Fully Booked at Caxton House Sensory Garden
4 Goodgymers helped their local community in Islington
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Monday 1st July
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Simon Fitzmaurice
SESSION ORGANISER
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Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
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Faye and Caitlin joined Area Activator Simon for a lovely group run from Arsenal Community Hub, up Sussex Way and over to Caxton House Community Centre. After a dynamic warm up, the three of us ran up an incline (1.5 miles total) to St John's Way, near Archway. Caitlin peeled off at this point, to make her way to Archway Library to pick up a highly requested book that had just become available before closing time! A great way to make the most put of a Goodgym group run!
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Rose, the chief gardening volunteer for Caxton House (and Emily who agreed to meet us at the task). It has been about 6 weeks since our previous visit to Caxton House, and we were amazed by the transformation of this green space. A muddy former flower bed has now been completely dug up, and bricks had been laid out to form a pretty pathway.
Our task for the evening was ton continue the great progress of this pathway. We picked up shovels and spades, and dug up the excess soil from the flower beds. The dirt was then gathered up in builder's sacks, ready for use in other planting projects. Our plan was to level out the beds as evenly as possible, so that the paths can be as tidy as possible for future visitors.
After a solid 50 minutes of digging and shifting, the garden was looking excellent. Together we had filled about 25 bags of excess soil- great job! Ro celebrate, we were given the opportunity to try out some beautifully sweet organic raspberries (grown in site), along with some sherbet strawberries (at the end of their season). Well done everyone!
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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 4th July- Stratford Olympic Park
Thursday 11th July- Green Park
Thursday 18th July- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 25th July- Battersea Park
Thursday 1st August- Arsenal Emirates Stadium
Highbury Fields parkrun and Hilldrop Community Centre Help!
Saturday 6th July, 8.45am, Highbury Fields & 11am, Hilldrop Road
Highbury Fields parkrun (a free weekly volunteer run timed running/walking event) is on this Saturday, and you are very welcome to come and join us!
Afterwards, we are planning on enjoying a post run coffee at Rindo Coffee, Holloway Road, before helping Hilldrop Community Centre with moving a full sized fussball table for the local youth club!
Highbury Fields parkrun:
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/highbury-fields-parkrun-meet-up
Hilldrop Community Centre:
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/fussball-table-shifting-at-hilldrop-house
Post Group Run Social- The Victoria, Holloway Road
Monday 15th July, 8.45pm, Holloway Road
After our group run to Thornhill Square Gardens on Monday evening, we are planning on visiting The Victoria pub for £7 pizzas, refreshments and good times!
Sign up here to get involved:
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-run-social-victoria-tavern-holloway-road
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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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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 6th July-
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Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning
Saturday 13th July, 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!
Saucony London 10km Water Station Volunteers!
Sunday 14th July, 7.30am - 1pm, The Sanctuary, Westminster
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.
The objective is to have 40 volunteers for each station, handing out water to thirsty runners as they pass by.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-10km-with-saucony-water-station-volunteers
Barmet AC Golden Stag Mile at Finsbury Park Track
Friday 19th July, 6.30pm onwards, Finsbury Park Track
Come and try the greatest track distance, the mile!
Now in its ninth year, the races are graded so that you get to race people of a similar ability as we love a close finish. Previous editions have seen British, European, and even World age group records.
The races start at 18:30. At the end of the night the final races will decide the Golden Stag Mile titles for 2024.
Entries for the Golden Stag Mile will remain open until 7th July, or until the races are full. Races will be seeded based on your predicted time.
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (July)
Saturday 20th July, 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 21st July, 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-july-2024
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Joining the lovely resident gardeners at Thornhill Square Gardens for an evening of composting, watering and maintenance
