Thank you to the random pedestrian in St Paul's Park for this gem of a title

After a wet and windy afternoon, the Goodgym Islington crew were treated to near perfect conditions for an evening of group running and cycling to The Rose Bowl Youth Club. Da Marcus, Paul and Area Activator Simon made their way up the Whistler Street alleyways, across Highbury Fields and over to Canonbury for a 1.5 mile jaunt to the task location.

Upon our arrival, we met with Dawn, one of our regular task owners, who had purchased brand new secateurs and clippers specially for our visit. The objective for the evening was to trim back the public facing side of the main hedges surrounding the Youth Club, to allow for clear paths for park users. Jasmine, thorn bushes and vines had grown extremely efficiently over the hot Summer months, and had started to go a bit crazy!

Within 50 minutes, our group had chopped away almost all of the overgrown foliage from the hedges (almost too much- we had intended to maintain some greenery behind. It will definitely grow back very quickly!). We had also successfully cleared all of the pathways of leaves and discarded branches, and prepared the debris for green recycling. Well done everyone!

To celebrate, we took a diversion back to Highbury and Islington, and stopped at the Alwyne Castle pub for refreshments and good times!

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GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS

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SESSIONS IN OCTOBER / NOVEMBER

Community Mission - Maria’s Gardens 7.15pm, Maria's Gardens, near Isledon Gardens Monday 17th November

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-maria-s-gardens-isledon-gardens

Group Run - Thornhill Square Gardens - Bulb Planting 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 24th November

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-thornhill-square-gardens-bulb-planting

Community Mission - Camden Estate Community Food Gardens 7.15pm, Rowstock Gardens Monday 1st December

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-camden-estate-community-food-gardens-708bcb88-ea6e-4fac-bc78-159dabe6faee

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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!

NOVEMBER

Paddington Rec Track Thursday 13th November

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-3ef2fa36-2ed1-46b8-8311-6db3c5e6692a

Arsenal Emirates Stadium Thursday 20th November

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-c64d8aa7-1654-45ca-9774-1f7b14376a97

Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 27th November

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-4f5e29bd-fe26-45bf-be9f-22fce4240252

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Track and Towpath - Victoria Park Reps

Thursday 13th November, 7.50am, BLAS coffee, Victoria Park

Come and join Area Activator and UK Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) Simon for a fun mixed pace training session

Our plan is to meet up outside Lion Coffee, Burdett Road at 7.50am, before enjoying an easy jog and dynamic warm up around the Mile End Art Pavilion by 8am.

All paces and abilities welcome!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-mile-end-park-workout

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Track and Towpath - Xmas Bouldering Special!

Thursday 4th December, 7.50am, Mile End Climbing Wall

As a celebration for a busy 2025 with Track and Towpath Run Group, we are planning on closing up for Xmas with a special trip to Mile End Climbing Wall.

Just £5 for an off-peak climbing session, open to boulderers of all abilities! Followed by coffee and snacks at the café.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-mile-end-climbing-wall-xmas-special

(Strava group link)

https://strava.app.link/jZ0J8GD9NXb

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The Green Guardians Volunteer Gardening Sessions

Tuesdays (and a single Saturday) 10am - 12 midday

Market Road Gardens, London N7 9GT

Come along and meet the TGC team and help us to keep Market Road Gardens looking beautiful! All tools provided. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Tea, coffee and biscuits also provided.

Winter Dates

September 16th, 23rd, 30th

October 7th, 14th, 21st (not 28th!)

November 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th

December 2nd, 9th and 16th

Next session

Tuesday 11th November:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-market-road-gardens-tuesday-volunteer-morning-97822399-3f51-4343-ab45-40a451ea0027

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The Green Guardians Volunteer Gardening Sessions

Wednesdays (and one single Saturday) 10am - 12 midday

TGC Hut, Newington Green Park Building, 2 Newington Green, London, N1 4RF

Come along and meet the TGC team and help us to keep Newington Green tidy and lovely!

All tools provided. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Tea, coffee and biscuits also provided.

Winter Dates

September - 17th, 24th, and Saturday 27th

October- 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd

November- 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th

December- 3rd, 10th and 17th

Next Session

Wednesday 12th November

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-newington-green-green-guardians-volunteer-morning-97fa313d-1d61-463c-b7ca-404343204880

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Green Guardians- Whittington Park Sessions

Tuesday and Thursday morning sessions, Whittington Park, Archway

We have six really interesting gardening session happening at Whittington Park. We'll be planting native wild flowers, hedging and bulbs, creating a stumper and planting fruit trees.

These are relaxed friendly sessions where the emphasis is on spending time outside in nature, whilst learning and sharing skills and meeting new people.

The sessions are free and open to all, though under 16's must be with a responsible adult. No experience is needed. We provide tools, gloves, guidance and refreshments.

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Session Dates

1. Thursday 16th Oct 2025, 10am to 12pm ; planting native wildflower

2. Thursday 13th Nov 2026,10am to 12pm ; planting native bulbs

3. Tuesday 6th Jan 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Orchard tree planting with the Orchard Project (with optional free volunteers lunch at 1pm)

4. Tuesday 13th Jan 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Wildlife hedge planting

5. Tuesday 20th Jan, 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Loggery habitat creation

6. Tuesday 27th Jan, 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Loggery habitat creation

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Next session

Thursday 13th November, 10am - 12 midday:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/green-guardians-whittington-park-community-gardening-3673e3d9-2888-477f-89ff-0942d4938542

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The Garden Classroom- Argyle Primary Forest School Gardening

Wednesday 19th November, 3pm - 5pm, Argyle Primary School, Islington

The Garden Classroom run weekly Forest School sessions in the garden at Argyle Primary School in Islington, giving essential outdoor play-based provision to the children, led by volunteer leader Eden.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-argyle-primary-forest-school-gardening

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Golden Olden Community Gardens - Monthly Volunteer Open Day

Saturday 15th November, 10am - 2pm, Opposite Whistler Street, Islington

Olden Community Garden is a charity that maintains this lovely green space, with the objective to promote a community garden for the benefit of people living or working in the London Borough of Islington. Olden Garden gives local people opportunities for education and recreation, with the aim of increasing involvement in the community and reducing isolation.

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/golden-olden-community-gardens-monthly-volunteer-open-day-362747ab-b255-472c-a0c0-44aee832dbe0

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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning

Saturday 15th November, 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/goodgym-islington-friends-of-canonbury-square-volunteer-morning-7e302984-bcc6-44d7-8d11-cb1cb816d4cf

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Penn Road Gardens - Volunteer Day

Sunday 30th November, 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-october-b5de9c26-cc53-40c6-8940-2b98f68d0e2d

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Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session

Saturday 13th 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-november-8d6cb78f-3a20-4a94-9d60-a6851a71d496