On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon met with 6 Goodgym gardeners at the hidden urban gem that is Camden Estate Gardens (Rostock Gardens). We met with the lovely Michelle, who had set up the space specially for our visit, despite the wind and rain earlier in the day.

Our task for the night involved using rakes and brushes to gather up as leaves and green debris from around the allotments and beds. We then used grabbing implements and shovels to fill up wheelbarrows or to drop the leaf mulch into various planters. The remaining green waste was then moved to compost bins and builder's merchant bags, ready to be rotted down over the next few months. Our collections from previous years have now become lovely soil for Spring time planting!

We did a smashing job over 40 minutes, and completely cleared the space in no time. Excellent efforts all around!

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GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS

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Currently being updated- watch this space!

Winter has officially started in London this week!

However, the weather conditions did not deter 10 hardy Goodgym souls to join Area Activator Simon for an evening of garden fixing.

Unfortunately, upon our arrival, we were informed that the task would not be feasible in the dark. Although we had brought work lights and head torches, the local gardening volunteers at Maria's Garden, Isledon Gardens made the sensible decision that we should postpone this difficult project. The plan was to move the parts of a new garden shed into the space from a nearby safe spot, and then construct the shed before the end of the evening. A feasible task, if we had more light, safer surfaces to work on and if the main platform for the shed had been constructed in advance. Hopefully we will return soon!

While we contemplated the project, we had the chance to watch some beautiful park dwelling feral kittens being fed by trusted neighbours!

Our crew took the opportunity to run together to the Emirates Stadium concourse instead, and we hosted a last minute paarlauf (pairs running) interval session instead. In pairs, each of our runners set off in opposite directions around the 700m circuit of Emirates Stadium. One runner runs at a faster pace, while the other remains at a recovery effort pace. As the two runners meet, they switch paces while continuing to run in the same direction. Over 8 minutes of total duration, our runners each achieved 4 hand-overs (or high 5s!) before joining Area Activator Simon back at the start line and bag drop. Great job everyone!

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GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS

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SESSIONS IN OCTOBER / NOVEMBER

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

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

Paddington Recreation Track, Maida Vale Thursday 4th December

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-9d9950d4-8265-4d6c-b66e-154ec1e9a434

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Track and Towpath - Stepney Green Strides

Thursday 27th 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 Rinkoff Bakery, Stepney Green at 7.50am, before enjoying an easy jog and dynamic warm up around the Stepney Green Park by 8am.

All paces and abilities welcome!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-stepney-green-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 18th November:

https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/the-garden-classroom-market-road-gardens-tuesday-volunteer-morning-80dc6e49-ed8b-4bcb-979a-4dfde775e42c

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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 19th November

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-newington-green-green-guardians-volunteer-morning-812d6355-61bb-4cdb-9de6-0186833e124d

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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

Tuesday 6th January, 10am - 12 midday:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/green-guardians-whittington-park-community-gardening-6d711904-bb7a-4e18-ae12-41d415b2788a

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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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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

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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning

Saturday 20th 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/goodgym-islington-friends-of-canonbury-square-volunteer-morning-35af9b6b-461a-49a4-8421-a25b2b4f339d