GoodGym Islington
Where there's a Wheel, there's a Way
Tuesday 26th November
Written by anne malcolm
Mr J has been bed bound for almost a year. GoodGym were asked to move some furniture to make space for a recliner chair and hoist so that Mr J can get out of bed again.
An antique chaise, an antique table and a modern upright cupboard were all to be moved from the main living room to a spare room at the other end of the hall. Two medium sized chest of drawers were also to be taken from the bedroom upstairs and placed outside for collection.
Bianca had got held up at work and would join asap. However, with a limited window before Mr J's carers arrived, it was important to get started immediately. Amazingly, I wasn't alone. Mr J's wife, Mrs M, helped steer and lift. For the record, Mrs M is a trooper and has earned her own GoodGym t-shirt!
We were doing admirably but I must admit, I was delighted to discover that the tall cupboard was on wheels!
Bianca was on hand to help move the chest of drawers outside ready for collection and the whole task was complete, with 6 minutes to spare, in time for the carers arriving.
Armchair Ride.
Tuesday 26th November
Written by Nick Moore
"He says it may be a bit tight getting the chair through the door but it came in that way so it must be able to go out as well!" are the words that strike fear and trepidation into any GoodGym furniture shifting missioner...
At first glance the armchair did look a bit larger than the door frame, but we quickly discovered it was sitting on a raised plastic pedestal, and that actually it was quite light, and it was on wheels.
Once Mr S had described where the collection point was, David and I quickly had the chair out of the living room, through the various front doors, and fighting the temptation to give the chair a test drive down the Holloway Road in the morning sunshine, we turned right and right again, and soon had it parked neatly next to the bins.
Jute-y Free
Monday 25th November
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon was thrilled to go for a (slightly chilly) run with Mehmet and Emily (congratulations on your half marathon in Richmond!) up Sussex Way and over to the Hornsey Rise Kickabout Playground. About 1.8 miles from the Arsenal Hub to Sunnyside Community Gardens, and short walk to find this unique new planting space.
Down a quiet corridor by Hazellville Road, we found the gardens built upon a former basketball court in the middle of a housing estate. Right on time, we heard an Islington Council electric bicycle, and Eslam appeared around the corner, with access keys, jute coffee sacks, bags of chaff and collected leaves on board. We made our way in, and got started!
Our task for the evening involved contributing towards the big overall project- filling the whole playground with quality soil for local residents. Together, we used some sturdy donated jute bags (provided by The Roasting Shed and Allpress Coffee) to collect up fallen leaves from Sunnyside Community Gardens for future composting and mulching. We were also provided with "chaff", the lovely soft produce created by roasting coffee cherries that also works really well as a fertiliser (and smells wonderful!). Over the course of an hour, we had filled up at least 20 full bags between us, making a great heads start for the residents spring time composting.
To celebrate the end of November, we had a gathering at Rusty Thai cafe just off Hornsey Rise, well regarded for delicious noodles and hot soups on cold days! Well done everyone.
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
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!
28th November- Stratford Olympic Park
5th December- Paddington Rec Track
12th December- Emirates Stadium
19th December- Paddington Rec Track (and Post Run Xmas Party- The Carlton Tavern)
Green Guardians Weekly Workdays
Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am - 12 midday, Wednesdays, Fridays and occasional Saturdays
Community garden volunteer drop in sessions organised by a collection of specialists and tutors across the borough. Always day time, with occasional weekend meetings throughout Autumn.
The next sessions are as follows:
Wednesday 27th November, 10am - 12 midday, Newington Green
Friday 29th November, 12 - 2pm midday, Market Road Gardens
Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 26th November, 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!
The People's Army- Food Parcel Deliveries
Friday 29th November, 2pm - 4pm, Cressida Road, Archway
The team at The People's Army food bank and community hub are seeking more volunteers for their busy service.
Every Friday, care parcels are prepared for isolated individuals and families in the Archway and Islington boroughs, and delivered by amazing volunteers.
Any assistance for deliveries on foot or by bicycle would be hugely appreciated.
JENKI Matcha with ON Running Spitalfields Group (November)
Thursday 5th December, 7 - 7.30am, ON Running Spitalfields
Every 1st Thursday morning of the month, ON Running Spitalfields and JENKI Matcha Café on Brushfield Street will be hosting a 5km social paced group run through East London and by St Katherine's Dock.
Meeting at ON Running Spitalfields store at 7am (Bag drop, community shoe try ones, run register, chat and catch up!)
Matcha and hot drinks on offer at special run club discount!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/jenki-matcha-with-on-running-spitalfields-group-november
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Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 14th December, 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.
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (December)
Saturday 21st December, 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.
First Post-Xmas Group Run- Islington Street-O Challenge!
Monday 30th December, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
For our first session back after Christmas, Goodgym Islington have set up our first local treasure hunt style challenge, based on the "Street-O" orienteering concept.
All participants will be given a map, a series of questions and 60 minutes to fill in as many answers as possible.
Work solo or in groups, running or walking. Just return within 60 minutes or receive a time penalty!
Followed by a trip to The Lamb to tally up results and to enjoy some chat and refreshments.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/goodgym-islington-special-street-o-challenge
Met League Cross Country Series- Goodgym Race Team
Various locations, October 2024 - February 2025
Met League Cross Country is a set of five 7-8km races organised by London race clubs. They are held in parks and forests around London with the routes including a mixture of grass, gravel and a fair bit of mud (it is XC after all!)
Sign up to the Goodgym Race Team for £15, and enter ALL 5 RACES for the bargain price of £20!
Newbies encouraged and welcomed- the most fun you can have running over the Winter months!
Fixtures
30th November Uxbridge https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-uxbridge
11th January Welwyn Garden City https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-stanborough-park
8th February Trent Park https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-trent-park
A quick sand and then we varnish
Monday 18th November
Written by Islington runner
Seven GGers met Rose at Caxton House to shelter from the rain.
The display board and front desk were sanded smooth; the board given a fresh coat of 'Caxton Green' paint and the front desk given a fresh brown varnish.
Matt and Alison worked on the front desk while Caitlin, Vaughan, Biana, Emily, and Sally tackled the big display board.
A brush with the floor
Friday 15th November
Written by Ivo (he/him)
Mrs C's garden was full of leave leaves, she wanted it clear. She had a good stiff -bristled brush and a big garden waste bag making this job a breeze. Lovely run in the sun through Hoxton and Cannonbury. Mrs C very happy and grateful for help.
Supergrass
Monday 11th November
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon was joined by Goodgym runners Luke and Emily for a really pleasant jaunt from the Arsenal Community Hub to Thornhill Square Gardens. Together, we embraced the 1.4 mile run up to Caledonian Road, and the swift downhill towards Barnsbury.
Upon our arrival, we spotted the powerful headlamp light of Matt, directing our team over to resident gardening volunteer expert, Anna. Wheelbarrows, spades and forks had been set out specially for our arrival.
Our task for the evening involved clearing out some really hardy and quick growing grass from a collection of flowerbeds across the park. Forks and shovels were required to dig out the stubborn roots remaining in the ground before removing these very tall shoots. Alongside this job, we also helped with weeding a memorial garden on the south side of Thornhill Square, ready for fresh manure and compost to be added before the new year. I expect we will be planting some new bulbs here soon!
We were thrilled to hear that Thornhill Square Gardens had won the Gold Award for Best Park for the Islington Together awards last month. Well deserved considering the care and attention offered by this active community group! Congratulations!
https://thornhillsquare.wordpress.com/
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!
14th November- Emirates Stadium
21st November- Paddington Rec Track
28th November- Stratford Olympic Park
5th December- Paddington Rec Track
12th December- Emirates Stadium
19th December- Paddington Rec Track (and Post Run Xmas Party- The Carlton Tavern)
Green Guardians Weekly Workdays
Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am - 12 midday, Wednesdays, Fridays and occasional Saturdays
Community garden volunteer drop in sessions organised by a collection of specialists and tutors across the borough. Always day time, with occasional weekend meetings throughout Autumn.
The next sessions are as follows:
Wednesday 13th November, 10am - 12 midday, Newington Green
Friday 15th November, 12 - 2pm midday, Market Road Gardens
Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 12th November, 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!
The People's Army- Food Parcel Deliveries
Friday 15th November, 2pm - 4pm, Cressida Road, Archway
The team at The People's Army food bank and community hub are seeking more volunteers for their busy service.
Every Friday, care parcels are prepared for isolated individuals and families in the Archway and Islington boroughs, and delivered by amazing volunteers.
Any assistance for deliveries on foot or by bicycle would be hugely appreciated.
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (November)
Saturday 16th November, 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.
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 17th November, 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-november-2024
Penn Road Gardens - November Volunteer Day
Sunday 24th November, 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.
JENKI Matcha with ON Running Spitalfields Group (November)
Thursday 5th December, 7 - 7.30am, ON Running Spitalfields
Every 1st Thursday morning of the month, ON Running Spitalfields and JENKI Matcha Café on Brushfield Street will be hosting a 5km social paced group run through East London and by St Katherine's Dock.
Meeting at ON Running Spitalfields store at 7am (Bag drop, community shoe try ones, run register, chat and catch up!)
Matcha and hot drinks on offer at special run club discount!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/jenki-matcha-with-on-running-spitalfields-group-november
------------------------‐----------‐-----
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 14th December, 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.
Met League Cross Country Series- Goodgym Race Team
Various locations, October 2024 - February 2025
Met League Cross Country is a set of five 7-8km races organised by London race clubs. They are held in parks and forests around London with the routes including a mixture of grass, gravel and a fair bit of mud (it is XC after all!)
Sign up to the Goodgym Race Team for £15, and enter ALL 5 RACES for the bargain price of £20!
Newbies encouraged and welcomed- the most fun you can have running over the Winter months!
Fixtures
30th November Uxbridge https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-uxbridge
11th January Welwyn Garden City https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-stanborough-park
8th February Trent Park https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-trent-park
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