Mighty Mulch Movers
3 Goodgymers helped their local community in Islington
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Monday 26th January
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Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
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On a pleasantly bright Monday evening (the Spring is coming!), Area Activator Simon met with Matt and first timer Juliane for a classic Goodgym community session in Thornhill Square Gardens. Resident gardening expert Anna was present and ready to meet our crew, and we fetched wheelbarrows, spades and forks from the community tool shed for our task.
Tree surgeons around the Islington borough were nice enough to donate 3 large mounds of wood chippings to the gardens, and our objective was to move and spread as much on plant beds as possible within an hour. Between the three of us, we did a smashing job covering the majority of the East side of the park, offering protection for new bulbs over the Winter months.
Well done everyone! See you next week for our group run session at Highbury Quadrant Estate gardens!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
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SESSIONS IN JANUARY / FEBRUARY
Group Run - Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens Monday 2nd February, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
Community Mission - Timbuktu Adventure Playground Monday 9th February, 7.15pm, Timbuktu Adventure Playground, Grenville Road
Community Mission - Everleigh Gardens Monday 16th February, 7.15pm Everleigh Street Open Space, Finsbury Park
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-everleigh-gardens-compost-turning-heroes
Community Mission - Sunnyside Community Gardens Week 1 Monday 23rd February, 7.15pm Sunnyside Community Gardens
Community Mission - Sunnyside Community Gardens Week 2 Monday 2nd March, 7.15pm Sunnyside Community Gardens
Community Mission - Friends of Graham Street (FROGS) Monday 9th March, 7.15pm Graham Street Gardens, Islington
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-friends-of-graham-street-park-frogs
Community Mission - Light of the World Church Monday 16th March, 7.15pm Evershot Road, Stroud Green
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The Green Runners x Preloved Sports Running Kit Swap
Tuesday 27th January, 7.30 - 9pm, The Horatia, Holloway Road
Do you have sports kit that doesn't get used as much as it could?
Or would you prefer to keep your lovely nice running shoes ready for race day, and have a spare pair for Goodgym tasks?
Simon from Goodgym Islington will be hosting an evening for swapping or donating your used running kit for those who need it.
All items can be swapped with participants and sign ups, and anything left over can be taken home or offered to Preloved Sports, an organisation dedicated to keeping sports kit out of landfill.
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Goodgym Social & Area Activator Simon’s Last Session
Monday 2nd February, 8.30pm, The Tollington Arms, Islington
After 6.5 years, Area Activator Simon will be hosting his final group run session with Goodgym Islington this evening.
After our group run to Highbury Quadrant Estate, we will be making a trip to the award winning local pub, The Tollington Arms, less than 200m away from our bag drop location on Benwell Road!
As well as offering excellent refreshments, the pub has been well known for offering delicious Thai food with loads of varied dietary and vegan options available!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sign-up/aa-simon-s-last-session-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!
JANUARY / FEBRUARY
Emirates Stadium (Arsenal underground) Thursday 29th January, 6pm
Stratford Olympic Park (Stratford underground station Westfield exit) Thursday 5th February, 6pm
Emirates Stadium (Arsenal underground) Thursday 12th February, 6pm
Paddington Rec Track (Maida Vale underground) Thursday 19th February, 6pm
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Track and Towpath - January Challenge Edition!
Come and join Area Activator and UK Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) Simon for a fun mixed pace training session
Over the month of January, Simon will be hosting a weekly morning running workouts in various parks in the Islington and Tower Hamlets boroughs.
All paces and abilities welcome!
The intention is to build up fitness together towards the Runthrough Victoria Park 10km on Sunday 1st February.
Thursday 29th January 7.50am, Mile End Climbing Wall, Meath Gardens
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-january-challenge-meath-gardens-kilometres
Runthrough Victoria Park 10km Event!
Sunday 1st February, 9am, Victoria Park
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-runthrough-victoria-park-10km-february-2026
(Strava group link)
https://strava.app.link/3aQu4W5ISYb
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Green Guardians- Whittington Park Sessions
Tuesday and Thursday morning sessions, Whittington Park, Archway
We have six really interesting gardening session happening at Whittington Park. We'll be planting native wild flowers, hedging and bulbs, creating a stumper and planting fruit trees.
These are relaxed friendly sessions where the emphasis is on spending time outside in nature, whilst learning and sharing skills and meeting new people.
The sessions are free and open to all, though under 16's must be with a responsible adult. No experience is needed. We provide tools, gloves, guidance and refreshments.
Session Dates
Tuesday 6th Jan 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Orchard tree planting with the Orchard Project (with optional free volunteers lunch at 1pm)
Tuesday 13th Jan 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Wildlife hedge planting
Tuesday 20th Jan, 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Loggery habitat creation
Tuesday 27th Jan, 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Loggery habitat creation
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Next session
Tuesday 27th January, 10am - 12 midday:
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Golden Olden Community Gardens - (Monthly Open Volunteer Morning)
Saturday 21st February, 10am - 2pm, Olden Community Garden, 22 Whistler Street, Islington
A two-acre oasis of greenery in Islington, north London.
The volunteer-run Charity – Olden Community Garden – maintains the garden, 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.
Open gardening day every Third Saturday of the month.
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Canonbury Square Gardens - Monthly Volunteer Gardening Morning
Saturday 21st February, 10am - 12 midday, Canonbury Square, Islington
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. Bringing gloves and appropriate working clothes would be recommended.
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Penn Road Gardens Monthly Open Volunteer Morning
Sunday 22nd February, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens, Islington
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.
Local volunteers will be on hand to direct anyone who arrives to offer their help between 10am- midday. Come on down to enjoy a lovely morning community task!
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Camino Ultra London- Lea Valley Races Finish Line Party!
Saturday 21st March, 11am - 7pm (approx), Echo Building, Hackney Bridge
The Camino Ultra London 50km returns for 2025, stretching from Welwyn Garden City, to Ware, and then down the Lea Valley to our finishing line in Hackney Wick (Hackney Bridge Halls).
A second race called the Gratitude 25km will be run at the same time as the classic 50km. A top challenge for London runners and potential trail addicts to test themselves in their own backyard!
Race organisers Darren Strachan and David Bone aka DaznBone would love to invite the Goodgym community back to bring excitement and positivity to our runners, as they finish their races.
The theme is: Bring The Party!!!
Cowbells, cheers, noise makers, music and fun!
The first finishers are likely to be approaching the finish line by midday, but our last runners may be out until 7pm.
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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