Monday 16th June
SESSION ORGANISER
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Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
4 Goodgymmers joined Area Activator Simon for our Goodgym Islington group run to The Rose Bowl youth club last night. Despite the very warm weather, our team ran 5km + to and from the Arsenal Community Hub, across Highbury Fields and towards St Paul's Way.
The Rose Bowl has been an active community hub in the Canonbury borough since 1978, operating as a food hub and an after hours children's centre too. As we arrived at the site, our Goodgym group were introduced to a room full of teachers, community leaders and charity representatives. Area Activator Simon briefly pitched Goodgym as a concept, before heading put to the main playground area at the back of the centre.
Firstly, we picked up rakes and brushes to sweep up all of the paths around the playground (particularly the pebbles that led to a covered play house). Next, we set about gathering as much litter from the surrounding grounds as possible (plenty of rubbish brought in by the wind, scattered in fences and near bushes).
To finish off our evening, we pitched in with removing some nettles from the pathways (very carefully), and weeding the brickwork and walled areas to make the space look neat and tidy. We received loads of praise from the visitors to the youth club, who were very impressed with our quick and efficient work!
Well done everyone. See you for a group run to Highbury Quadrant Estate next Monday!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN JUNE AND JULY
Group Run- Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 23rd June
Group Run- Light of the World Church Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 30th June
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-light-of-the-world-church-gardening-project
Community Mission- Hornsey Rise Kickabout Playground, 7.15pm, Hornsey Rise, Monday 7th July
Community Mission- Timbuktu Adventure Playground 7.15pm, Grenville Road, Islington, Monday 14th July
Group Run- Isledon Gardens Nature Trail 6.45pm, Isledon Gardens, Parkside Crescent, Monday 21st July
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-isledon-gardens-nature-trail
Community Mission- Highbury Quadrant Estate 7.15pm, Highbury Quadrant Estate, Monday 28th July
Group Run- Market Road Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 4th August
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-market-road-gardens-with-elizabeth-house
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Post Group Run Social - June 2025
8.30pm, Tollington Way Monday 23rd June
Delicious Thai food from a great local pub- hosted after our group run to Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-run-social-the-tollington-arms-arsenal
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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!
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 19th June
Hyde Park Summer Session Thursday 26th June
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 3rd July
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 10th July
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Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 17th June, 12.45 - 1.15pm, Elizabeth House
On Tuesday afternoons, during term time, the team at Elizabeth House Food Hub have requested for an extra pair of hands to help with cleaning and tidying up their donation centre.
Expect some satisfying sweeping and surface cleaning to assist this busy team!
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Green Guardians Spring Sessions
The Garden Classroom, Newington Green
Wednesday 18th June
Wednesday 25th June
Saturday 28th June
Wednesday 2nd July
Wednesday 9th July
Wednesday 16th July
Saturday 26th July
Next session:
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Market Road Gardens
Tuesday 17th June
Tuesday 24th June
Tuesday 1st July
Tuesday 8th July
Tuesday 15th July
Next Session:
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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (June)
Saturday 21st June, 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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Golden Olden Community Gardens - Monthly Volunteer Open Day
Saturday 21st June, 10am - 2pm, Opposite Whistler Street, Islington
Olden Community Garden is a charity that maintains this lovely green space, with the object to promote a community garden for the benefit of people living or working in the London Borough of Islington. Olden Garden gives local people opportunities for education and recreation, with the aim of increasing involvement in the community and reducing isolation.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/golden-olden-community-gardens-monthly-volunteer-open-day
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Penn Road Gardens - June Volunteer Day Sunday 29th June, 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/happenings/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-june-9e600c77-b5a5-4aa8-abeb-c47ddf68b57d
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Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 12th July, 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.
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Islington
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