How many Goodgymmers does it take to plant some light bulbs?
11 Goodgymers helped their local community in Islington
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Monday 13th November 2023
Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
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Area Activator Simon met up with a bumper team of 11 Goodgymmers at Arsenal Community Hub last night (including first timers Daniel and Maggie- welcome to you both!). After a full dynamic warm up on the Emirates Stadium slopes, we ran together (with Adam following us on his bike) over to the wonderful Thornhill Square Gardens (about 1.4 miles total, along Mackenzie Road).
After distributing head torches and gardening gloves, we met up with Anna, one of the residential gardening champions of Thornhill Square. Our task for the evening was to dig up an abundance of holes within the rose bushes of this public green space with forks, spades and hand trowels. Once an 8 inch hole had been dug, we would fill the holes with about10 new narcissus bulbs each.
Daniel and Louise took it in turns to bring wood chip to to spread across these newly cultivated beds, to keep these little bulbs safe from wandering dogs and hungry birds over the Winter months. Sarah and Patricia did a smashing job of preparing their own gardening spot, around a dead head fence created during one of our previous Goodgym Islington group runs earlier this year!
After about 40 minutes of digging, planting, wheel barrowing and bark spreading, we packed up out tools back in the community shed in the centre of the park, and bode Anna farewell until next time. Hopefully we can return to see our bulbs growing in Spring! We completed our session with a trip to The Swimmer, at The Grafton Arms for our November social, enjoying refreshments and delicious food on a gorgeous autumnal evening. Well done everyone!
Goodgym Islington News
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS)- November 2023
Sunday 19th November, 11-1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park
Our monthly woodland regeneration session with the CREOS volunteering team. Forest path building followed by a smashing picnic with Crouch End locals!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-november-2023
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Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions- Emirates Stadium
Thursday 23rd November, 6pm, Arsenal Underground station
Every Thursday, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location. This week, we will be meeting up at Arsenal tube station, ready to run around the Emirates Stadium concourse. Open to runners and guides of all abilities! Follow the link to find out more:
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GG Race Team- Met League Hill Training Session! - November
Friday 24th November, 6.30pm, Pembroke Castle, Camden
A monthly hill training group run session led by Goodgymmer and CIRF Simon. All abilities Kenyan Hills running over at Primrose Hill, in preparation for our next cross country fitness at Uxbridge!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/gg-race-team-met-league-hill-training-session-november
Simon's 200th parkrun (& 100th volunteer shift!) @ Mile End parkrun
Saturday 25th November, 8.45am, Mile End stadium
Join Area Activator Simon for his 200th parkrun at Mile End, and his 100th volunteer shift! We will head to the lovely Yurt Café in Limehouse afterwards for breakfast, hot drinks and good times!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/simon-s-200th-parkrun-100th-volunteer-shift-mile-end-parkrun
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Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day- November 2023
Sunday 26th November, 10-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-november
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Met League Cross Country - Uxbridge
Saturday 2nd December, 12 midday, Hillingdon Athletics Stadium
Run with GoodGym for some cross country racing- the 3rd fixture of the amazing Met League season. Approximately 7-8 km of muddy fun, open to all!
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Freightliner's Farm Sunday Special- December
Sunday 3rd December, 11.30-1pm, Sheringham Road, Islington
We are so happy to be invited back to the wonderful Freightliner's Farm just off Paradise Park for our first regular weekend volunteering day!
The team will be on hand to offer some animal friendly tasks around the site.
Sign up here:
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/freightliner-s-farm-sunday-special
Session Leader
This task supported
A quiet oasis off Caledonian Road with plenty of space to picnic, rest, read, and walk a dog.
'A quiet oasis off Caledonian Road. Plenty of space (it is the largest square in Islington) to picnic, rest, read, admire the flowers shrubs and trees, and walk a dog. Volunteers, with the council are working to encourage healthy activities, including walking and yoga, and also to improve the diversity of wildlife in the park.'
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Islington
The Friends of Caledonian Park have asked our team to help with laying new bark chip for healthy plants!
