Caxton House
148 GoodGymers have supported Caxton House with 28 tasks.
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Previous sessions
Full House after The Big Half (Caxton House Community Gardens)
Monday 2nd September
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon was thrilled to catch up with 6 Goodgym legends at the Arsenal Community Hub (Emirates Stadium) last night, including returning Islington runner Ellie, Big Half finisher Louise and first time attendee Louise- welcome!
Together, we engaged in a dynamic warm up on the Emirates slopes (particularly useful for those with tired legs), before running up Sussex Way to Archway (approx 1.6 miles). Upon our arrival at Caxton House, we met with local volunteer coordinator Rose for a briefing and some much appreciated cups of water (very humid still!). Our first objective for the night was to admire the outcome of our Goodgym sessions in May, June and July 2024- a lovely planting spot and quiet garden space has been constructed out from the wild weeds, discarded plastic pipes and old dry soil at the back of the centre. Youngsters from the children's group helped with planting new bulbs and seeds last week, so we hope to see them flourish!
Our task for the evening was to help with clearing up the main entrance garden space- lovely and green, but overgrown over summer. Between us, we separated into 2 groups- group 1 assisted with using scrapers and trowels to pick out the weeds protruding from the paving slabs around the concourse. Group 2 used loppers and secateurs to trim back and remove the vines and tree branches that smothered the benches and searing areas. We kept sweeping up all green waste as we went, and easily filled 5 bags of weeds and moss by the end of our session.
A total transformation within 50 minutes of help- great job everyone!
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GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
Changes to Monday Group Sessions from September 2024
SEPTEMBER GROUP SESSIONS
Due to changes within Goodgym HQ, Area Activator Simon has agreed to lead a group run every fortnight, not weekly. However, a group session will still always be listed on a Monday, even if a group run is not included.
Here is a run down for September:
GROUP SESSIONS- SEPTEMBER 2024
Monday 9th September- Return to Caxton House Gardens- Community Mission 7.15pm, Task Location
Monday 16th September- Lighthouse Community Project- Group Run 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
Monday 23rd September- Thornhill Square Gardens- Community Mission 7.15pm, Task Location
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-thornhill-square-gardens
Monday 30th September- Hornsey Rise Playground- Group Run 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-sunnyside-community-centre
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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 5th September- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 12th September- Emirates Stadium
Thursday 19th September- Paddington Rec Track (Janice's Birthday Special)
Thursday 26th September- Stratford Olympic Park
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 7th September
Thornhill Square Gardens- September Workday
Saturday 7th September, 10am - midday, Thornhill Square Gardens
This is an open volunteer gardening morning set up by the Friends of Thornhill Square. As one of the largest public spaces in Islington without council maintenance assistance, extra pairs of hands for bulb planting, composting, litter picking and preparing flower beds would be hugely appreciated!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/thornhill-square-gardens-open-volunteer-morning-september
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Arachne Turkish and Cypriot Women's Group Refurbishment Project
Tuesdays, 6.30 - 8pm, Hercules Street, Holloway Road
"Arachne has recently had a small flood! We are still seing clients, but we would really value some help to wash down our office and community room walls and windows to get ready for a refurbishment. We might need support moving some office furniture. We will also be cleaning our shop front to look more welcoming for our clients and community."
Tuesday 17th September
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 14th September, 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.
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 15th September, 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-september-2024
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (September)
Saturday 21st September, 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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Camino Ultra London Lee Valley Eco Trail- Aid Station Superstars
Saturday 5th October, 9am onwards, Ranger's Retreat, Chingford DaznBone (aka Darren Strachan and David Bone) and the Camino Ultra team are putting together the logistics for their next 50km ultra race (running from Wanstead Flats, up the green corridor to Epping Forest and back), and have invited the Goodgym crew to get involved!
On the course, there will be 4 major aid stops, and we have been invited to take over the first refresh point and the penultimate aid station.
This will involve providing water and snacks to runners of all abilities during the key stages of their race, and to support them with smiling faces and enthusiasm!
Goodgym Race Team Big 4- Love Luton RunFest 2024
Sunday 13th October, 8.45am onwards, Luton Town Centre
This 5k, 10k, and half marathon around the streets of Luton is a popular road race with GoodGym. Join us for this 4th and final official GoodGym race team race of 2024. Big Goodgym running crew meet up to be expected!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/love-luton-love-luton-runfest-2024
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 £6!
Newbies encouraged and welcomed- the most fun you can have running over the Winter months!
Fixtures
12th October Claybury https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-claybury-3aab4cb8-8f15-4d0d-a0ed-126cdf50e85e
9th November Horsenden Hill https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country
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
Fully Booked at Caxton House Sensory Garden
Monday 1st July
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
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
Pot Shots : Part Deux
Monday 6th May
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Last night, Area Activator Simon has joined by 6 fellow keen Goodgymmers (including first timers Ralph and Vaughan) for a special Bank Holiday edition of the Goodgym Islington group session! Ralph, Dan and Mehmet joined Simon for a walk to Caxton House Community Centre on St John's Way, passing a very friendly cat on route (who proceeded to walk on AA Simon's shoulders- silly thing!).
Upon our arrival, we met with Caitlin, Emily and Vaughan, and were greeted by Rose and the local volunteer gardening team. Peter, one of the regular volunteers, thanked us personally for moving freshly dug soil from Caledonian Park over to his potato plot last week- a small world! We split up into a few groups- Dan and Mehmet set about wheel barrowing bags of collected (good quality) soil from a former flower bed over to a Hippo bag behind Caxton House. The plan is that a crane will move these several tonnes of soil over to another local project.
Meanwhile, Ralph, Caitlin and Vaughan continued our ongoing digging task- removing as much soil as possible from the back garden space. The plan is to reconstruct this area to be used as a quiet spot for children and families (especially those with additional needs). We successfully pulled out some very tricky rooted bushes, and the last of the old plastic piping (dubbed "the sand worm" after our previous trip) out of the ground. Exceptional efforts, everyone!
Emily was tasked to prepare a collection of plant pots for the future planting project. These rejected pots were donated to Caxton House due to a defect- a hole had to be physically cut out of the bottom of each pot using a small mallet! About 7 plants were given new homes during our 50 minute visit, and Emily even found time to gather up more sycamore seeds from the surrounding beds and paving slabs- keeping the invasive saplings at bay!
Congratulations everyone. Thanks for coming out on the Bank Holiday, even despite the changeable weather!
Next Week's Group Session!
I am thrilled to announce that we will return to the Emirates Stadium for our group run session next Monday. Area Activator Simon will lead a social paced run to Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens.
And afterwards, we will visit The Highbury Library for a post run social!
A special celebration for Dan's 50th and Caitlin's 100th Good Deeds!
GROUP RUN- Highbury Quadrant Green Space Garden Maintenance - RETURN OF GROUP RUNS! -
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!
Thursday 9th May- Paddington Rec Track (Maida Vale underground)
Thursday 16th May- Battersea Park (Battersea Power Station Underground)
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/achilles-international-vi-guide-running-battersea-park
Thursday 23rd May- Emirates Stadium (Arsenal Underground)
Thursday 30th May- Stratford Olympic Park (Stratford Underground)
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British Blind Sports Walk Series- Hyde Park
Tuesday 7th May, 11am - 1pm, Hyde Park Corner
Part of a series of walks lead by British Blind Sports- social paced with local visually impaired neighbours!
This time, we will be visiting Jubilee Parade and Hyde Park together.
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/british-blind-sport-walking-group-hyde-park
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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
Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning
Saturday 11th May, 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!
Post Group Run Social- May!
Monday 13th May, 8.45pm, The Highbury Library
Our monthly post group run meet up- at a smashing spot in Drayton Park. Join us after our trip to Highbury Quadrant Estate!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/post-group-run-social-highbury-library
The ARC Centre Riverside Gardens
Friday 17th 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/happenings/the-arc-centre-riverside-gardens
Night of the 10,000m PBs- Volunteer marshals for the UK athletics party of the year!
Saturday 18th May, 2pm - 10pm, Parliament Hill Track
Help the UK's premier grassroots athletic event go ahead on Parliament Hill!
The event is an annual full day of endurance distance racing with the most competitive runners on the scene. These races have been listed as part of the European 10,000m qualification criteria, so some incredible running will be on show!
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (February)
Saturday 18th May, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!
Hackney Half Volunteer Aid Station!
Sunday 19th April, 7am - 1pm, Hackney Marshes Centre
Help our fellow runners at this incredible local half marathon party! Join the Goodgym team at an official water and aid station to cheer on the participants!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/hackney-half-aid-station-volunteering
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 19th May, 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-may-2024
British Blind Sports Walk Series- Highgate Woods
Sunday 19th May, 11am - 1pm, Highgate Underground Station
Part of a series of walks lead by British Blind Sports- social paced with local visually impaired neighbours!
This time, we will be visiting the Parkland Walk and Finsbury Park together.
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/british-blind-sport-walking-group-highgate-woods
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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.
Disturbing the Soil Worms
Monday 15th April
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
A Return to Caxton House Community Gardens
This week, Area Activator Simon caught up with 9 Goodgymmers from all across town between Archway underground station and Caxton House Community Gardens. Continuing our regular walking groups (runs will return on Monday 13th May!), our team arrived outside the centre and met with Rose and a big crowd of local volunteers, all on hand to help out for an evening of lifting and shifting.
The plan is to make a start on building a lovely new sensory garden- ready for new bulbs and plants to be prepared in June (we will definitely be returning to help out!). First things first, our crew picked up shovels and forks to dig up masses of old soil, and bagging the mud up for other projects. Emre did a smashing job of wheelbarrowing the full bags to the garden entrance gate, ready of pick up. Emily and Sally also helped with weeding the pavements on the main courtyard, and gathering sycamore seeds from the surfaces (these can be invasive and quick growing- best to pick them up ASAP!).
After 45 minutes of digging and jaffa cakes, our crew successfully pulled out an abundance of plastic piping, left behind from previous garden users. A difficult job, very well done! Excellent work everyone.
Together, we walked back toward the underground station, before popping in for refreshments, pizza and Scrabble at The Archway Tavern for our monthly social.
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!
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Thursday 18th April- The Big Battersea Park London Marathon Meet Up!
Thursday 25th April- Stratford Olympic Park
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Thursday 2nd May- Green Park
Thursday 9th May- Paddington Rec Track (Maida Vale underground)
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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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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (April)
Saturday 20th April, 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 April, 11am - 1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park, Greenways
Our annual 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-april-2024
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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 27th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/highbury-quadrant-greening-with-elizabeth-house
Saturday 4th May
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Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 28th April, 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.
Night of the 10,000m PBs- Volunteer marshals for the UK athletics party of the year!
Saturday 18th May, 2pm - 10pm, Parliament Hill Track
Help the UK's premier grassroots athletic event go ahead on Parliament Hill!
The event is an annual full day of endurance distance racing with the most competitive runners on the scene. These races have been listed as part of the European 10,000m qualification criteria, so some incredible running will be on show!
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
Painting and Pancake Talk
Monday 28th February 2022
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On a slightly wet Monday evening, Area Activator Simon was joined by Laura and Katie at Elizabeth House Food Hub for a run across the borough. After a warm up and a chat, we departed towards the Emirates Stadium (passing dog walkers, personal trainers and boxing coaches still outside despite the rain), and up Sussex Way to Caxton House Community Centre.
Upon our arrival, Rose (the volunteer coordinator) had already put a few of our Highgate and Archway based Goodgymmers to work. Guro had offered to help with some outdoor tasks, such as pruning and sweeping up the cuttings from the overgrown bushes lining the entrance of the community centre. Rose and Guro really did a smashing job of this- the transformation was super clear to see! All being well, we will return to help out with more outdoor tasks in April.
Inside the centre, the rest of our crew (Alison, Emily and Caitlin) were busy painting the insides of a new sewing and textiles room. This was our fourth time returning to this task, after taking a step back due to indoor activity guidance, and we were really keen to apply the final touches to the base coat. Since we were painting straight onto brick work, it was really important that we really cover the whole room really efficiently, to make the second coat look nice and consistent.
Rose and Jonas were thrilled with our continued efforts towards this project, and are excited to see the textile room coming together. We celebrated a solid evening of Goodgymming with a cup of squash or two and a few chocolates offered by the Caxton House team, while talking about our potential pancake toppings for Pancake Day tomorrow!
Lemon and sugar came out on top as a favourite recipe, but maple syrup was a close second.
Next week, we will be setting off from Elizabeth House Food Hub over to Highbury Quadrant Estate for a litter picking and flyering session for Birchmore Hall Community Centre. Sign up here to get involved!
NEWS
Post Run Pizza Next Week
After our session at Birchmore Hall, we are planning on visiting The Bank of Friendship pub on Highbury Park Hill for pizza and refreshments.
Sign up here to confirm your attendance:
Thornhill Square Gardens Saturday Volunteering Morning
On Saturday, we will be returning to help the lovely Anna and the Friends of Thornhill Square Gardens with for monthly gardening maintenance morning. A great way to start the weekend!
Sign up here to get involved:
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/thornhill-square-gardens-open-volunteer-morning-march
If you Steve Lee me now
Monday 21st February 2022
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
As Area Activator Simon was walking down Blackstock Road, he bumped into two runners sporting Goodgym tops looking for Elizabeth House Food Bank on Hurlock Street. "You've missed the turning", he said, and promptly jogged with Alison and GG Bristol legend Maria to our group run start point. Katie joined our running crew as well, and together we ran the 2.3 miles past the Emirates Stadium and up Sussex Way to Caxton House.
Upon our arrival, the community centre was already full of activity! Alex and first timer Guro (welcome and thank you for joining us tonight!) were busy with cutting and trimming a mass of over grown bushes and weeds around the entrance of Caxton House. Benedetta and Katie took to painting the interiors of the new sewing and textile room (a task we started before the rise of Covid infections in early 2022, and are so happy to continue). Steve and Caitlin became our in-house engineers for the evening, and successfully built a flat pack shelving unit for the new room, while also identifying a collection of parts that were mis-sized. Hopefully we will have some replacements in time for next week!
As we closed for the evening, we found out that Goodgym Islington superstar Steve had just run his final Goodgym task in Islington as a resident, and will be moving down to New Cross very soon. Sad to not see you with such regularity, but definitely not goodbye (as is the nature of Goodgym). We hope to visit you soon!
NEWS:
Headtorch Group Run- Muswell Hill and Ally Pally
Area Activator Simon will be leading a headtorch group run on Friday evening, following the Parkland Walk to Alexandra Palace. Some of the best views in London- all paces welcome!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/headtorch-group-run-highgate-muswell-hill-alexandra-palace
Penn Road Gardens Monthly Visit
On Sunday, a crew of Goodgym runners will be helping the local residents around Penn Road to maintain their lovely community space.
Any time between 10am - 12 midday on Sunday 27th February.
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-february
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