Friends of Caledonian Park
The Friends maintain and care for key areas of the park; represent park users, and help protect the amenities and wildlife of the park.
The Friends maintain and care for the two wildlife gardens to the north-west corner of the park, the community orchard at the south-west of the field; help tend the raised square beds at the South gate, and also plant bulbs and flowers around the park!111 GoodGymers have supported Friends of Caledonian Park with 21 tasks.
Top supporters
Previous sessions
Great Run, Top Soil, Good Gym
Monday 26th August
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon met with Luke and Mehmet at the Arsenal Community Hub for a lovely Bank Holiday Monday Goodgym session. Despite the centre being closed up, the crew still made the most of a solid 1 mile run together towards Caledonian Park (last training runs for The Big Half on Sunday for Mehmet and Simon!). On route, the team bumped into Sebastian, and Goodgym Camden legends John and Jacqueline before approaching the famous Caledonian Clock Tower.
Miriam (friend of Caledonian Park) met us by the Tollacre Café- the finishing line for Cally Park Junior parkrun- and explained our project for the evening. Our plan was to use our lifting and shifting skills to wheelbarrow many loads of wood chip, top soil and re-purposed mulch from Finsbury Park to various locations in the park. The premium top soil was transported to the children's play area near the clock tower itself. And the mulch, soil and chop were wheeled across Market Road (south of the park) to Lumpy Hill Playground, into a fresh new planter and within the play area itself. Wheel barrows and former refuse trolleys were used to complete the job- we were able to leave 2 wheelbarrows full of soil at the playground ready for schoolchildren to use for planting on Tuesday morning too!
Great job everyone, see you all at Caxton House Community Centre next week!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
GROUP SESSIONS- SEPTEMBER 2024
Monday 2nd September- Caxton House Community Gardens- Group Run 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
Monday 9th September- Timbuktu Adventure Playground- 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 29th August- Battersea Park
Thursday 5th September- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 12th September- Emirates Stadium
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 31st August
Saturday 7th September
Thornhill Square Gardens- September Workday
Saturday 1st 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 3rd September
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
(Moving) Rock Around The Clock
Monday 29th April
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On an absolutely beautiful Monday evening (bright, sunny, gorgeous!), 13 keen Goodgymmers walked, cycled and ran to meet with Area Activator Simon outside Caledonian Road Underground Station. At this time, our usual group runs have been switched out with community walks from transport links, until Simon is ready to run again! Together, we walked up Market Road, and towards Caledonian Park (well known for its stunning clock tower!).
On route, we met with Miriam, the resident gardening expert and vokunteer lead for the park, pushing wheelbarrows to our meeting point. Our crew were happy to jump in and help out. The project for the evening was to move as much mulch, soil and bark chip as possible from a donated pile of useful gardening material in the middle of the park. The soil was wheel barrowed to the new pond and vegetable garden plots, after being shoveled by our team. Green turf and grass were collected and saved, and piled up for future greenery projects. We also helped with separating the gravel and bark chip from the soil, as this material will be used for forest pathways around the Caledonian Park Junior parkrun course!
Within 45 minutes, we had had done a stellar job of separating these materials, and shifting the soil to the correct locations. Well done everyone!
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 2nd May- Green Park
Thursday 9th May- Paddington Rec Track (Maida Vale 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
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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 4th May
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.
Rufous helped us move BARK BARK BARK chips
Monday 25th March
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon met with 6 local Goodgymmers (including first timers Bonnie and Florence- welcome!), and Rufous, a lively 10 year old border terrier at Caledonian Road Underground Station. We were all super excited to enjoy Easter Breaks and good times over the next week- trips abroad were planned, time away from classrooms and visits back home to see family- lovely stuff!
Together we walked to Caledonian Park, and met with the wonderful Gail, (who some of us know from Caledonian Park Junior parkrun) by the Tollacre Café and under the beautiful Victorian clock tower. Our objective for the evening was to shovel up as much bark chip as possible over the course of an hour, and to lay it on the new pathways around the woodlands near Market Road. The volunteer team have been really keen to allow this great North London park to be as accessible as possible for visitors during the Spring and Summer months.
Our crew did a smashing job over the course of the evening, and really contributed to this huge task. Well done everyone!
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GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
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Highbury Quadrant Good Morning Lifting and Shifting
Friday 29th March, 8.30am, Highbury Quadrant Meadow
Helping the lovely team at Highbury Quadrant (near Clissold Park) with a new compost delivery. Many hands make light work!
Volunteer at Caledonian junior parkrun- Easter Holiday edition
Sunday 31st March, 8.45am, Caledonian Park
Encourage a new generation of parkrunners with Goodgym positivity! Free weekly timed 2km run on Easter Sunday, for youngsters aged 4 - 14 years old.
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/volunteer-at-caledonian-junior-parkrun-easter-holiday-edition
Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 31st March, 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.
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!
Special Runthrough Chase The Sun 5km/10km Battersea Park event with Achilles International
Wednesday 27th March, 5.45pm, Battersea Power Station Underground Station
Testing out a new potential group run location for all abilities and accessibilities sports charity! And celebrating a smashing regular running event!
Thursday 28th March- Stratford Olympic Park, Stratford Underground station (Westfield exit)
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Thursday 4th April- Paddington Rec Track, Maida Vale Underground station
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Thursday 18th April- The Big Battersea Park London Marathon Meet Up!
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 Volunteer Open Morning - April
Saturday 13th April, 10am - 1pm, Union Chapel
Monthly community gardening mornings with the Friends of Compton Terrace Gardens.
A smashing community mission for those partaking in Highbury Fields or Finsbury parkrun on a Saturday morning!
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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Shifting soil was a Barrow of laughs
Monday 5th February
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On a blustery but surprisingly warm February evening, Area Activator Simon was joined by Dan and Mehmet for a round trip from Emirates Stadium, to Caledonian Park and back. Together we ran past Penn Road Gardens, and past the Pleasance Theatre, up to the Tolpuddle Cafe on the North side of the famous Caledonian Park Clocktower (renovated as a remaining feature of the original cattle market on this site).
Upon our arrival, we met with Miriam, a local superstar gardener who helps with the upkeep of Cally Park. She is also a regular as Caledonian Park Junior parkrun- see the Goodgym Islington News section below for more details. Our task for the evening involved shoveling from a large mound of donated soil from Highbury Fields, and wheel barrowing the dirt over towards the lovely pond at the top of the park. Between the three of us, we were able to form a chain of motion, and really efficiently moved 1 and a half full builder's merchant sacks of soil within 45 minutes- a remarkable effort within a short amount of time!
Well done everyone. We will be visiting Elizabeth House Food Hub next week, to help with half term deliveries of essential supplies for local families. Sign up here to get involved!
Goodgym Islington News
The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!
Various parks and gardens on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.
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
Hillside Gardens, Caxton House Next Thursday- 10am - midday
Market Road Gardens Next Friday- 10am - midday
Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 8th February, 6pm, Maida Vale Underground station
Every Thursday, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location. This week, we will be meeting up at Maida Vale tube station, ready to run around Paddington Rec Track. Open to runners and guides of all abilities! Follow the link to get involved:
ON Running and JENKI run club- Thursday morning matcha runs!
Thursday 8th February, 7am, ON Running Spitalfields, Brushfield Street
Area Activator Simon has set up a series of morning runs, hosted on Thursday mornings at the new ON Running store in Spitalfields market.
A social 5km before work, with the option to take out a pair of ON Running shoes for a test spin. Followed by hot drinks provided by the team at JENKI, Brushfield Street.
Next run is on Thursday 8th February:
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/jenki-matcha-with-on-running-spitalfields-group
Goodgym Race Team- Met League Cross Country no.5- Trent Park
Saturday 10th February, 12 midday onwards, Trent Park
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!). Open to all Goodgym Race Team members!
Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning
Saturday 10th February, 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!
Caledonian Junior parkrun Half Term Helpers
Sunday 11th and 18th February, 8.45am, Caledonian Park
Come and help local families and 4-14 year old youngsters with running a free weekly timed 2km course around Caledonian Park!
Sunday 11th February:
Sunday 18th February:
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (February)
Saturday 17th February, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task!
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/friends-of-canonbury-square-volunteer-morning-february
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 18th February, 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/happenings/crouch-end-open-space-creos-volunteering-day-february-2024
Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 25th February, 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.
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Rake it until you make it
Monday 27th November 2023
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On one of the chilliest nights of Winter so far, 5 superstar Goodgym folks met with Area Activator Simon in the Arsenal Community Hub for our Monday group run across the borough. This week, we planned to run together to Caledonian Park, a beautiful green space just by the Islington/Camden border. After a quality dynamic warm up, we ran a full mile together up Mackenzie Road, past Market Road Gardens and over to the famous Caledonian Park clock tower.
Upon our arrival, we met with Miriam, the main volunteer coordinator for the park (and frequent Caledonian Park junior parkrun event organiser) outside the Tolpuddle Café. She was in the park halls for a choir rehearsal, but was happy to bring rakes and leaf grabbers for tonight's task. Our plan was to clear a full pathway towards the south of the park- a nature walkway that Goodgym Islington had helped with building in the past. The fallen leaves had completely hidden this lovely pathway, so our team pitched in a solid 45 minutes of energetic raking to bring the space back to normal. We were able to complete the objective by 8pm exactly- a job well done!
Congratulations everyone!
Goodgym Islington News
The Garden Classroom- Weekly Volunteer Mornings in Islington Parks!
Various parks and gardens on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.
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
Hillside Gardens, Caxton House Next Thursday- 10am - midday
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/the-garden-classroom-hillside-park-volunteer-morning
Market Road Gardens Next Friday- 10am - midday
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Met League Cross Country - Uxbridge
Saturday 2nd December, 12 midday, Hillingdon Athletics Stadium
Run with GoodGym for some cross country racing- the 3rd fixture of the amazing Met League season. Approximately 7-8 km of muddy fun, open to all!
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Caledonian Junior parkrun
Sunday 3rd December, 8.45am, Caledonian Park
Come and help local families and 4-14 year old youngsters with running a free weekly timed 2km course around Caledonian Park!
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Freightliner's Farm Sunday Special- December
Sunday 3rd December, 11.30-1pm, Sheringham Road, Islington
We are so happy to be invited back to the wonderful Freightliner's Farm just off Paradise Park for our first regular weekend volunteering day!
The team will be on hand to offer some animal friendly tasks around the site.
Sign up here:
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/freightliner-s-farm-sunday-special
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Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day (December 2023)- Christmas Special!
Sunday 3rd December, 11am - 1pm, Hanley Tennis Club Car Park, Greenways
Our final trip to CREOS this year for a woodland regeneration- loads of digging and wheelbarrowing to be expected! Followed by a local festive picnic with the regular volunteer crew.
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Achilles International VI Guide Running Sessions- Emirates Stadium
Thursday 7th December, 6pm, Arsenal Underground station
Every Thursday, the all abilities sports charity Achilles International holds a group run session at a London location. This week, we will be meeting up at Arsenal tube station, ready to run around the Emirates Stadium concourse. Open to runners and guides of all abilities! Follow the link to find out more:
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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (December Xmas Special!)
Saturday 16th December, 10am, Canonbury Square Gardens
Lending a hand with this beautiful neighbourhood maintained garden in Islington, a perfect post-parkrun task! This will be the December Xmas special too, so come and enjoy some festivities!
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Goodgym Islington’s Final Group Run and Social of 2024!
Monday 18th December, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub
On the last group run of the year, Area Activator Simon will be leading a festive run to just a few of Islington's 121 green spaces (as listed by The Garden Classroom). Our objective is to try and record a visit to each one by the end of the January challenge!
And afterwards, we are going to enjoy a social visit to Non Vietnamese, Holloway Road for delicious soup, noodles and refreshments!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-christmas-tour-of-islington
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-run-social-december-non-vietnamese-islington
Cally On My Wayward Son
Monday 1st May 2023
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
We apologise for this simplified version of the run report today- the GG website is having some issues
On our first of 3 Bank Holiday Mondays of May, Area Activator Simon met with 7 other keen Goodgym runners and cyclists from many London boroughs at our alternative meet-up location, The Gym Group on Caledonian Road. This proved to be a wise choice, as a football match was on at the Emirates Stadium down the road (our usual start point)!
Our crew jogged together up Market Road, and met with Miriam, head volunteer for the Friends of Caledonian Park (and frequent event director for Caledonian Park junior parkrun). Together, we rolled a collection of wheelbarrows over to the park (borrowed from The Lumpy Hill Adventure Playground). Upon our arrival at the famous Caledonian Park Clock Tower, we were met with 9 tonnes of compacted soil and woodchip, delivered over the weekend. Our objective for the evening was to move as much fresh soil as possible over to some newly refreshed flower beds and the glorious wildflower pond space to the west side of the park. From here, local volunteers (usually retired helpers who live on the estate) will continue to make the area look incredible!
Within 50 minutes, we had successfully moved a full 1 tonne bag of soil, and almost the entirety of a second bag- which is super impressive! Well done!
We ended our session with the first attempt at the “Cally Park Time Trial”- a 600m run around the perimeter of the park itself from clock tower to clock tower. The same route is used for junior parkrun every Sunday at 9am, so it was great to give it a go as a social run together!
Find out more about the history of the Caledonian Road Clock Tower and original market place here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caledonian_Park_Clock_Tower
NEWS
Track Attack goes to Victoria Dock! Sunday 7th May, 11am, The Good Hotel, Victoria Dock
Our monthly Sunday morning time trial will be hosted at the awesome Victoria Dock (by the Excel Centre). 5km and/or 1 mile distances will be available to run as part of our social timed running event. Runners of all abilities and paces welcome! We always finish with coffee and breakfast too!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-attack-coronation-weekend-workout-at-victoria-dock
GROUP RUN- The ARC Centre Foodbank Flyering Monday 8th May, 6.45pm, The Gym Group Caledonian Road
Another Bank Holiday group run, this time joining our friends at The ARC Centre near De Beauvoir. We will be distributing flyers regarding news about the foodbank project within the Packington Estate.
Sign up here for more information: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-the-arc-centre-foodbank-flyering
Octopus Community Network- Post parkrun digging and weeding at St Mary's Church, Hornsey Rise Saturday 13th May, 10.30am, St Mary’s Church
An awesome digging, lifting and shifting (and light weeding) task with the lovely folks from Octopus Community Network- a short run from Finsbury Park or Highbury Fields for those enjoying a parkrun!
GROUP RUN- Rose Bowl Youth Club Monday 15th May, 6.45pm, The Arsenal Community Hub
Goodgym Islington will be returning to the wonderful Rose Bowl Youth Club, with Dawn and the team. We will be preparing the playground and the upper roof garden event space ready for Summer Time activities in the local community!
Sign up here:
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-rose-bowl-youth-club-returns
POST GROUP RUN SOCIAL MAY- The Swimmer N7 Monday 15th May, 8.45pm, The Swimmer
Following our group run to The Rose Bowl Youth Club, we will be visiting The Swimmer N7, a wonderful local pub just up the road from The Emirates Stadium. A great opportunity to catch up with our fellow Goodgymmers after the Bank Holiday!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-run-social-may-the-swimmer
Crouch End Open Space- Forest Path Building Sunday 21st May- 11am to 1pm- Crouch End
On Sunday, we will be returning to one of our favourite local community missions- CREOS aka Crouch End Open Space- a forest path building and maintenance session with the Friends of CREOS and The Conservation Volunteers. We will be looking after the beautiful woodland walk way between Highgate and Muswell Hill. Often combined with a picnic provided by Crouch End residents!
Night of the 10,000m PBs- The highlight of the UK Athletics calendar year- here in London!!!! Saturday 20th May, 2-10pm, Parliament Hill Track
The most incredible event in UK track racing returns to Parliament Hill for 2023- hosted by Ben Pochee and Highgate Harriers.
The absolute elite of UK and European 10,000m endurance distance racing will be competing live for places on the Commonwealth Games roster and other incredible opportunities. It will be a free party for anyone interested in the running scene (and most importantly an introduction for non-runners too!). Check it out here, you won't regret it!!! https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/night-of-the-10-000m-pbs-saturday-show-time-volunteers!
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