0 Month Streak
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3 Month Streak
Block or report Eslam Mohamed Mohamed Ahmed
Mon 25th Nov at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon was thrilled to go for a (slightly chilly) run with Mehmet and Emily (congratulations on your half marathon in Richmond!) up Sussex Way and over to the Hornsey Rise Kickabout Playground. About 1.8 miles from the Arsenal Hub to Sunnyside Community Gardens, and short walk to find this unique new planting space.
Down a quiet corridor by Hazellville Road, we found the gardens built upon a former basketball court in the middle of a housing estate. Right on time, we heard an Islington Council electric bicycle, and Eslam appeared around the corner, with access keys, jute coffee sacks, bags of chaff and collected leaves on board. We made our way in, and got started!
Our task for the evening involved contributing towards the big overall project- filling the whole playground with quality soil for local residents. Together, we used some sturdy donated jute bags (provided by The Roasting Shed and Allpress Coffee) to collect up fallen leaves from Sunnyside Community Gardens for future composting and mulching. We were also provided with "chaff", the lovely soft produce created by roasting coffee cherries that also works really well as a fertiliser (and smells wonderful!). Over the course of an hour, we had filled up at least 20 full bags between us, making a great heads start for the residents spring time composting.
To celebrate the end of November, we had a gathering at Rusty Thai cafe just off Hornsey Rise, well regarded for delicious noodles and hot soups on cold days! Well done everyone.
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!
28th November- Stratford Olympic Park
5th December- Paddington Rec Track
12th December- Emirates Stadium
19th December- Paddington Rec Track (and Post Run Xmas Party- The Carlton Tavern)
Green Guardians Weekly Workdays
Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am - 12 midday, Wednesdays, Fridays and occasional Saturdays
Community garden volunteer drop in sessions organised by a collection of specialists and tutors across the borough. Always day time, with occasional weekend meetings throughout Autumn.
The next sessions are as follows:
Wednesday 27th November, 10am - 12 midday, Newington Green
Friday 29th November, 12 - 2pm midday, Market Road Gardens
Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 26th November, 12.45 - 1.15pm, Elizabeth House
On Tuesday afternoons, during term time, the team at Elizabeth House Food Hub have requested for an extra pair of hands to help with cleaning and tidying up their donation centre.
Expect some satisfying sweeping and surface cleaning to assist this busy team!
The People's Army- Food Parcel Deliveries
Friday 29th November, 2pm - 4pm, Cressida Road, Archway
The team at The People's Army food bank and community hub are seeking more volunteers for their busy service.
Every Friday, care parcels are prepared for isolated individuals and families in the Archway and Islington boroughs, and delivered by amazing volunteers.
Any assistance for deliveries on foot or by bicycle would be hugely appreciated.
JENKI Matcha with ON Running Spitalfields Group (November)
Thursday 5th December, 7 - 7.30am, ON Running Spitalfields
Every 1st Thursday morning of the month, ON Running Spitalfields and JENKI Matcha Café on Brushfield Street will be hosting a 5km social paced group run through East London and by St Katherine's Dock.
Meeting at ON Running Spitalfields store at 7am (Bag drop, community shoe try ones, run register, chat and catch up!)
Matcha and hot drinks on offer at special run club discount!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/jenki-matcha-with-on-running-spitalfields-group-november
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Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 14th December, 10am - 1pm, Union Chapel, Islington
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
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. We meet once a month on a Saturday morning near the shed in the middle of the Gardens.
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (December)
Saturday 21st December, 10am - midday, Canonbury Square Gardens
The Friends of Canonbury Square Gardens host an open community gardening session on the 3rd Saturday morning of every month.
Usual tasks would include bulb planting, trimming, laying compost, maintaining flower beds and litter picking.
First Post-Xmas Group Run- Islington Street-O Challenge!
Monday 30th December, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
For our first session back after Christmas, Goodgym Islington have set up our first local treasure hunt style challenge, based on the "Street-O" orienteering concept.
All participants will be given a map, a series of questions and 60 minutes to fill in as many answers as possible.
Work solo or in groups, running or walking. Just return within 60 minutes or receive a time penalty!
Followed by a trip to The Lamb to tally up results and to enjoy some chat and refreshments.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/goodgym-islington-special-street-o-challenge
Met League Cross Country Series- Goodgym Race Team
Various locations, October 2024 - February 2025
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!)
Sign up to the Goodgym Race Team for £15, and enter ALL 5 RACES for the bargain price of £20!
Newbies encouraged and welcomed- the most fun you can have running over the Winter months!
Fixtures
30th November Uxbridge https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-uxbridge
11th January Welwyn Garden City https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-stanborough-park
8th February Trent Park https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-trent-park
Tuesday 8th October
Eslam Mohamed Mohamed Ahmed completed 5 good deeds with GoodGym.
Eslam is a now a pretty committed GoodGym runner. They've just run to do good for the fifth time
Mon 7th Oct at 7:15pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening, local volunteering superstar Eslam hosted a smashing evening at Timbuktu Adventure Playground. Sally, Hannah, Sarah and Caitlin did a wonderful job shifting and turning the bark chip surrounding the play apparatus, helping to keep visiting youngsters safe while running and climbing. Great job everyone!
Mon 30th Sep at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon met at the Arsenal Community Hub on a chilly (but thankfully dry) Autumn evening, before running up Sussex Way to Sunnyside Community Gardens. Upon his arrival, he met with task organiser and Goodgymmer Eslam who had opened up the Hornsey Rise Kickabout Gardens specially for our visit this evening!
Sally, Alison, Emily and Vaughan were also on hand for smashing evening of community garden renovation- a project set up for sustainable growing on formerly abandoned grounds. Our task was to break down a large pile of donated soil into more manageable chunks (using spades and pickaxes), and depositing it into buckets and wheelbarrows. Then, we moved the soil over to a lovely wildlife pond (made from an old bathtub), and we built some foundations around the tub. Emily took charge of padding the soil down, almost like a muddy sandcastle around the pond!
Within 45 minutes approximately, we had moved almost all of the soil, and had successfully created a strong base for the pond. Wonderful job everyone!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
GROUP SESSIONS-
Monday 7th October- Timbuktu Adventure Playground- Community Mission 7.15pm, Task Location
Monday 14th October- Arachne Greek Cypriot Women's Group- Group Run 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
Monday 21st October- Rose Bowl Youth Club- Community Mission 7.15pm, Task Location
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-rose-bowl-youth-club
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Monday 29th October- Turning Compost at Pollard Close- Group Run 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
JENKI x ON Running Spitalfields Monthly Matcha Morning Group Run
Thursday 3rd October, 7am, On Running Spitalfields
Every 1st Thursday morning of the month, ON Running Spitalfields and JENKI Matcha Café on Brushfield Street will be hosting a 5km social paced group run through East London and by St Katherine's Dock.
Matcha and hot drinks on offer at special run club discount!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/jenki-matcha-with-on-running-spitalfields-group-october
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 3rd October- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 10th October- Emirates Stadium
Thursday 17th October- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 26th October- Stratford Olympic Park
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Thornhill Square Gardens- October Workday
Saturday 5th October, 10am - midday, Thornhill Square Gardens
This is an open volunteer gardening morning set up by the Friends of Thornhill Square. As one of the largest public spaces in Islington without council maintenance assistance, extra pairs of hands for bulb planting, composting, litter picking and preparing flower beds would be hugely appreciated!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/thornhill-square-gardens-open-volunteer-morning-october
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 12th October, 10am - 1pm, Union Chapel, Islington
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
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. We meet once a month on a Saturday morning near the shed in the middle of the Gardens.
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (October)
Saturday 19th October, 10am - midday, Canonbury Square Gardens
The Friends of Canonbury Square Gardens host an open community gardening session on the 3rd Saturday morning of every month.
Usual tasks would include bulb planting, trimming, laying compost, maintaining flower beds and litter picking.
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 20th October, 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!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-october-2024
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!
Gait Analysis Training Session with Area Activator Simon
Wednesday 9th October, Emirates Stadium, 6.30pm
Gait analysis has been proved to be a useful tool for highlighting potential issues, making suggestions for improvement and checking efficiency in movement.
Simon would like to offer 10 Goodgymmers the opportunity to join him for a dynamic warm up and short interval session.
During the evening, recordings for forward momentum, running form and lateral stability (at different paces) will be made, and used to make suggestions for training focus or for footwear choices.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/gait-analysis-training-session-with-area-activator-simon
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
Met League Cross Country Series- Goodgym Race Team
Various locations, October 2024 - February 2025
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!)
Sign up to the Goodgym Race Team for £15, and enter ALL 5 RACES for the bargain price of £20!
Newbies encouraged and welcomed- the most fun you can have running over the Winter months!
Fixtures
12th October Claybury https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-claybury-3aab4cb8-8f15-4d0d-a0ed-126cdf50e85e
9th November Horsenden Hill https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country
30th November Uxbridge https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-uxbridge
11th January Welwyn Garden City https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-stanborough-park
8th February Trent Park https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-trent-park
Mon 16th Sep at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon caught up with Luke, Mehmet and Louise at the Arsenal Community Hub during the golden hour- the sun was setting as we engaged in a series of dynamic warm ups in front of the Emirates Stadium. Together, we ran up Sobell Road (past the famous ice rink), along Fonthill Road (by the WB Yeates pub- named after the Irish poet) and onwards to the Light of the World Church, the home of the Lighthouse Community Project.
On route, we ran with Dan and met Eslam at the site- who was preparing the space for this evening's session. The plan is to build the green space behind the church into a community growing area for neighbouring residents, so our Goodgym crew were thrilled to get involved! Luke and Eslam began with clipping away lots of overgrown greenery surrounding the gardens using shears and standing secateurs- a time consuming job, completed with many hands! Meanwhile, Louise, Mehmet and Dan assisted with shoveling some misplaced wood and bark chippings from two large planters, and spreading the material across the back yard (helping to protect the soil and to encourage visitors to use the grass areas during the winter months).
50 minutes was the perfect duration for this task, as our trio of diggers unloaded the last of the chippings at exactly 8pm- it was meant to be! We set off back down Evershot Street together before splitting off into two groups- Area Activator Simon ran back to The Emirates Stadium, but met with Dan and Louise for food and refreshments at The Swimmer N4 to celebrate our monthly post group run socials! Well done everyone!
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GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
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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 19th September- Paddington Rec Track (Janice's Birthday Special)
Thursday 26th September- Stratford Olympic Park
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (September)
Saturday 21st September, 10am - midday, Canonbury Square Gardens
The Friends of Canonbury Square Gardens host an open community gardening session on the 3rd Saturday morning of every month.
Usual tasks would include bulb planting, trimming, laying compost, maintaining flower beds and litter picking.
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 28th September
Thornhill Square Gardens- October Workday
Saturday 5th October, 10am - midday, Thornhill Square Gardens
This is an open volunteer gardening morning set up by the Friends of Thornhill Square. As one of the largest public spaces in Islington without council maintenance assistance, extra pairs of hands for bulb planting, composting, litter picking and preparing flower beds would be hugely appreciated!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/thornhill-square-gardens-open-volunteer-morning-october
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 12th October, 10am - 1pm, Union Chapel, Islington
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
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. We meet once a month on a Saturday morning near the shed in the middle of the Gardens.
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 20th October, 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!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-october-2024
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!
Gait Analysis Training Session with Area Activator Simon
Wednesday 9th October, Emirates Stadium, 6.30pm
Gait analysis has been proved to be a useful tool for highlighting potential issues, making suggestions for improvement and checking efficiency in movement.
Simon would like to offer 10 Goodgymmers the opportunity to join him for a dynamic warm up and short interval session.
During the evening, recordings for forward momentum, running form and lateral stability (at different paces) will be made, and used to make suggestions for training focus or for footwear choices.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/gait-analysis-training-session-with-area-activator-simon
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
Met League Cross Country Series- Goodgym Race Team
Various locations, October 2024 - February 2025
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!)
Sign up to the Goodgym Race Team for £15, and enter ALL 5 RACES for the bargain price of £6!
Newbies encouraged and welcomed- the most fun you can have running over the Winter months!
Fixtures
12th October Claybury https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-claybury-3aab4cb8-8f15-4d0d-a0ed-126cdf50e85e
9th November Horsenden Hill https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country
30th November Uxbridge https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-uxbridge
11th January Welwyn Garden City https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-stanborough-park
8th February Trent Park https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-trent-park
Mon 30th Sep at 6:45pm
Gardening and clear up near Sunnyside Community Gardens
Read moreMon 16th Sep at 6:45pm
Continuing our gardening assistance with this smashing local centre in Stroud Green
Read moreMon 7th Oct at 7:15pm
Helping to contribute to the upkeep of this wonderful children's playground
Read moreMon 29th Jul at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
After a baking hot summer's day, Area Activator Simon was glad to feel some breeze and a bit of shade before this evening's group run to Timbuktu Adventure Playground near Hornsey Rise. Mehmet, Faye, Louise and Paul joined Simon for a warm up on the Emirates Stadium slopes, before chatty running up Sussex Way, and to Grenville Road. Upon our arrival, we met with Emre, Dan, Lucy and Alison, but found that the main access gate was locked up.
Literally 30 seconds later, Eslam appeared around the corner, pedalling a cargo bike full of tools borrowed from Sunnyside Gardens on Elthorne Road. We cracked on with our evening's tasks! Objective one was to use shovels and forks to turn over the bark chippings that lay around the adventure playground. Mixing the bark with soft soil allows the surface to be softer and more protective in case of a child falling off the play equipment. A big job that needs to be done regularly in the summer months- greatly aided by many Goodgym hands!
Objective two involved giving all of the pathways and play area a really good weeding, as vines, bushes and saplings had started to grow wild with the summer heat and rainfall. Louise, Faye and Alison did a smashing job of removing huge piles of green waste (including some hardy potatoes that found their way into the wood chip!). Eslam made us feel very welcome with offers of water while working, and even the opportunity to take home some freshly grown bamboo from the local gardens!
Well done everyone. Fantastic work on a super sunny evening!
And a special Thank You to Emre for joining us for his final Monday evening Goodgym session before he returns home to Cyprus. It was been a pleasure to meet you, and we really appreciate your efforts and awesome attitude! See you soon, we hope!
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 1st August- Arsenal Emirates Stadium
Thursday 8th August- Stratford Olympic Park
Thursday 15th August- Green Park
Thursday 22nd August- Paddington Rec Track
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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.
Mon 29th Jul at 6:45pm
Helping to contribute to the upkeep of this wonderful children's playground
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