12 GoodGymers met on a warm, sunny evening to continue bashing the invasive Balsams so they don't overwhelm the biodiversity of the riverbanks and neighbouring farmlands.

We welcomed Claire who's restarting her GG adventures in Maidenhead having done plenty of good work in Islington. Along with Claire, we had another new face - young Phoebe, a first timer who's in town for her Uni break.

Jess, currently undergoing the Fitness Leader training, took over to lead an active travel session. After a security briefing which included crossing the road safely, she led us down the Thames path to the bashing arena. Before entereing the woods, a quick pit stop was needed for everyone to put on protective layers against the prickly nettles.

Here, Jess cautioned us about safely navigating the broken fence, the uprooted tree, the other uprooted tree with the barbed wire and the low hanging trees (and the nettles!). Forewarned and overdressed, we proceeded to the clearing to resume the balsam bashing.

Time flew by as we chatted, uprooted, sweated, yelped at being pricked and had a grand old time. On the hour, we headed back and ended the evening with some stretches in the light of the setting sun.

Thanks to Georgeta for the lovely photos and Kanika, for being the Back Marker.

It was lovely weather for a jog through Tooting Common to Streatham, where I met Frances outside Mrs D's house. We enjoyed the Autumn sunshine while trimming two of her garden shrubs and cutting the branches down to size to fit in her garden waste bags. We then appreciated hearing her stories of how the area has developed over the years whilst drinking a refreshing cup of tea.

I was happy to enjoy the last of the hot weather by jogging over to Tooting to help Mrs E by doing some pruning and weeding in her garden. There was a specific area around the shed to be tackled and I managed to fill 5 bags with garden waste. Mrs E had thoughtfully kept some water in the freezer for me to cool down with before I made my way home.

Area Activator Simon caught up with 4 other Goodgym runners at the Arsenal Community Hub last night, prepped and prepared for a group run over to The ARC Centre and Canalside Gardens near De Beauvoir and Packington Estate. After a short warm up, we ran together past Highbury and Islington station, Compton Terrace Gardens, Canonbury Square (all previous Goodgym Islington tasks!) and down to St Paul's Street.

Frannie, the main coordinator for Octopus Community Network had already set up some tasks for Kim and Victoria, who had arrived earlier. Between us, our project was to:

• Soak all of the tree trunks around Canalside Gardens using a hosepipe, to ensure that moisture permeates through to the roots.
• Wheelbarrow as many bags of compost and mulch as possible from the glorious Riverside Gardens (next to Regent's Canal) up to Canalside Gardens.
• Spread the mulch around the plant beds and in proximity to the tree trunks to enrich the soil where necessary. Hoes and spades to be used!

Between the 8 Goodgym volunteers, we successfully prepped all of the trees ready for the possible heatwave next week! It was incredible to see such a transformation over the course of 45 minutes. Luke wheeled up the hosepipe at the end of the evening, and the rest of our team assisted with guiding the hose back the reel without any kinks or twists.

Another successful group run, concluded with a pleasant trip back to Emirates Stadium via Highbury Fields on foot. Great job everyone!

---

Goodgym Islington News

—-----------------------------------

Extra Goodgym Islington Wednesday Task! The ARC Centre and Canalside Gardens

Wednesday 16th August, 6pm - 8pm, The ARC Centre.

Come and help Frannie from Octopus Community Network with some great green maintenance and tree care.

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/wednesday-evening-extra-canalside-gardens-near-the-arc-centre

—-----------------------------------

Caledonian Park Junior parkrun - Summer Time Marshal Help!

The team at Caledonian Road Junior parkrun (a free weekly timed 2km run designed for youngsters and families to run safely and independently - ages 4-14) are in need of more marshals and volunteers to allow the event to happen. Many of the core helpers are away for Summer, so any assistance would be hugely appreciated. It's the best way to start a Sunday!

Sunday 13th August, 8.45am:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/volunteer-at-caledonian-junior-parkrun-summer-holiday-help-2

Sunday 20th August, 8.45am:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/volunteer-at-caledonian-junior-parkrun-summer-holiday-help-3

Sunday 27th August, 8.45am:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/volunteer-at-caledonian-junior-parkrun-summer-holiday-help-4

—------------------------------------

Weekday Community Mission- Housing21 Aftercare and Retirement Home Gardening, Mildmay

Wednesday 16th August, 11am-2pm (flexible with times)

We had a referral through Goodgym Islington from the team at Mildmays and Housing21 regarding an ambitious gardening project for their residents. The community gardening spaces are in need of some attention for anyone who would be up for some digging, lifting and shifting! Super satisfying task!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/weekday-garden-fix-up-at-mildmays-housing21

—------------------------------------

Goodgym x Jog On Recycling Clothes Swap and Group Run @ The Running Works

Wednesday 23rd August, 6pm, The Running Works, Aldgate

Come join us for a social group run with Goodgym and The Running Works, in collaboration with Jog On and Athletic Brewing Company! We will be hosting a clothes swap and donation drive for running and athletics kit as well. A great night to be had! https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/goodgym-x-jog-on-recycling-clothes-swap-and-group-run-the-running-works

—----------------------------------

Penn Road Gardens Open Volunteer Morning

Sunday 27th August, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens, Islington

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.

Local volunteers will be on hand to direct anyone who arrives to offer their help between 10am- midday. Come on down to enjoy a lovely morning community task!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-august-957f8dd9-aa82-4c3d-bae8-7aeb15bc3798

---

September Social- Medal Monday at The Victoria Tavern, Holloway Road

Monday 4th September, 8.45pm, The Victoria Tavern, Holloway Road

As Summer is closing in, we thought we would take the opportunity to celebrate the running or exercise achievements we have completed during this time, especially with The Big Half over the weekend.

Come and join us for £7 pizza and refreshments after our group run to The Rose Bowl Youth Club, and bring the running medals you are most proud of!

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/september-social-medal-monday-at-victoria-tavern