Bamboo-zled at Timbuktu Adventure Playground

10 Goodgymers helped their local community in Islington
Mehmet
Emre Sasmacioglu
Eslam Mohamed Mohamed Ahmed
Dan Dunn
Lucy Thomas
Simon Fitzmaurice
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Islington

Monday 29th July

Credits
Mehmet
Mehmet

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Barnet runner

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York runner

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Simon Fitzmaurice
Simon Fitzmaurice

SESSION ORGANISER

Islington runner

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Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice

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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

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-106d8484-2ef2-4a3e-9b1c-13684aa1c4e3

Thursday 8th August- Stratford Olympic Park

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-d0e1a373-9592-4701-953b-5a33d22f4b23

Thursday 15th August- Green Park

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-green-park-summer-session-3bdd5a01-f34a-44b4-a12f-36c8fe57d9c9

Thursday 22nd August- Paddington Rec Track

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-1034b042-aef0-4831-92c4-094c60286bb6

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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

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-newington-green-volunteer-morning-515e54d3-28e0-49c4-b109-5abc2abafad7


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!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-session-social-area-activator-simon-celebrates-5-years


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

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/highbury-quadrant-greening-with-elizabeth-house-2893e5e8-83e8-438a-8712-85c1d173aee6

Saturday 10th August

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/highbury-quadrant-greening-with-elizabeth-house-717f87f0-a15d-4e8d-a323-6fe66118ae34

Saturday 17th August

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/highbury-quadrant-greening-with-elizabeth-house-7beaf441-bb17-4a08-80c1-afbefaee0a08


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!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-july-2024-9cb2ba41-da8c-4767-82f0-b45b21eb303c


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.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-august-b86c1aad-1108-4b01-aaef-ac9be1426496



This task supported
Turning Barking For Timbuktu Adventure Playground
Helping the turning of the barks which are created the whole playground. Basically the bark on the ground needs turning otherwise it gets too compacted and it's not great for the kids

It's a charity that offers free playgroups and activities for children during after-school and holiday terms

See more

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Join us on our next session

Islington

COMMUNITY MISSION- Return Trip to Timbuktu Adventure Playground
🗓Tomorrow 7:15pm

Helping to contribute to the upkeep of this wonderful children's playground

Eslam Mohamed Mohamed AhmedSally
2 GoodGymers are going