Cally On My Wayward Son

8 Goodgymers helped their local community in Islington
Vlad Sirenko
Adam O'Riley
Caitlin Rollison
Laura Grant
Sally
Simon Fitzmaurice
Benedict Lumley
1 / 17
Islington

Monday 1st May 2023

Credits
Simon Fitzmaurice
Simon Fitzmaurice

SESSION ORGANISER

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Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice

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We apologise for this simplified version of the run report today- the GG website is having some issues


On our first of 3 Bank Holiday Mondays of May, Area Activator Simon met with 7 other keen Goodgym runners and cyclists from many London boroughs at our alternative meet-up location, The Gym Group on Caledonian Road. This proved to be a wise choice, as a football match was on at the Emirates Stadium down the road (our usual start point)!

Our crew jogged together up Market Road, and met with Miriam, head volunteer for the Friends of Caledonian Park (and frequent event director for Caledonian Park junior parkrun). Together, we rolled a collection of wheelbarrows over to the park (borrowed from The Lumpy Hill Adventure Playground). Upon our arrival at the famous Caledonian Park Clock Tower, we were met with 9 tonnes of compacted soil and woodchip, delivered over the weekend. Our objective for the evening was to move as much fresh soil as possible over to some newly refreshed flower beds and the glorious wildflower pond space to the west side of the park. From here, local volunteers (usually retired helpers who live on the estate) will continue to make the area look incredible!

Within 50 minutes, we had successfully moved a full 1 tonne bag of soil, and almost the entirety of a second bag- which is super impressive! Well done!

We ended our session with the first attempt at the “Cally Park Time Trial”- a 600m run around the perimeter of the park itself from clock tower to clock tower. The same route is used for junior parkrun every Sunday at 9am, so it was great to give it a go as a social run together!

Find out more about the history of the Caledonian Road Clock Tower and original market place here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caledonian_Park_Clock_Tower


NEWS

Track Attack goes to Victoria Dock! Sunday 7th May, 11am, The Good Hotel, Victoria Dock

Our monthly Sunday morning time trial will be hosted at the awesome Victoria Dock (by the Excel Centre). 5km and/or 1 mile distances will be available to run as part of our social timed running event. Runners of all abilities and paces welcome! We always finish with coffee and breakfast too!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-attack-coronation-weekend-workout-at-victoria-dock


GROUP RUN- The ARC Centre Foodbank Flyering Monday 8th May, 6.45pm, The Gym Group Caledonian Road

Another Bank Holiday group run, this time joining our friends at The ARC Centre near De Beauvoir. We will be distributing flyers regarding news about the foodbank project within the Packington Estate.

Sign up here for more information: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-the-arc-centre-foodbank-flyering


Octopus Community Network- Post parkrun digging and weeding at St Mary's Church, Hornsey Rise Saturday 13th May, 10.30am, St Mary’s Church

An awesome digging, lifting and shifting (and light weeding) task with the lovely folks from Octopus Community Network- a short run from Finsbury Park or Highbury Fields for those enjoying a parkrun!

Sign up here: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/octopus-community-network-post-parkrun-digging-and-weeding-at-st-mary-s-church-hornsey-rise


GROUP RUN- Rose Bowl Youth Club Monday 15th May, 6.45pm, The Arsenal Community Hub

Goodgym Islington will be returning to the wonderful Rose Bowl Youth Club, with Dawn and the team. We will be preparing the playground and the upper roof garden event space ready for Summer Time activities in the local community!

Sign up here:

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-rose-bowl-youth-club-returns

POST GROUP RUN SOCIAL MAY- The Swimmer N7 Monday 15th May, 8.45pm, The Swimmer

Following our group run to The Rose Bowl Youth Club, we will be visiting The Swimmer N7, a wonderful local pub just up the road from The Emirates Stadium. A great opportunity to catch up with our fellow Goodgymmers after the Bank Holiday!

https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-run-social-may-the-swimmer


Crouch End Open Space- Forest Path Building Sunday 21st May- 11am to 1pm- Crouch End

On Sunday, we will be returning to one of our favourite local community missions- CREOS aka Crouch End Open Space- a forest path building and maintenance session with the Friends of CREOS and The Conservation Volunteers. We will be looking after the beautiful woodland walk way between Highgate and Muswell Hill. Often combined with a picnic provided by Crouch End residents!


Night of the 10,000m PBs- The highlight of the UK Athletics calendar year- here in London!!!! Saturday 20th May, 2-10pm, Parliament Hill Track

The most incredible event in UK track racing returns to Parliament Hill for 2023- hosted by Ben Pochee and Highgate Harriers.

The absolute elite of UK and European 10,000m endurance distance racing will be competing live for places on the Commonwealth Games roster and other incredible opportunities. It will be a free party for anyone interested in the running scene (and most importantly an introduction for non-runners too!). Check it out here, you won't regret it!!! https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/night-of-the-10-000m-pbs-saturday-show-time-volunteers!



This task supported
Friends of Caledonian Park
The Friends maintain and care for key areas of the park; represent park users, and help protect the amenities and wildlife of the park.

The Friends maintain and care for the two wildlife gardens to the north-west corner of the park, the community orchard at the south-west of the field; help tend the raised square beds at the South gate, and also plant bulbs and flowers around the park!

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