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.

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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! 

28th November- Stratford Olympic Park

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-c64a89b2-bcb4-4e15-a809-e9f2b1fa47d3

5th December- Paddington Rec Track

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-868bea0c-359b-48f4-8866-1f5f62244e6f

12th December- Emirates Stadium

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-3db3d302-0f0b-49dc-be28-359a0e87147e

19th December- Paddington Rec Track (and Post Run Xmas Party- The Carlton Tavern)

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-3cce383e-03ac-42d0-bc57-34a23589082b

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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

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-newington-green-green-guardians-volunteer-morning-3f799abb-10f9-4d62-a597-8b5fcf7c4aff

Friday 29th November, 12 - 2pm midday, Market Road Gardens

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-market-road-gardens-friday-volunteer-morning-161a25d5-5d33-468c-b641-ab64f6b87a06

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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!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/elizabeth-house-food-hub-lunchtime-sweep-up-task-4fdd2094-428a-40af-9309-f6a4669fc52a

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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.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-people-s-army-food-parcel-deliveries-3c506c19-c9a4-44a6-9abb-54af55fadc24

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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.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/compton-terrace-gardens-volunteer-open-morning-december-581b9c1f-de11-4fa4-a529-ab3d0cc5dd65

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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.

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

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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

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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

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