Careful with the (s)nails!
6 Goodgymers helped their local community in Islington
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Monday 20th May
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Simon Fitzmaurice
SESSION ORGANISER
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After an incredibly busy weekend for the London running scene (check out our report on the Night of the 10,000m PBs at Parliament Hill Track here, our crew met up at the Arsenal Community Hub on a sunny Monday evening. Area Activator Simon was joined by Ralph and Louise for a lovely 1.6 mile run through Highbury Fields, along Petherton Road footpath and to Newington Green, linking to Mildmay Community Centre. Upon our arrival, we met with Dan, Lucy and Caitlin before heading through the a lovely secret garden area at the back of the community hub. The plots, beds and greenhouse are actively used for growing organic produce at discounted rates for local residents and users of the food bank.
Our task for the evening involved removing a large mass of overgrown plants from a forgotten flower bed (neglected from a previous owner). Due to the recent rain fall, the roots were looser than expected, so we could mostly pull the shoots straight from the soil! We collected up the green waste into black bags, that were covered in wildlife and mini-beasts. Loads of snails, slugs, beetles, stink bugs, woodlice and even centipedes!
Since we made excellent progress on shifting the greenery out of the planters, we then moved on to dismantling some rotted wooden decking from the back of the garden. Again, due to the wet weather, we were mostly able to do this by hand (with sturdy protective gloves)- but also had to be very careful not to come in contact with sharp nails protruding from the wood. More time, less haste, more care!
We will be returning to Mildmay Community Centre on the 10th June- watch this space!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-mildmay-community-centre-garden-fix-up-2
We have a special Bank Holiday edition of our group session next Monday. Meeting just by Clissold Park for a series of classic fitness games before flyering around the Highbury Quadrant Estate for London Open Gardens Festival!.
Sign up here to get involved!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-session-bank-holiday-fitness-games-and-flyering
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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!
Thursday 23rd May- Emirates Stadium
Thursday 30th May- Stratford Olympic Park
Thursday 6th June- Green Park
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London Orienteering Klubb- Finsbury Park Go Orienteering Event
Tuesday 21st May, The Twelve Pins, 6pm onwards
Orienteering is really great fun! All abilities running, walking and map reading.
Follow a map offered by London Orienteering Klubb, and find the "controls" (flags and scanning points) across Finsbury Park in order.
2.5km and 5km distances on offer
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-orienteering-klubb-finsbury-park
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Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 26th 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.
The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!
Wednesday mornings, 10am - midday, Newington Green
The Garden Classroom has started multiple weekly open garden mornings in Newington Green, Market Road and Hillside Park (near Caxton House). Set up by trained horticulture specialists and open to all!
Newington Green Next Wednesday- 10am - midday
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The ARC Centre Riverside Gardens
Friday 24th May, 7pm, The ARC Centre, Angel
Come and help the local volunteer gardening team with some lifting and shifting on Regent's Canal. Followed by a trip to The Hanbury Arms in Packington Square!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-arc-centre-riverside-gardens-part-2
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Highbury Quadrant Greening with Elizabeth House
Every Saturday, 10.30am - 12 midday, Highbury Quadrant Meadow
A fantastic task for post-parkrun runners at Highbury Fields or Finsbury Park!
Elizabeth House Community Centre, in partnership with Islington Council, Highbury Quadrant Tenants and Residents Association, Highbury Councillors and community organisations transformed three unloved and unusable green spaces on Highbury Quadrant estate.
These green spaces have been designed into three distinct spaces, improving bio-diversity and the local environment. There is now a beautiful meadow, an orchard and woodland areas.
Local residents have the opportunity to access these green spaces and take part in gardening and nature based activities, every Saturday mornings 10 am to 12 pm.
Saturday 25th May-
Saturday 1st June-
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Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning
Saturday 8th June, 10am - midday, Union Chapel, Islington
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.
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (June)
Saturday 15th June, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 16th June, 11am - 1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park, Greenways
Our monthly trip to CREOS this year for a woodland regeneration- loads of smashing forest path building has been planned!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-june-2024
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