Later Slaters!
7 Goodgymers helped their local community in Islington
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Monday 2nd June
Credits
Simon Fitzmaurice
SESSION ORGANISER
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Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
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Area Activator Simon and the Goodgym Islington team met up at Camden Estate Gardens last night for a very fulfilling series of community green space maintenance tasks. As he was waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive, he spotted a beautiful young jay, comfortably settled across a brick wall and completely unfazed by his presence (apparently jays let ants crawl on them for delousing purposes, and there was definitely an ants nest attached to the wall).
7 Goodgym helpers (including first timer Cat- welcome!) joined Simon and local gardening expert Michelle for 3 main projects. Firstly, we set about unloading a compost bin (the final stage of turning) into a wheelbarrow using shovels. As the new fine material is lifted from the container, we then used a sieve (attached to a wooden frame) to filter any debris from the composting process. By the end of the evening, we had sorted an entire builder's merchant sack of new soil!
Secondly, Caitlin did a smashing job of giving the whole area a thorough sweep and tidy. She took the time to filter rubbish and recycling before adding green waste in the appropriate recepticals too- while making sure not to bother the cute little "slaters" (Scottish for "woodlice"- or the little guys who live under slates!).
Thirdly, Emily and Alison had the chance to try out a big fun motorised aeration machine, to make short work of ploughing and oxygenating through the tough soil in three future communal fruit and veg patches (we might be asked back to help with building frames to protect the produce from pests!). We even found time to spread a big container of new soil across the patches, before sweeping and tidying.
An action packed evening of wholesome Goodgym gardening fun! Well done everyone!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN JUNE AND JULY
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
Community Mission- Everleigh Gardens Compost Turning 7.15pm, Everleigh Gardens Open Space, Finsbury Park Monday 9th June
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-everleigh-gardens-compost-turning-heroes
Group Run- Rose Bowl Youth Centre, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub, Monday 16th June
Group Run- Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 23rd June
Group Run- Light of the World Church Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 30th June
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-light-of-the-world-church-gardening-project
Community Mission- Hornsey Rise Kickabout Playground, 7.15pm, Hornsey Rise, Monday 7th July
Community Mission- Timbuktu Adventure Playground 7.15pm, Grenville Road, Islington, Monday 14th July
Group Run- Isledon Gardens Nature Trail 6.45pm, Isledon Gardens, Parkside Crescent, Monday 21st July
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-isledon-gardens-nature-trail
Community Mission- Highbury Quadrant Estate 7.15pm, Highbury Quadrant Estate, Monday 28th July
Group Run- Market Road Gardens 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 4th August
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-market-road-gardens-with-elizabeth-house
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Post Group Run Social - June 2025
8.30pm, Tollington Way Monday 23rd June
Delicious Thai food from a great local pub- hosted after our group run to Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-run-social-the-tollington-arms-arsenal
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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!
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
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 19th June
Hyde Park Summer Session Thursday 26th June
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Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 3rd June, 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!
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Green Guardians Spring Sessions
The Garden Classroom, Newington Green
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:
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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:
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Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 14th June, 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.
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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.
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Penn Road Gardens - June Volunteer Day Sunday 29th June, 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/happenings/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-june-9e600c77-b5a5-4aa8-abeb-c47ddf68b57d
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This task supported
A small garden of passionate food growers
Our community garden was developed on a neglected piece of land in 2013 with the aim to offer local residents the opportunity to grow a range of sessional vegetables and fruit. The focus of the garden is to develop community relationships and social interaction by sharing skills, knowledge and promoting the benifits of spending time outdoors.
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Saturday morning drop-in community gardening sessions in Newington Green
