Paul, Rosie, Mark and Hannah met at Penge East Community Centre to help some windows sparkle like their true selves, both inside and outside. (In fact, one member of the party was so keen that they managed to get there an hour early, but we won’t mention any names…) A system of washing, scrubbing and dry-wiping was quickly established, and we worked our way round the building, indoors first and then outdoors. We finished up with some admiration of the noticeboard of local activities and all the great initiatives going on at the Centre - take a look!

After a quick chat about pets, and some stargazing on the way (the crescent moon and bright Venus) five of us valiantly battled up the hill to Crystal Palace, where it flattens out through the bright lights, and we headed to meet Shakib at the estate's storage shed. We met the other five of us there, and quickly formed a pack of giggling but very efficient gazebo popper-uppers. Excited by the new task, some of us working inside the (really quite new and nice) gazebos and some directing from outside, we made sure all the bits needed were there, and that everything worked ok. Then with spotlights and headtorches flashing, a brief mini disco effect made us all laugh, before we packed everything back down as neatly as we could to make it easier when the estate's event day comes round. A new task complete, and hopefully the start of a new regular place to help out over the year.

Goodgym twitchers were out in force for this years RSBP Big Garden Bird Watch.

Members from across the country took an hour out of their weekend to count birds in their gardens, local parks and green spaces. It seems a lot of curious pets got in on the action too although the dogs were not quite as interested as the cats!!

From London to Leicester and as far north as Manchester many birds (and squirrels) were counted including:

Robin, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Crow, Jackdaw, Parakeet, Coal Tit, Blackbird, Red Kite, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Woodpecker, Great Tit, Sparrow!

Its great to see such a diversity of birds and we hope this data helps the RSPB to continue to protect these fabulous creatures!

(If you have done your birdwatch but not yet registered, feel free to add yourself or let me know and I can add you).

The Goodgym Islington crew returned to Caxton House Community Centre last night with 13 superstars on hand to help with a big renovation project. Task coordinator Rose had prepared the main hall and reception area of the centre ready for our arrival - paint, wire brushes, clothes and rollers on hand.

Our task for the evening was to remove old guard covers off the radiators in the main hall (originally fitted to protect children from burning themselves on hot pipes, but now no longer serving their purpose) and to take them to a recycling spot. Then, we split into groups to wipe dust off the radiators and to scuff up the old paint using wire brushes. In the meantime, we also had a team masking off the edges of the reception table and wiping down other surfaces.

Step 2 involved using water based (but heat resistant) paint to coat the radiators. We used small brushes to leave a nice even coating around the pipes. A roller was used on the reception desk for 2 coats of nice green paint- looking super clean after an hour of hard work!

Rose and the team at Caxton House were thrilled with the progress we made in such a small amount of time. We were told that the day time staff "love it when the runners come down to help", because they always have a nice surprise when they arrive in the morning after a Goodgym visit! Caitlin brought us an absolutely delicious banana cake too- a wonderful way to celebrate a job well done.

See you all at the Arsenal Community Hub next week for a special Gillespie Park plogging session!

(It was Area Activator Simon's 700th good deed last night! Come and join us for a pizza social next week at Someday Canteen to celebrate!)

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GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS

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SESSIONS IN JANUARY

Group Run- Plogging in Gillespie Park and Finsbury Park 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub, Monday 20th January

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/group-run-plogging-through-gillespie-park-and-finsbury-park

Community Mission- Thornhill Square Gardens 7.15pm, Thornhill Square Gardens Monday 27th January

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-thornhill-square-gardens-c8917f58-58d4-4a41-9e8b-b46438a5ea1e

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Post Group Run Social - Someday Canteen, Finsbury Park

Monday 20th January, 8.45pm, Someday Canteen

A chance to catch up with the Islington Goodgym crew over refreshments and delicious pizza!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-run-social-january-someday-bar-finsbury-park

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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!

Paddington Rec Track Thursday 16th January https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-2b0290a9-fb52-480c-a6c0-b45ba8c2c4a4

Emirates Stadium Thursday 23rd January https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-4ed31405-80ce-454b-9765-45aed49cde03

Paddington Rec Track Thursday 30th January https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-db3e1e87-d1e9-4d55-8f34-fd86e1b9101a

Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 6th February https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-7cdb905f-ec50-40f7-9932-ca8debf0354c

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JENKI Matcha with ON Running Spitalfields Group (February)

Saturday 8th February, 8.45am, ON Running Spitalfields

Every 1st Saturday 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 8.45am (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/on-running-spitalfields-x-jenki-morning-matcha-miles-855fa32d-afdb-4191-91b3-a98573852585

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Track and Towpath Social Running Sessions

Every Wednesday (fortnightly), 7.30am, Mile End Athletics Track

If you are looking for accessible training sessions that can be included in your schedule, then come and join Area Activator Simon for his fortnightly runs.

Track training is always more fun with others, and these are designed to be sociable and open to all!

Structured training sessions, followed by refreshments at The Yurt Café, Limehouse!

Wednesday 22nd January

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-towpath-morning-social-track-session-mile-end-e94c9b86-76cf-4063-bf7b-d487ec8a5a26

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Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!

Tuesday 14th January, 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!

Thursday 14th January

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/elizabeth-house-food-hub-lunchtime-sweep-up-task-6de7b337-1046-4562-b4ed-de077e43e6c8

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Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session

Saturday 8th February, 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.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/compton-terrace-gardens-volunteer-open-morning-february-8f321f6b-5232-4c4d-b4db-6350640529f9

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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (January)

Saturday 18th January, 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.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/friends-of-canonbury-square-volunteer-morning-november-059a7825-8e11-4168-9af3-552cd0952528

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Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day

Sunday 19th January, 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-january

—-------------------------------------- Penn Road Gardens - November Volunteer Day Sunday 26th January, 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. https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-january-c1c2ace2-9aba-45d4-9609-8a038f2aa101

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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

8th February Trent Park https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-trent-park