0 Month Streak
40 Month Streak
Block or report Caitlin Rollison
Wed 18th Sep at 6:15pm
Camden Report written by Alex Murtough (he/him)
Our new mascot is a web developer.
They're a true expert in ICT (insects - caterpillars - (and) - termites).
They have promised us they will spread the GoodGym word in apartments, flats, and houses across Camden. Apparently they can get into any building.
Whilst they are neither a vegan nor a vegetarian, they (reluctantly) respect others ways of life. Unless you are an insect, caterpillar, or termite.
We will call them Camden. Camden the Big-Fluffy-MaybeScary-Super-Spider.
Our rendezvous and meet-and-great with Camden (The Big Fluffy Spider) filled the final minutes of our time at the Caversham's Listening Space Garden, amidst a darkening and (orange) moon shaped sky.
We started in our usual haunt by the Crick this evening. Caitlin, Gosia, Jackie, Steve, and I started with chatter before attempting the count-to-25 warm-up game. We didn't quite make it to 25. This irked Camden (The Big Fluffy Spider). Every successful spider - apparently - can count to 25 (flies).
Our smaller group tracked a sun-bound evening route through Camden to the Caversham, where we were met by GG Camden regular, Sarah, and GG Camden newcomers, Alfie, Anton, and Nivia (you're very welcome, all!!)
Guided by the Caversham's brill social prescriber, Jackie, we got tucked into 40 minutes of scraping, pulling, and removing summer weeds. Heads down under our encroaching evening, we each got to know someone a little better.
Thank you, all, folks (including you, Camden) for this evening - you made a huge and visible difference to this space, which is used so much by the local community - thank you :)
Here's to next time!
Thu 19th Sep at 7:03am
It was a great run and we really did a great job up there đ. Thanks for leading it Alex and thank you all for great work đŤĄ.
Thu 19th Sep at 9:14am
Great report!!! And very lovely to meet new people, too (including Camden the spider) :)
Thu 19th Sep at 11:07am
Join us for a GoodGym celebration social at King's Cross on 10th October https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/goodgym-celebration-at-kings-s-cross-station
Wed 18th Sep at 6:15pm
Help restore this special space for patients and the local community :)
Read moreTue 17th Sep at 6:30pm
Arachne supports over 650 people from across Islington and Greater London. Thank you for helping us make our space feel more welcoming!
Read moreWed 28th Aug at 12:00pm
Camden Report written by John Shirley
This week we were joined by a special guest - Caitlin from Islington, who's usually all tied up with work on a Wednesday lunchtime, but took a whole week off so she could join us for this task (or something like that).
It had been a windy week, meaning the none-too-strong bamboo sticks which were supposed to hold up the tomato plants had collapsed into the earth.
So we first had to entangle those that had fallen into each other, remove a few dead bits and then hope we could defy gravity and get them upright again - using as a guide the digits representing Caitlin's 111 good deeds.
A further issue was getting the poles deep enough into the earth to hold firm. But we got there in the end - getting the more reluctant poles all tied up to their neighbours - and can only hope that a small breeze won't bring everything down again.
Finally, good luck to Maria with her job application - even though it might mean we see her less often at midday GoodGym tasks
Wed 28th Aug at 12:00pm
The refurbished area is becoming a hub for food growing, gardening and wildlife activities
Read moreMon 19th Aug at 6:15pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
It was a joy to return to Elizabeth House Food Hub on Monday evening, for our final visit of the Summer Holidays. Area Activator Simon was joined by 3 runners (including first timer Sebastian- welcome!) at the Arsenal Community Hub. After a few warm up drills on the slopes, we made our way up the Highbury Hills for a 1 mile jaunt to the food bank. On our route, we bumped into Katie, and encouraged her to join our crew!
Upon our arrival, we had to opportunity to catch up about our weekend adventures (meet ups with relatives, camping outside the city, trips to watch Taylor Swift!). We met with the lovely Roshni (who was celebrating her final shift at Elizabeth House before moving to a new project- we will miss you!), who directed us to a collection of carrier bags full of essential supplies for local residents. Caitlin even brought 3 years of discarded carriers bags from her former landlord to the centre, ready for future deliveries. We are always looking for more if you have any in your cupboards!
The food hub operates like a supermarket of donated and overstocked food from a variety of sources, and many Arsenal residents visit to do regular shopping of vital items for the week. Some community members are less able to visit the food hub in person, so our Goodgym team assist be dropping the parcels off in person. Our groups of 3 made short work of these heavy carrier bags, and returned in ample time to help with the clear up and deep clean of the hub.
Together, we returned all of the long-life foods back to the pantry for later dates, and then closed down and moved folding tables away after cleaning them down. We also helped with clearing delivery crates out to a less crowded location, and swept the floors ready for kid's summer holiday activities on Tuesday!
Congratulations on a job well done, everyone! We even had the opportunity to take home some organic allotment grown vegetables and baguettes to celebrate a top job.
See you all at Caledonian Park next Monday!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-caledonian-park-bank-holiday-special
Mon 5th Aug at 6:15pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On warm summer's Monday evening (a bit earlier than usual!), our Goodgym crew met outside the Arsenal Community Hub, ready to help put at a smashing community food bank task. Area Activator Simon led a short dynamic warm up on the Emirates Slopes (with 5 regular GG runners, and first timer Lara- welcome!), before running approximately 1.2 miles together. We tackled Highbury Hill, and enjoyed a decent descent down to Hurlock Street, ready with the team at this busy local food project.
The volunteers at Elizabeth House Food Hub operate a system that allows anyone in the neighbourhood to join a scheme, and visit a supermarket style space to collect donated and organically grown food. Goodgym Islington joined in by taking pre-prepared delivery bundles for residents who are unable to physically visit the food hub on their own (elderly neighbours, families, those with limited mobility for example). We separated into groups to drop off the parcels, after ringing each of the residents in advance.
Following the final orders from the food bank, we then helped the team with clearing up for the next days activities. Crates of canned goods and hardy vegetables where taken back to the kitchen area, and all surfaces were cleaned and disassembled. Any perishable food was offered to any volunteers on hand, so we had the chance to run home with plenty of bread rolls, leafy greens, peppers and cherry tomatoes grown locally!
Fantastic efforts everyone- we will return to Elizabeth House on Monday 19th August (6.15pm Arsenal Community Hub, 6.30pm Elizabeth House)
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
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!
Thursday 8th August- Stratford Olympic Park
Thursday 15th August- Green Park
Thursday 22nd August- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 29th August- Battersea Park
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The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!
Wednesday mornings, 10am - midday, Newington Green
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
POST GROUP SESSION SOCIAL- Area Activator Simon celebrates 5 years!
Monday 12th August, 8.45pm, Someday Canteen, Finsbury Park
Area Activator Simon (formerly Trainer Simon) began leading sessions for Goodgym Islington 5 years ago, taking the reins from Goodgym legend Paul Bown (still active in GG Sheffield).
We invite you for good food, excellent refreshments and fun times at Someday Canteen. A pleasant 20 min walk from The Arsenal Community Hub, after our scheduled task!
Highbury Quadrant Greening with Elizabeth House
Every Saturday, 10.30am - 12 midday, Highbury Quadrant Meadow
A fantastic task for post-parkrun runners at Highbury Fields or Finsbury Park!
Elizabeth House Community Centre, in partnership with Islington Council, Highbury Quadrant Tenants and Residents Association, Highbury Councillors and community organisations transformed three unloved and unusable green spaces on Highbury Quadrant estate.
These green spaces have been designed into three distinct spaces, improving bio-diversity and the local environment. There is now a beautiful meadow, an orchard and woodland areas.
Local residents have the opportunity to access these green spaces and take part in gardening and nature based activities, every Saturday mornings 10 am to 12 pm.
Saturday 3rd August
Saturday 10th August
Saturday 17th August
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 18th August, 11am - 1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park, Greenways
Our monthly trip to CREOS this year for a woodland regeneration- loads of smashing forest path building has been planned!
Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 25th August, 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.
Camino Ultra London Lee Valley Eco Trail- Aid Station Superstars
Saturday 5th October, 9am onwards, Ranger's Retreat, Chingford DaznBone (aka Darren Strachan and David Bone) and the Camino Ultra team are putting together the logistics for their next 50km ultra race (running from Wanstead Flats, up the green corridor to Epping Forest and back), and have invited the Goodgym crew to get involved!
On the course, there will be 4 major aid stops, and we have been invited to take over the first refresh point and the penultimate aid station.
This will involve providing water and snacks to runners of all abilities during the key stages of their race, and to support them with smiling faces and enthusiasm!
Goodgym Race Team Big 4- Love Luton RunFest 2024
Sunday 13th October, 8.45am onwards, Luton Town Centre
This 5k, 10k, and half marathon around the streets of Luton is a popular road race with GoodGym. Join us for this 4th and final official GoodGym race team race of 2024. Big Goodgym running crew meet up to be expected!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/love-luton-love-luton-runfest-2024
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