Shifting soil was a Barrow of laughs
3 Goodgymers helped their local community in Islington
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Monday 5th February
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Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
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On a blustery but surprisingly warm February evening, Area Activator Simon was joined by Dan and Mehmet for a round trip from Emirates Stadium, to Caledonian Park and back. Together we ran past Penn Road Gardens, and past the Pleasance Theatre, up to the Tolpuddle Cafe on the North side of the famous Caledonian Park Clocktower (renovated as a remaining feature of the original cattle market on this site).
Upon our arrival, we met with Miriam, a local superstar gardener who helps with the upkeep of Cally Park. She is also a regular as Caledonian Park Junior parkrun- see the Goodgym Islington News section below for more details. Our task for the evening involved shoveling from a large mound of donated soil from Highbury Fields, and wheel barrowing the dirt over towards the lovely pond at the top of the park. Between the three of us, we were able to form a chain of motion, and really efficiently moved 1 and a half full builder's merchant sacks of soil within 45 minutes- a remarkable effort within a short amount of time!
Well done everyone. We will be visiting Elizabeth House Food Hub next week, to help with half term deliveries of essential supplies for local families. Sign up here to get involved!
Goodgym Islington News
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
Hillside Gardens, Caxton House Next Thursday- 10am - midday
Market Road Gardens Next Friday- 10am - midday
Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 8th February, 6pm, Maida Vale 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 Maida Vale tube station, ready to run around Paddington Rec Track. Open to runners and guides of all abilities! Follow the link to get involved:
ON Running and JENKI run club- Thursday morning matcha runs!
Thursday 8th February, 7am, ON Running Spitalfields, Brushfield Street
Area Activator Simon has set up a series of morning runs, hosted on Thursday mornings at the new ON Running store in Spitalfields market.
A social 5km before work, with the option to take out a pair of ON Running shoes for a test spin. Followed by hot drinks provided by the team at JENKI, Brushfield Street.
Next run is on Thursday 8th February:
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/jenki-matcha-with-on-running-spitalfields-group
Goodgym Race Team- Met League Cross Country no.5- Trent Park
Saturday 10th February, 12 midday onwards, Trent Park
Met League Cross Country is a set of five 7-8km races organised by London race clubs. They are held in parks and forests around London with the routes including a mixture of grass, gravel and a fair bit of mud (it is XC after all!). Open to all Goodgym Race Team members!
Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning
Saturday 10th February, 10am - midday, Union Chapel, Islington
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.
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
Caledonian Junior parkrun Half Term Helpers
Sunday 11th and 18th February, 8.45am, Caledonian Park
Come and help local families and 4-14 year old youngsters with running a free weekly timed 2km course around Caledonian Park!
Sunday 11th February:
Sunday 18th February:
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (February)
Saturday 17th February, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/friends-of-canonbury-square-volunteer-morning-february
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 18th February, 11am - 1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park, Greenways
Our annual trip to CREOS this year for a woodland regeneration- loads of smashing forest path building has been planned!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-february-2024
Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 25th February, 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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The Friends maintain and care for key areas of the park; represent park users, and help protect the amenities and wildlife of the park.
The Friends maintain and care for the two wildlife gardens to the north-west corner of the park, the community orchard at the south-west of the field; help tend the raised square beds at the South gate, and also plant bulbs and flowers around the park!
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