Shining Lights in a Dark Park!
7 Goodgymers helped their local community in Islington
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Monday 24th November
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Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
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On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon, Da Marcus and returning Goodgymmer Frankie enjoyed a nice run across Holloway Road, and down to Thornhill Square Gardens, despite the chilly weather conditions!
Upon our arrival, we met with resident gardening expert Anna McKane, who had prepared a series of tasks for our team of 7. Our top priority for the session was to move a pile of donated wood chip over to the flower beds around the perimeter of the park, using shovels and wheelbarrows. The objective was to provide additional protection for the new bulbs trying to grow over the winter months.
Our second team used rakes and forks to clear away fallen leaves from around the lovely ancient trees to the North of the park. The leaf fall provides a great habitat for green moths, which are unfortunately invasive and harmful to the trees. The plan is to keep them at bay as much as possible!
Within our 50 minutes of lifting and shifting, we successfully cleared the wood chip pile, and had packed up 3 full builder's merchant bags of green waste, ready for the council collection in the morning. Well done everyone!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
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SESSIONS IN DECEMBER
Community Mission - Camden Estate Community Food Gardens 7.15pm, Rowstock Gardens Monday 1st December
Group Run - Caledonian Park Winter Path Building (1), 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 7th December
Community Mission - Caledonian Park Winter Path Building (2), 7.15pm, Caledonian Park, Market Road Monday 15th December
Group Run - Festive Fleet Street Quarter Snoopy Trail, 6.45pm, St Paul's Cathedral Monday 22nd December
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/wild-in-art-fleet-street-quarter-snoopy-trail
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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!
NOVEMBER
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 27th November
Paddington Recreation Track, Maida Vale Thursday 4th December
Emirates Stadium, Arsenal Tube Thursday 11th December
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 18th December
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Track and Towpath - Stepney Green Strides
Thursday 27th November, 7.50am, Rinkoff Bakery, Stepney Green
Come and join Area Activator and UK Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) Simon for a fun mixed pace training session
Our plan is to meet up outside Rinkoff Bakery, Stepney Green at 7.50am, before enjoying an easy jog and dynamic warm up around the Stepney Green Park by 8am.
All paces and abilities welcome!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-stepney-green-workout
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Track and Towpath - Xmas Bouldering Special!
Thursday 4th December, 7.50am, Mile End Climbing Wall
As a celebration for a busy 2025 with Track and Towpath Run Group, we are planning on closing up for Xmas with a special trip to Mile End Climbing Wall.
Just £5 for an off-peak climbing session, open to boulderers of all abilities! Followed by coffee and snacks at the café.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-mile-end-climbing-wall-xmas-special
(Strava group link)
https://strava.app.link/jZ0J8GD9NXb
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Goodgym Islington Social (December) - Angel Comedy Club, Camden Head
Tuesday 9th December, 7.30pm, Camden Head Pub, Angel
A celebration of Goodgym fun over 2025, with a trip to the famous Camden Head pub in Angel, host to stand up comedy and fresh sketches, 7 days a week.
Come on down for refreshments, food and a nice catch up before the Xmas holidays!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/gg-islington-social-december-angel-comedy-club-camden-head
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The Green Guardians Volunteer Gardening Sessions
Tuesdays (and a single Saturday) 10am - 12 midday
Market Road Gardens, London N7 9GT
Come along and meet the TGC team and help us to keep Market Road Gardens looking beautiful! All tools provided. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Tea, coffee and biscuits also provided.
Winter Dates
September 16th, 23rd, 30th
October 7th, 14th, 21st (not 28th!)
November 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
December 2nd, 9th and 16th
Next session
Tuesday 2nd December:
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The Green Guardians Volunteer Gardening Sessions
Wednesdays (and one single Saturday) 10am - 12 midday
TGC Hut, Newington Green Park Building, 2 Newington Green, London, N1 4RF
Come along and meet the TGC team and help us to keep Newington Green tidy and lovely!
All tools provided. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Tea, coffee and biscuits also provided.
Winter Dates
September - 17th, 24th, and Saturday 27th
October- 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd
November- 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
December- 3rd, 10th and 17th
Next Session
Wednesday 26th November
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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
Thursday 16th Oct 2025, 10am to 12pm ; planting native wildflower
Thursday 13th Nov 2026,10am to 12pm ; planting native bulbs
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 6th January, 10am - 12 midday:
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Penn Road Gardens - Volunteer Day
Sunday 30th November, 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.
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Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 13th December, 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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Elizabeth House Food Hub - Xmas Supplies Prep
Tuesday 16th December, 12.30 - 1.30pm, Elizabeth House Food Hub, Hurlock Street
The team at Elizabeth House Food Hub have requested for an extra pair of hands to help with preparing up the donation centre.
As the holidays are approaching, the centre will be expecting more visitors to make use of this vital service. Your help is invaluable!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/elizabeth-house-food-hub-xmas-supplies-prep
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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning
Saturday 20th December, 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.
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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