On a crisp Monday evening, Area Activator Simon met with 6 other Goodgym runners (a mix of regulars, Goodgymmers from other boroughs and cities and new comers!) outside Elizabeth House Food Hub. It was a pleasure to catch up with some many folks after an eventful festive break for us all! Our crew set off from Hurlock Street together, and covered the 2 mile social run to Thornhill Square, taking on the slope to Aubert Park like it was nothing!

Upon our approach, we spotted another 6 Goodgymmers had already started with gardening tasks, led by Anna, the top volunteer coordinator for Thornhill Square Gardens. Last week, we were alerted that our Goodgym Islington team had been included in the Islington Tribune (page 13 if you plan to pick it up) as part of an article about spring bulb planting in local gardens.

Steve, Paul, Emily and Caitlin were in charge of filling wheelbarrows with compost and mulch, and laying the contents across various flower beds across the gardens. Hortense and Eilidh were on weeding duty around a series of enclosed beds in the middle of the park (while being greeted by local puppy dogs).

Alex, Alison and first timer and local resident David (welcome!) committed to the difficult task of attempting to remove rose bush stumps from a recently renovated piece of earth. These are particularly tricky specimens to shift (as I have learned from other community missions!), but you all did a smashing job. Marie Laure, Francesca, Katie and first timer Melissa (welcome!) helped with our on-going project of replacing willow branch borders around the flower beds in the centre of the gardens. A tricky task to complete in the dark- but it all looked great!

After dropping off our tools in the community shed and taking a group photo together, we parted ways with 8 runners running to Pho House on Holloway Road for our first social of 2022! Hot soupy noodles was a perfect way to cap off a smashing evening of gardening and fitness fun.

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Upcoming events

Finsbury Park parkrun volunteering

A few of our Islington crew have signed up to marshal and help out at Finsbury Park parkrun this Saturday. Parkrun is a free weekly timed 5km event, designed to be inclusive, social and a wonderful community focused run.

Sign up here to get involved:

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/finsbury-park-parkrun-volunteer-marshalling

Caledonian Park Junior parkrun volunteering

Junior parkrun is another smashing free weekly timed event, but specially orientated those between the ages of 4 and 14. A wonderful way to introduce running as a fun, social activity for the next generation!

Every Sunday, starting at 9am. Always looking for marshals, barcode scanners, funnel managers and any assistance with set up and close down!

More info can be found here:

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/volunteer-at-caledonian-junior-parkrun

CREOS (Crouch End Open Space) Forest Path Building!

One of Goodgym Islington's longest running community missions, and a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning!

The Friends of CREOS volunteers have invited the local community to help with laying down new weather proofed foot paths between Highgate Woods and Alexandra Palace greenways.

Sunday 16th January, 11am - 1pm, followed by social coffee at Time 2 Chill vegan cafe (the picnic crew can't make it this month).

Sign up here to get involved!

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-january-2022