Leaf-ing Timbuktu Adventure Playground in Great Shape!
9 Goodgymers helped their local community in Islington
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Monday 27th October
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Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
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After the changeable weather over the weekend, our Goodgym crew were greeted to a pleasant balmy Autumn evening, ready for a group run from the Arsenal Community Hub. Together, we engaged in a series of dynamic warm up drills before running up Hornsey Road, and over to the awesome Timbuktu Adventure Playground on Grenville Road (1.2 miles point to point). Great to catch up with new starter Ryan, new Taskforce member Louis and returning Goodgymmer Erayna on the run, and Thank you to Alice for expert back marking!
Upon our arrival, we met with Eslam at the entrance of the playground, armed with rakes, forks and shovels. Our objective for the evening was to turn as much of the wood chip surface surrounding the climbing frames, swings and trampolines as possible- targeting areas where children will play after school. The process of turning the wood chip helps to bring more oxygen to the soil, and to create safer landing spots of the kids at play.
Our second job involved gathering as many fallen leaves as possible from the play area, while filtering the wood chip from the debris. Our team collected up the green waste in 4 large builder's merchant bags, and succeeded in filling them within our 50 minutes of assistance. Well done everyone!
Great job to all of our Goodgymmers tonight. Check out the rest of our opportunities for tasks, training sessions and socials below!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN OCTOBER / NOVEMBER
Community Mission - Sunnyside Community Gardens, 7.15pm, Monday 3rd November
Group Run - Rose Bowl Youth Club Green Graft! 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 10th November
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-rose-bowl-youth-club-green-graft
Community Mission - TBC 7.15pm, Islington Location Monday 17th November
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
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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!
OCTOBER
Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 30th October
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 6th November
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Track and Towpath - Victoria Park Reps
Thursday 16th October, 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 BLAS Coffee, Victoria Park cafe at 7.50am, before enjoying an easy jog and dynamic warm up around the South side of Victoria Park by 8am.
All paces and abilities welcome!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/track-and-towpath-victoria-park-reps
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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 4th 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 5th 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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Penn Road Gardens - Volunteer Day
Sunday 2nd November, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens
(Rescheduled from Sunday 26th October)
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 8th November, 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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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 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.
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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.
This task supported
Helping the turning of the barks which are created the whole playground. Basically the bark on the ground needs turning otherwise it gets too compacted and it's not great for the kids
It's a charity that offers free playgroups and activities for children during after-school and holiday terms
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