Speedy Goodgymmers left Camden Estate Gardens Bamboo-zled
9 Goodgymers helped their local community in Islington
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Monday 19th January
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Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
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Area Activator Simon met with 4 Goodgymmers (Stephane, Damarcus, Deidre and Louie) at the Arsenal Community Hub last night, ready for a nice run up Camden Road over to Rowstock Gardens (aka Camden Estate Gardens). Our crew did a smashing job running up the slopes (after a dynamic warm up), and we caught up with the rest of the team in good and ample time.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Michelle (the resident coordinator for these community plots), who set us our objectives for the evening. The first task involved snipping down long bamboo shoots using loppers and secateurs, separating the stalks and the branches for gardening canes, composting or dead hedging projects. We then swept up and tidied the space before moving to the next spot.
We then helped to move some rubber slip matting over to the newly swept up areas of the gardens. The plan is to make the space as safe and welcoming as possible for local gardeners to start planting over Spring. Keep an eye out for many more Camden Estate Garden projects in the near future!
Congratulations on a successful evening of Goodgym activities, all!
And a special mention to Goodgym legend Alison, who joined our group for one last time as a London resident. We wish you all the best with the move up North, and Thank You for all of your help and enthusiasm over the years!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
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SESSIONS IN JANUARY
Community Mission - Thornhill Square Gardens Monday 26th January, 7.15pm, Thornhill Square Gardens
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sign-up/community-mission-thornhill-square-gardens-bulb-planting
Group Run - Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens Monday 2nd February, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
Community Mission - Timbuktu Adventure Playground Monday 9th February, 7.15pm, Timbuktu Adventure Playground, Grenville Road
Community Mission - Everleigh Gardens Monday 16th February, 7.15pm Everleigh Street Open Space, Finsbury Park
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-everleigh-gardens-compost-turning-heroes
Community Mission - Sunnyside Community Gardens Week 1 Monday 23rd February, 7.15pm Sunnyside Community Gardens
Community Mission - Sunnyside Community Gardens Week 2 Monday 2nd March, 7.15pm Sunnyside Community Gardens
Community Mission - Friends of Graham Street (FROGS) Monday 9th March, 7.15pm Graham Street Gardens, Islington
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-friends-of-graham-street-park-frogs
Community Mission - Light of the World Church Monday 16th March, 7.15pm Evershot Road, Stroud Green
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The Green Runners x Preloved Sports Running Kit Swap
Tuesday 27th January, 7 - 9pm, The Horatia, Holloway Road
Do you have sports kit that doesn't get used as much as it could?
Or would you prefer to keep your lovely nice running shoes ready for race day, and have a spare pair for Goodgym tasks?
Simon from Goodgym Islington will be hosting an evening for swapping or donating your used running kit for those who need it.
All items can be swapped with participants and sign ups, and anything left over can be taken home or offered to Preloved Sports, an organisation dedicated to keeping sports kit out of landfill.
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Goodgym Social & Area Activator Simon’s Last Session
Monday 2nd February, 8.30pm, The Tollington Arms, Islington
After 6.5 years, Area Activator Simon will be hosting his final group run session with Goodgym Islington this evening.
After our group run to Highbury Quadrant Estate, we will be making a trip to the award winning local pub, The Tollington Arms, less than 200m away from our bag drop location on Benwell Road!
As well as offering excellent refreshments, the pub has been well known for offering delicious Thai food with loads of varied dietary and vegan options available!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sign-up/aa-simon-s-last-session-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!
JANUARY
Emirates Stadium (Arsenal underground) Thursday 22nd January, 6pm
Paddington Rec Track (Maida Vale underground) Thursday 29th January, 6pm
Stratford Olympic Park (Stratford underground station Westfield exit) Thursday 5th February, 6pm
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Track and Towpath - January Challenge Edition!
Come and join Area Activator and UK Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) Simon for a fun mixed pace training session
Over the month of January, Simon will be hosting a weekly morning running workouts in various parks in the Islington and Tower Hamlets boroughs.
All paces and abilities welcome!
The intention is to build up fitness together towards the Runthrough Victoria Park 10km on Sunday 1st February.
Thursday 22nd January 7.50am, Common Ground coffee, Finsbury Park
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-january-challenge-finsbury-park-kenyan-hills
Thursday 29th January 7.50am, Mile End Climbing Wall, Meath Gardens
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-january-challenge-meath-gardens-kilometres
Runthrough Victoria Park 10km Event!
Sunday 1st February, 9am, Victoria Park
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-and-towpath-runthrough-victoria-park-10km-february-2026
(Strava group link)
https://strava.app.link/3aQu4W5ISYb
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Caledonian Park junior parkrun- January 2026
Sunday mornings, 8.45am, Caledonian Park
Junior parkrun is a wonderful free weekly timed 2km social running initiative, with events occurring all across the UK (and now the world!).
Children aged from 4-14 years old are allowed to run this safe looped course in Caledonian Park however they like, with the encouragement of friendly marshals, volunteers and parents.
The core team are always on the lookout for:
Course marshals
Barcode scanners
Funnel managers
Course set-up and close down assistance
A tailwalker!
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Upcoming sessions:
Sunday 25th January
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Maria's Gardens, Isledon Gardens - Shed Building
Sunday 25th January, 11am - 1pm, Maria's Gardens, Islington
We are planning to lend a hand at Maria's Gardens, a Nature Trail between Isledon Gardens and the Sam Morris Nursery Gardens. One of the key objectives for this session is to build a new tool shed for the regular local gardening team.
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Green Guardians- Whittington Park Sessions
Tuesday and Thursday morning sessions, Whittington Park, Archway
We have six really interesting gardening session happening at Whittington Park. We'll be planting native wild flowers, hedging and bulbs, creating a stumper and planting fruit trees.
These are relaxed friendly sessions where the emphasis is on spending time outside in nature, whilst learning and sharing skills and meeting new people.
The sessions are free and open to all, though under 16's must be with a responsible adult. No experience is needed. We provide tools, gloves, guidance and refreshments.
Session Dates
Tuesday 6th Jan 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Orchard tree planting with the Orchard Project (with optional free volunteers lunch at 1pm)
Tuesday 13th Jan 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Wildlife hedge planting
Tuesday 20th Jan, 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Loggery habitat creation
Tuesday 27th Jan, 2026, 10am to 12pm ; Loggery habitat creation
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Next session
Tuesday 20th January, 10am - 12 midday:
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Penn Road Gardens Monthly Open Volunteer Morning
Sunday 25th January, 10am - midday, Penn Road Gardens, Islington
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.
Local volunteers will be on hand to direct anyone who arrives to offer their help between 10am- midday. Come on down to enjoy a lovely morning community task!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sign-up/penn-road-gardens-open-morning
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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Wednesday morning drop-in community gardening sessions in Newington Green
