On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon caught up with 7 other Goodgym runners from Islington, Hackney and Harringey over at the Emirates Stadium (avoiding a day of sporadic showers). Many of us had started our advent calendars on the run up to Christmas (in Caitlin's case, she had started 5 advent calendars, along with her housemates!), and are glad to be out for another Goodgym group run before the Christmas break (mark down our Xmas post-run social in your calendar! More details below!). Together, we engaged in a quality warm up on the Emirates slopes, before heading up and over Whistler Street and through Highbury Fields.

We arrived at The Rose Bowl Youth Club in ample time and met with Dawn, the resident coordinator for the centre, who was thrilled to see us. The team at the youth club were busy with Xmas parties and football games in the playground, but were very happy to have a Goodgym trip in for the evening!

Our main task was to clear up tonnes of leaves from the surrounding paths and the entrance ways of the centre, using wheelbarrows, rakes and leaf grabbing claws. Between us, we filled an entire building merchant sack full of leaves (after compacting the foliage down by tramping it all under foot), and dropped any excess leaves in the designated composting point. Five of us successfully dragged this very heavy bag back to the green refuse point at the entrance of the centre- a job that would have been very tough for the regular volunteer team. Smashing work, everyone!

Together, we made our way back across the borough (a 5km round trip), and enjoyed the long slopes back to the Emirates Stadium. Top job all!

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Goodgym Islington News

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The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!

Various parks and gardens on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.

The Garden Classroom has started multiple weekly open garden mornings in Newington Green, Market Road and Hillside Park (near Caxton House). Set up by trained horticulture specialists and open to all!

Newington Green Next Wednesday- 10am - midday

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/the-garden-classroom-newington-green-volunteer-morning-ad7bf497-2340-409b-a472-dc772f82b84b

Hillside Gardens, Caxton House Next Thursday- 10am - midday https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-hillside-park-volunteer-morning-28df9ad4-5f3d-4b50-8a57-ce5ef93327ec

Market Road Gardens Next Friday- 10am - midday

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-market-road-gardens-volunteer-morning-34898da9-ff06-4f4e-9f74-9d949f31b2c5

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Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions- Emirates Stadium

Thursday 7th December, 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:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-1568f170-ece8-47a0-bc34-e4c96f423bb7

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GoodGym London - Christmas Social Celebrate the festive season with other GoodGymers

Thursday 14th December, 18.30 onwards, The Rocket, Euston

It's the festive edition of monthly drinks in London. Come and meet other GoodGymers and toast each others achievements.

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/goodgym-london-christmas-social?legacy=true

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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (December Xmas Special!)

Saturday 16th December, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens

Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task! This will be the December Xmas special too, so come and enjoy some festivities!

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/friends-of-canonbury-square-volunteer-morning-december-xmas-special

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Goodgym Islington’s Final Group Run and Social of 2024!

Monday 18th December, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub

On the last group run of the year, Area Activator Simon will be leading a festive run to just a few of Islington's 121 green spaces (as listed by The Garden Classroom). Our objective is to try and record a visit to each one by the end of the January challenge!

And afterwards, we are going to enjoy a social visit to Non Vietnamese, Holloway Road for delicious soup, noodles and refreshments!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-christmas-tour-of-islington

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-run-social-december-non-vietnamese-islington