Ralph Barker
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Doing good since May 2024
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Ralph Barker went on a group run
Mon 20th May at 6:20pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
After an incredibly busy weekend for the London running scene (check out our report on the Night of the 10,000m PBs at Parliament Hill Track here, our crew met up at the Arsenal Community Hub on a sunny Monday evening. Area Activator Simon was joined by Ralph and Louise for a lovely 1.6 mile run through Highbury Fields, along Petherton Road footpath and to Newington Green, linking to Mildmay Community Centre. Upon our arrival, we met with Dan, Lucy and Caitlin before heading through the a lovely secret garden area at the back of the community hub. The plots, beds and greenhouse are actively used for growing organic produce at discounted rates for local residents and users of the food bank.
Our task for the evening involved removing a large mass of overgrown plants from a forgotten flower bed (neglected from a previous owner). Due to the recent rain fall, the roots were looser than expected, so we could mostly pull the shoots straight from the soil! We collected up the green waste into black bags, that were covered in wildlife and mini-beasts. Loads of snails, slugs, beetles, stink bugs, woodlice and even centipedes!
Since we made excellent progress on shifting the greenery out of the planters, we then moved on to dismantling some rotted wooden decking from the back of the garden. Again, due to the wet weather, we were mostly able to do this by hand (with sturdy protective gloves)- but also had to be very careful not to come in contact with sharp nails protruding from the wood. More time, less haste, more care!
We will be returning to Mildmay Community Centre on the 10th June- watch this space!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-mildmay-community-centre-garden-fix-up-2
We have a special Bank Holiday edition of our group session next Monday. Meeting just by Clissold Park for a series of classic fitness games before flyering around the Highbury Quadrant Estate for London Open Gardens Festival!.
Sign up here to get involved!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-session-bank-holiday-fitness-games-and-flyering
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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 23rd May- Emirates Stadium
Thursday 30th May- Stratford Olympic Park
Thursday 6th June- Green Park
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London Orienteering Klubb- Finsbury Park Go Orienteering Event
Tuesday 21st May, The Twelve Pins, 6pm onwards
Orienteering is really great fun! All abilities running, walking and map reading.
Follow a map offered by London Orienteering Klubb, and find the "controls" (flags and scanning points) across Finsbury Park in order.
2.5km and 5km distances on offer
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-orienteering-klubb-finsbury-park
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Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 26th May, 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.
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
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The ARC Centre Riverside Gardens
Friday 24th May, 7pm, The ARC Centre, Angel
Come and help the local volunteer gardening team with some lifting and shifting on Regent's Canal. Followed by a trip to The Hanbury Arms in Packington Square!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-arc-centre-riverside-gardens-part-2
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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 25th May-
Saturday 1st June-
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Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning
Saturday 8th June, 10am - midday, Union Chapel, Islington
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.
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (June)
Saturday 15th June, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 16th June, 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-june-2024
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Ralph Barker signed up to a group run.
Mon 20th May at 6:20pm
Gardening Goodness at this awesome community hub, kitchen and food bank!
Read moreRalph Barker has done their first good deed with GoodGym. 🎉
Monday 6th May
GoodGym Runner
Ralph Barker has done their first good deed with GoodGym.
Ralph is a now a fully fledged GoodGym runner. They've just run to do good for the first time. They are out there making amazing things happen and getting fit at the same time.
Ralph Barker went on a group run
Mon 6th May at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Last night, Area Activator Simon has joined by 6 fellow keen Goodgymmers (including first timers Ralph and Vaughan) for a special Bank Holiday edition of the Goodgym Islington group session! Ralph, Dan and Mehmet joined Simon for a walk to Caxton House Community Centre on St John's Way, passing a very friendly cat on route (who proceeded to walk on AA Simon's shoulders- silly thing!).
Upon our arrival, we met with Caitlin, Emily and Vaughan, and were greeted by Rose and the local volunteer gardening team. Peter, one of the regular volunteers, thanked us personally for moving freshly dug soil from Caledonian Park over to his potato plot last week- a small world! We split up into a few groups- Dan and Mehmet set about wheel barrowing bags of collected (good quality) soil from a former flower bed over to a Hippo bag behind Caxton House. The plan is that a crane will move these several tonnes of soil over to another local project.
Meanwhile, Ralph, Caitlin and Vaughan continued our ongoing digging task- removing as much soil as possible from the back garden space. The plan is to reconstruct this area to be used as a quiet spot for children and families (especially those with additional needs). We successfully pulled out some very tricky rooted bushes, and the last of the old plastic piping (dubbed "the sand worm" after our previous trip) out of the ground. Exceptional efforts, everyone!
Emily was tasked to prepare a collection of plant pots for the future planting project. These rejected pots were donated to Caxton House due to a defect- a hole had to be physically cut out of the bottom of each pot using a small mallet! About 7 plants were given new homes during our 50 minute visit, and Emily even found time to gather up more sycamore seeds from the surrounding beds and paving slabs- keeping the invasive saplings at bay!
Congratulations everyone. Thanks for coming out on the Bank Holiday, even despite the changeable weather!
Next Week's Group Session!
I am thrilled to announce that we will return to the Emirates Stadium for our group run session next Monday. Area Activator Simon will lead a social paced run to Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens.
And afterwards, we will visit The Highbury Library for a post run social!
A special celebration for Dan's 50th and Caitlin's 100th Good Deeds!
GROUP RUN- Highbury Quadrant Green Space Garden Maintenance - RETURN OF GROUP RUNS! -
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 9th May- Paddington Rec Track (Maida Vale underground)
Thursday 16th May- Battersea Park (Battersea Power Station Underground)
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/achilles-international-vi-guide-running-battersea-park
Thursday 23rd May- Emirates Stadium (Arsenal Underground)
Thursday 30th May- Stratford Olympic Park (Stratford Underground)
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British Blind Sports Walk Series- Hyde Park
Tuesday 7th May, 11am - 1pm, Hyde Park Corner
Part of a series of walks lead by British Blind Sports- social paced with local visually impaired neighbours!
This time, we will be visiting Jubilee Parade and Hyde Park together.
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/british-blind-sport-walking-group-hyde-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
Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning
Saturday 11th May, 10am - midday, Union Chapel, Islington
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.
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
Post Group Run Social- May!
Monday 13th May, 8.45pm, The Highbury Library
Our monthly post group run meet up- at a smashing spot in Drayton Park. Join us after our trip to Highbury Quadrant Estate!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/post-group-run-social-highbury-library
The ARC Centre Riverside Gardens
Friday 17th May, 7pm, The ARC Centre, Angel
Come and help the local volunteer gardening team with some lifting and shifting on Regent's Canal. Followed by a trip to The Hanbury Arms in Packington Square!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/the-arc-centre-riverside-gardens
Night of the 10,000m PBs- Volunteer marshals for the UK athletics party of the year!
Saturday 18th May, 2pm - 10pm, Parliament Hill Track
Help the UK's premier grassroots athletic event go ahead on Parliament Hill!
The event is an annual full day of endurance distance racing with the most competitive runners on the scene. These races have been listed as part of the European 10,000m qualification criteria, so some incredible running will be on show!
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (February)
Saturday 18th May, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!
Hackney Half Volunteer Aid Station!
Sunday 19th April, 7am - 1pm, Hackney Marshes Centre
Help our fellow runners at this incredible local half marathon party! Join the Goodgym team at an official water and aid station to cheer on the participants!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/hackney-half-aid-station-volunteering
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 19th May, 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-may-2024
British Blind Sports Walk Series- Highgate Woods
Sunday 19th May, 11am - 1pm, Highgate Underground Station
Part of a series of walks lead by British Blind Sports- social paced with local visually impaired neighbours!
This time, we will be visiting the Parkland Walk and Finsbury Park together.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/british-blind-sport-walking-group-highgate-woods
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London Orienteering Klubb- Finsbury Park Go Orienteering Event
Tuesday 21st May, The Twelve Pins, 6pm onwards
Orienteering is really great fun! All abilities running, walking and map reading.
Follow a map offered by London Orienteering Klubb, and find the "controls" (flags and scanning points) across Finsbury Park in order.
2.5km and 5km distances on offer
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-orienteering-klubb-finsbury-park
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Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 26th May, 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.
Ralph Barker signed up to a group run.
Mon 6th May at 6:45pm
Building a lovely new sensory garden at this great community centre
Read more
