"What are you? Night Cutters?"
4 Goodgymers helped their local community in Islington
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Monday 10th November
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Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
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Thank you to the random pedestrian in St Paul's Park for this gem of a title
After a wet and windy afternoon, the Goodgym Islington crew were treated to near perfect conditions for an evening of group running and cycling to The Rose Bowl Youth Club. Da Marcus, Paul and Area Activator Simon made their way up the Whistler Street alleyways, across Highbury Fields and over to Canonbury for a 1.5 mile jaunt to the task location.
Upon our arrival, we met with Dawn, one of our regular task owners, who had purchased brand new secateurs and clippers specially for our visit. The objective for the evening was to trim back the public facing side of the main hedges surrounding the Youth Club, to allow for clear paths for park users. Jasmine, thorn bushes and vines had grown extremely efficiently over the hot Summer months, and had started to go a bit crazy!
Within 50 minutes, our group had chopped away almost all of the overgrown foliage from the hedges (almost too much- we had intended to maintain some greenery behind. It will definitely grow back very quickly!). We had also successfully cleared all of the pathways of leaves and discarded branches, and prepared the debris for green recycling. Well done everyone!
To celebrate, we took a diversion back to Highbury and Islington, and stopped at the Alwyne Castle pub for refreshments and good times!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN OCTOBER / NOVEMBER
Community Mission - Maria’s Gardens 7.15pm, Maria's Gardens, near Isledon Gardens Monday 17th November
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-maria-s-gardens-isledon-gardens
Group Run - Thornhill Square Gardens - Bulb Planting 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 24th November
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-thornhill-square-gardens-bulb-planting
Community Mission - Camden Estate Community Food Gardens 7.15pm, Rowstock Gardens Monday 1st December
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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
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 13th November
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 20th November
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 27th November
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Track and Towpath - Victoria Park Reps
Thursday 13th November, 7.50am, BLAS coffee, Victoria Park
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 Lion Coffee, Burdett Road at 7.50am, before enjoying an easy jog and dynamic warm up around the Mile End Art Pavilion by 8am.
All paces and abilities welcome!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-mile-end-park-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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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 11th November:
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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 12th 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
Thursday 13th November, 10am - 12 midday:
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The Garden Classroom- Argyle Primary Forest School Gardening
Wednesday 19th November, 3pm - 5pm, Argyle Primary School, Islington
The Garden Classroom run weekly Forest School sessions in the garden at Argyle Primary School in Islington, giving essential outdoor play-based provision to the children, led by volunteer leader Eden.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-argyle-primary-forest-school-gardening
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Golden Olden Community Gardens - Monthly Volunteer Open Day
Saturday 15th November, 10am - 2pm, Opposite Whistler Street, Islington
Olden Community Garden is a charity that maintains this lovely green space, with the objective 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.
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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning
Saturday 15th November, 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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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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Islington
6 really exciting gardening sessions in Whittington Park over 2025 and 2026
