On Monday evening (after the incredible Hackney Half on Sunday- read the report here ), 5 Goodgymmers met Area Activator Simon and Elizabeth House gardening expert Frannie at the lovely Highbury Quadrant Estate near Clissold Park. We were grateful for having a keen team with us, as we had an abundance of tasks to take on!

The resident gardening team have been extremely busy preparing the garden space for London Open Gardens on 7th - 8th June 2025 (find out more here: https://londongardenstrust.org/log2025/gardens/HighburyQ.html), so engaging with Goodgym to offer some extra hands proved to be very helpful! Matt and Vic were taken on a tour of the immediate estates with Frannie, to install banners to advertise the open day. These were fitted using cable ties to multiple railings and walls to spread the word.

In the meantime, Simon, Sarah and Mehmet picked up gardening forks, hoes and wheelbarrows to help with clearing the woodland play area of weeds and green waste. The plan was to flatten out the surface closest to one of the side entrances to establish a spot for a safe fire pit, and a seating area made of logs. We also planned to re-use an old children's kitchen counter (a toy one made of wood) to make a "mud kitchen" outdoor play area for local kids.

When Matt, Vic and Frannie returned, our team picked up the old wooden kitchen counter, and carefully lifted the structure through 2 gates, up some stairs and into the woodland orchard gardens. It slotted perfectly into the area we just prepared, and thankfully stayed nice and steady! As a final task for the evening, we laid out some logs around the perimeter of the play area to encourage children to sit and relax in nature.

Well done everyone on completing some heavy lifting and presentation jobs- hugely appreciated by the residents of Highbury Quadrant Estate!

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GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS

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SESSIONS IN MAY

Group Run- Camden Estate Gardens Bank Holiday Session - No Bag Drop! 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 26th May

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-camden-estate-community-food-gardens-a57fe67c-0f2c-4104-98b9-938ddb1c81eb

Community Mission- Camden Estate Gardens 7.15pm, Camden Estate Gardens, Rowstock Gardens Monday 2nd June

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-camden-estate-community-food-gardens

Group Run- Everleigh Gardens Compost Turning 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub, Monday 9th June

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-everleigh-gardens-compost-turning-heroes

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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 22nd May https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-addfc9c2-e2a4-4d39-ac0d-e580031471d8

Stratford Olympic Park (and Runthrough Relays) Thursday 29th May https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-and-runthrough-relays

Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 5th June https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-a3ff6c7a-86fd-49cc-bf89-8bf08addadab

Emirates Stadium Thursday 12th June https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-f19db9f6-3b2e-47cd-a89b-ddceb04247ed

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Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!

Tuesday 27th May, 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-4ef51e70-a025-452d-a9d8-04424b8be8c1

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The Garden Classroom- Brickworks Community Roof Garden Session

Friday 23rd May, 10am - 12 midday, Brickworks Community Centre, Crouch Hill

Join us at Brickworks Community Centre to help create a Sensory Garden! This hands-on event will bring together volunteers to plant, design, and beautify this new space

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just looking to get your hands dirty, we welcome all skill levels. Come together with your community to make a lasting impact on our shared space. Let's grow something beautiful together!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-brickworks-community-roof-garden

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Green Guardians Spring Sessions

The Garden Classroom, Newington Green

Wednesday 21st May

Wednesday 4th June

Wednesday 11th June

Wednesday 18th June

Wednesday 25th June

Saturday 28th June

Wednesday 2nd July

Wednesday 9th July

Wednesday 16th July

Saturday 26th July

Next session:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-newington-green-green-guardians-volunteer-morning-e6b285a3-db3f-4e65-a4be-0f5b088a4278

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Market Road Gardens

Tuesday 3rd June

Tuesday 10th June

Tuesday 17th June

Tuesday 24th June

Tuesday 1st July

Tuesday 8th July

Tuesday 15th July

Next Session:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-market-road-gardens-tuesday-volunteer-morning-686791e2-7104-4d1f-a702-a1d044fb2349

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Mack on Track 02: marshals and pacers wanted!

Thursday 22nd May, 6.30pm, London Marathon Community Track, Stratford

Mack on Track is a super inclusive 5000m track running event, with a twist. The objective is to help as many runner as possible get (or come close to) their personal beats for 5km by providing trusted pacers to do so.

The team are looking for helps to assist with registration of participants, alerting runners about when each pace group starts and cheering on the athletes!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/mack-on-track-03-marshals-and-pacers-wanted

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Penn Road Gardens - April Volunteer Day

Sunday 27th 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. https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/wwf-x-goodgym-islington-penn-road-gardens-open-morning-may

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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (June)

Saturday 21st June, 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-june

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London 10km with Saucony- Water Station Volunteers!

Sunday 13th July, 7.30am onwards, Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AH

An incredible event that offers runners to opportunity to race through traffic free streets in the Capital!

Motiv Sports (who also operate the Hackney Half and Oxford Half marathons) have requested Goodgym assistance to help at their 2nd aid station on the day.

Food and water provided, and a free entry for any 2026 event on the Motiv Sports roster will be offered to all volunteers!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-10km-with-saucony-water-station-volunteers-7fc3f823-de75-4b32-9ada-ec2e94c7a51a

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Free Training Plans and Coaching for The Big Half

Apply by 2nd June 2025

Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) Simon is offering 3 spots for 1-to-1 run coaching for Goodgymmers

Simon has been leading group runs, training sessions and workouts for over 10 years, and has been qualified as a Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF) since 2017 and Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) since 2019.

To further his practice, he is looking to broaden his coaching portfolio by offering free coaching and training plans for Goodgymmers signed up for The Big Half 2025 (Sunday 7th September).

Open to 3 Goodgymmers only.

This opportunity includes:

• A personalised 10 week training plan (starting from Monday 30th June)

• Weekly calls or messages (dependent on time requirements of you, the athlete) to check on progress, and well-being

Open to runners of all abilities and looking objectives!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/free-training-plans-and-coaching-for-the-big-half

On a bright April Monday evening, a group of 15 GoodGymers gathered at the Rocky Park community garden nestled in the heart of Hollybush Gardens.

Led by Margaret and Ash—and enthusiastically supported by canine companions, Basil and Wicked—the team rolled up their sleeves for a productive session of digging, lifting, and laughing.

The garden is currently undergoing a transformation, with particular focus on the planters and borders – GoodGymers have been attending regularly to help progress the project.

We were divided into three teams to tackle different tasks: One group focused on turning and depositing soil into the compost bays (better than leg day, in my opinion). Another team tackled a sizeable planter, digging and turning the earth in preparation for new planting. Meanwhile, a third team worked with precision and care (I think), relocating dozens of newly potted donated trees and shrubs.

The pace was brisk, the company sublime and the tasks certainly gave some participants a solid Monday workout.

As we approached 8pm, tools were collected, wheelbarrows stacked, and the ideal group shot spot identified.

After perfecting the pic and making a quick final fuss of the dogs, Best Task Owner in the World, Margaret, presented the team with Easter eggs, accompanied by Lobo’s Milky Ways, ensuring the team’s glycogen stores were fully replenished for the journey home.

A splendid start to Easter!

Until next time.