhill-square-gardens-open-volunteer-morning-september
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Arachne Turkish and Cypriot Women's Group Refurbishment Project
Tuesdays, 6.30 - 8pm, Hercules Street, Holloway Road
"Arachne has recently had a small flood! We are still seing clients, but we would really value some help to wash down our office and community room walls and windows to get ready for a refurbishment. We might need support moving some office furniture. We will also be cleaning our shop front to look more welcoming for our clients and community."
Tuesday 3rd September
Tuesday 17th September
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 14th September, 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.
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 15th September, 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-september-2024
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (September)
Saturday 21st September, 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.
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Camino Ultra London Lee Valley Eco Trail- Aid Station Superstars
Saturday 5th October, 9am onwards, Ranger's Retreat, Chingford DaznBone (aka Darren Strachan and David Bone) and the Camino Ultra team are putting together the logistics for their next 50km ultra race (running from Wanstead Flats, up the green corridor to Epping Forest and back), and have invited the Goodgym crew to get involved!
On the course, there will be 4 major aid stops, and we have been invited to take over the first refresh point and the penultimate aid station.
This will involve providing water and snacks to runners of all abilities during the key stages of their race, and to support them with smiling faces and enthusiasm!
Goodgym Race Team Big 4- Love Luton RunFest 2024
Sunday 13th October, 8.45am onwards, Luton Town Centre
This 5k, 10k, and half marathon around the streets of Luton is a popular road race with GoodGym. Join us for this 4th and final official GoodGym race team race of 2024. Big Goodgym running crew meet up to be expected!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/love-luton-love-luton-runfest-2024
Met League Cross Country Series- Goodgym Race Team
Various locations, October 2024 - February 2025
Met League Cross Country is a set of five 7-8km races organised by London race clubs. They are held in parks and forests around London with the routes including a mixture of grass, gravel and a fair bit of mud (it is XC after all!)
Sign up to the Goodgym Race Team for £15, and enter ALL 5 RACES for the bargain price of £6!
Newbies encouraged and welcomed- the most fun you can have running over the Winter months!
Fixtures
12th October Claybury https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-claybury-3aab4cb8-8f15-4d0d-a0ed-126cdf50e85e
9th November Horsenden Hill https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country
30th November Uxbridge https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-uxbridge
11th January Welwyn Garden City https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-stanborough-park
8th February Trent Park https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-trent-park
Mon 26th Aug at 6:45pm
The Friends of Caledonian Park have asked our team to help with laying new paths following the Clocktower festival
Read moreMon 5th Aug at 6:15pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On warm summer's Monday evening (a bit earlier than usual!), our Goodgym crew met outside the Arsenal Community Hub, ready to help put at a smashing community food bank task. Area Activator Simon led a short dynamic warm up on the Emirates Slopes (with 5 regular GG runners, and first timer Lara- welcome!), before running approximately 1.2 miles together. We tackled Highbury Hill, and enjoyed a decent descent down to Hurlock Street, ready with the team at this busy local food project.
The volunteers at Elizabeth House Food Hub operate a system that allows anyone in the neighbourhood to join a scheme, and visit a supermarket style space to collect donated and organically grown food. Goodgym Islington joined in by taking pre-prepared delivery bundles for residents who are unable to physically visit the food hub on their own (elderly neighbours, families, those with limited mobility for example). We separated into groups to drop off the parcels, after ringing each of the residents in advance.
Following the final orders from the food bank, we then helped the team with clearing up for the next days activities. Crates of canned goods and hardy vegetables where taken back to the kitchen area, and all surfaces were cleaned and disassembled. Any perishable food was offered to any volunteers on hand, so we had the chance to run home with plenty of bread rolls, leafy greens, peppers and cherry tomatoes grown locally!
Fantastic efforts everyone- we will return to Elizabeth House on Monday 19th August (6.15pm Arsenal Community Hub, 6.30pm Elizabeth House)
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 8th August- Stratford Olympic Park
Thursday 15th August- Green Park
Thursday 22nd August- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 29th August- Battersea 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
POST GROUP SESSION SOCIAL- Area Activator Simon celebrates 5 years!
Monday 12th August, 8.45pm, Someday Canteen, Finsbury Park
Area Activator Simon (formerly Trainer Simon) began leading sessions for Goodgym Islington 5 years ago, taking the reins from Goodgym legend Paul Bown (still active in GG Sheffield).
We invite you for good food, excellent refreshments and fun times at Someday Canteen. A pleasant 20 min walk from The Arsenal Community Hub, after our scheduled task!
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 3rd August
Saturday 10th August
Saturday 17th August
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 18th August, 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!
Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 25th August, 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.
Camino Ultra London Lee Valley Eco Trail- Aid Station Superstars
Saturday 5th October, 9am onwards, Ranger's Retreat, Chingford DaznBone (aka Darren Strachan and David Bone) and the Camino Ultra team are putting together the logistics for their next 50km ultra race (running from Wanstead Flats, up the green corridor to Epping Forest and back), and have invited the Goodgym crew to get involved!
On the course, there will be 4 major aid stops, and we have been invited to take over the first refresh point and the penultimate aid station.
This will involve providing water and snacks to runners of all abilities during the key stages of their race, and to support them with smiling faces and enthusiasm!
Goodgym Race Team Big 4- Love Luton RunFest 2024
Sunday 13th October, 8.45am onwards, Luton Town Centre
This 5k, 10k, and half marathon around the streets of Luton is a popular road race with GoodGym. Join us for this 4th and final official GoodGym race team race of 2024. Big Goodgym running crew meet up to be expected!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/love-luton-love-luton-runfest-2024
Mon 5th Aug at 6:15pm
This wonderfully busy community food hub has asked our crew to help out with neighbourhood deliveries!
Read moreMon 29th Jul at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
After a baking hot summer's day, Area Activator Simon was glad to feel some breeze and a bit of shade before this evening's group run to Timbuktu Adventure Playground near Hornsey Rise. Mehmet, Faye, Louise and Paul joined Simon for a warm up on the Emirates Stadium slopes, before chatty running up Sussex Way, and to Grenville Road. Upon our arrival, we met with Emre, Dan, Lucy and Alison, but found that the main access gate was locked up.
Literally 30 seconds later, Eslam appeared around the corner, pedalling a cargo bike full of tools borrowed from Sunnyside Gardens on Elthorne Road. We cracked on with our evening's tasks! Objective one was to use shovels and forks to turn over the bark chippings that lay around the adventure playground. Mixing the bark with soft soil allows the surface to be softer and more protective in case of a child falling off the play equipment. A big job that needs to be done regularly in the summer months- greatly aided by many Goodgym hands!
Objective two involved giving all of the pathways and play area a really good weeding, as vines, bushes and saplings had started to grow wild with the summer heat and rainfall. Louise, Faye and Alison did a smashing job of removing huge piles of green waste (including some hardy potatoes that found their way into the wood chip!). Eslam made us feel very welcome with offers of water while working, and even the opportunity to take home some freshly grown bamboo from the local gardens!
Well done everyone. Fantastic work on a super sunny evening!
And a special Thank You to Emre for joining us for his final Monday evening Goodgym session before he returns home to Cyprus. It was been a pleasure to meet you, and we really appreciate your efforts and awesome attitude! See you soon, we hope!
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 1st August- Arsenal Emirates Stadium
Thursday 8th August- Stratford Olympic Park
Thursday 15th August- Green Park
Thursday 22nd August- Paddington Rec Track
--------‐-------------------------------
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
POST GROUP SESSION SOCIAL- Area Activator Simon celebrates 5 years!
Monday 12th August, 8.45pm, Someday Canteen, Finsbury Park
Area Activator Simon (formerly Trainer Simon) began leading sessions for Goodgym Islington 5 years ago, taking the reins from Goodgym legend Paul Bown (still active in GG Sheffield).
We invite you for good food, excellent refreshments and fun times at Someday Canteen. A pleasant 20 min walk from The Arsenal Community Hub, after our scheduled task!
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 3rd August
Saturday 10th August
Saturday 17th August
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 18th August, 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!
Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 25th August, 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.
Mon 29th Jul at 6:45pm
Helping to contribute to the upkeep of this wonderful children's playground
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