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Mon 5th Aug at 7:00pm
Tower Hamlets Report written by Laura Williams
A sunny evening in Tower Hamlets saw a nice-sized group of GoodGymers gather round a large woodchip pile it turned out they would clear in no time.
Background to tonight's task
The Teesdale and Hollybush TRA are probably GG TH's longest standing task. Headed up by brilliant Margaret, and now Ash, GG are invited once, twice a month to join the dynamic duo to lend a hand with various projects on one of the Estate's many pretty garden areas.
Tonight we were helping redistribute old planter wood and spread a rather large pile of woodchip.
An early arrival time for some saw Ash and Margaret instructing the first arrivals on how best to distribute the woodchip.
With project management promptly handed over to John and Chris, the team wasted no time whittling the large pile away.
A flurry of late arrivals provided the perfect opportunity to introduce the second task - transporting a large stash of planks over to another part of the estate gardens, Rocky Park.
Trolley- fulls of logs were flying toward Rocky Park at a speedy rate: lats and delts got a workout to rival the finest upper body session.
The rest of the team joined this breakaway task, by which time it was game over for what was initially a large pile of planks.
Posing for a quick pic in the planters (as it sounds), we then headed to the pub for a self-congratulatory pint. Another superb night of productivity.
The shout-outs
A big warm welcome to Priscila who joined us for her first Monday night task.
Well done to Michael for a FANTASTIC GoodGym debut.
Massive thanks to John for organising tonight's post-task drink.
And a huge round of applause for Rohan, who co-wrote tonight's report; to Fiona for delivering another splendid pun, and the rest of the table at the Bethnal Green Tavern for chipping in for tonight's report.
You all rock.
Next week, we're pruning and bagging The BIg Hedge in Bethnal Green's Patriot Square.
You snooze, you lose...
Until then.
Mon 5th Aug at 7:00pm
Come and join this active task in the heart of Bethnal Green!
Read moreMon 29th Jul at 6:00pm
Tower Hamlets Report written by Fiona M
Task Force member Fiona writes:
Summer's here!
...And so were a large group of Goodgymers to help Larry finish the final landscaping task at the Yurt.
Welcome to all those new to Tower Hamlets Goodgym! (Michael, Matt, Anna).
When we arrived there was a mound of gravel towering high to be spread over the rocky path.
We split into teams, shovelling the gravel into the barrows and raking in all directions to cover all the larger stones.
After an hour and a half we could see a smooth, beautiful gravel path leading all the way down to the monastery garden. Good effort team!
We also had our painting team,Lucinda and Victoria, who worked their magic with the brushes and painted the entire fence at the back of the garden.
Having smashed through our allocated tasks, many hands then made light work loading up the skip with panels and planks.
We definitely got a good workout in the sun! And it was great to see the Yurt garden space looking lovely for everyone to enjoy, thanks in part, to our efforts on this project over the last few months :-)"
Mon 29th Jul at 6:00pm
We're heading back to Limehouse for the finishing touches of this fantastic garden project.
Read moreMon 22nd Jul at 6:45pm
Helping at Rowstock Gardens to prepare for future planting projects
Read moreMon 22nd Jul at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon caught up with Luke and Mehmet on a glorious Monday evening at the Arsenal Community Hub- still hitting mid 20° Celsius. Toasty running weather for a social run to the Camden Estate Community Gardens just off York Way- a new task location set up through a Goodgym HQ referral. Together, we enjoyed a jog and chat down George's Road, and through Caledonian Park. The park is due to host a lovely local festival in a few weeks- the Caledonian Park Clocktower Festival on Sunday 4th August (find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-clocktower-festival-tickets-923144619407).
Upon our arrival, we met with gardening volunteer Alain, and fellow Goodgymmers Anne, Alison, Martin and Dan. Our objective for the evening was to completely blitz an old plot of soil of any green waste and weeds (using hoes, forks, spades and trowels) ready for use by community gardeners. A huge job for a single person, but a far quicker effort by our enthusiastic crew! Throughout our session, we were observed by friendly cats, balcony dogs and curious children, wondering what the red shirted people were up to!
Planting highlights in the Camden Estate Community Gardens included a former bathtub made into a planter for cauliflowers, loads of beds full of chard, kale and spinach, a beautiful apple tree and a collection of handmade wooden children's toys being fixed around the tool shed. Within 50 minutes, our team had made a full transformation of the planting bed- absolutely excellent efforts everyone!
Next week we will return to Timbuktu Adventure Playground. Sign up here to get involved!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-return-trip-to-timbuktu-adventure-playground
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 25th July- Battersea Park
Thursday 1st August- Arsenal Emirates Stadium
Thursday 8th August- Stratford Olympic Park
Thursday 15th August- Green 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
Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 28th July, 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.
POST GROUP SESSION SOCIAL- Area Activator Simon celebrates 5 years!
Monday 12th August, 8.45pm, Someday Canteen, Finsbury Park
Area Activator Simon (formerly Trainer Simon) began leading sessions for Goodgym Islington 5 years ago, taking the reins from Goodgym legend Paul Bown (still active in GG Sheffield).
We invite you for good food, excellent refreshments and fun times at Someday Canteen. A pleasant 20 min walk from The Arsenal Community Hub, after our scheduled task!
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 3rd August
Saturday 10th August
Saturday 17th August
Mon 15th Jul at 6:45pm
Islington Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On Monday evening, Area Activator Simon caught up with a top crew of Goodgym runners outside the Arsenal Community Hub (including returning Goodgymmer Pete and first time group runner Martin - welcome!). Together, we chatted about our weekends and about favourite biscuits (chocolate hobnob was a clear winner) while warming up for a 1.5 mile run to Thornhill Square Gardens. We also took the opportunity to celebrate the recent birthdays of Caitlin, Dan and Simon!
We enjoyed a social chatty run up McKenzie Road towards Caledonian Road, and rolled into Thornhill Square Gardens in good time. Resident gardening expert Anna was thrilled to see so many runners, walkers and cyclists showing up to help out!
We split into 2 main groups: Group 1 helped used wheel barrows and shovels to gather up donated tree bark to scatter across the flower beds lining the park. The intention is to create a protective layer across the new plants and shrubs while they are growing, and to encourage mini beasts to make homes across the gardens! Group 2 took on the important task of trimming back and weeding out the main flower planters in the centre of the park. Goodgym had actually planted bushes in these beds about 6 months ago, so it was wonderful to see how well everything was growing!
The evening was perfect for slugs and snails (who were happy to enjoy some drizzly weather), but suddenly became excellent weather for ducks. A light rain became heavier towards the end of our session, so we chose to gather up tools and hunker down about 5 minutes early! Easily one of the heaviest rainfalls we had experienced at Goodgym Islington for a long time.
Amazingly, almost every one of our Goodgymmers joined us for a wet (but pleasantly warm) run back to the Emirates Stadium (splashing through huge puddles on route!). And it was wonderful to see so many participants staying behind to enjoy warm pizza and well deserved refreshments at The Victoria Tavern, Holloway Road. Well done everyone!
Next Week's Session
We will be visiting Camden Estate Gardens for a full green space clear up. Super satisfying task on the cards!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-camden-estate-community-food-gardens
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 18th July- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 25th July- Battersea Park
Thursday 1st August- Arsenal Emirates Stadium
--------‐-------------------------------
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
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
Penn Road Gardens Volunteer Open Day
Sunday 28th July, 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.
Post Group Run Social- Area Activator Simon celebrates 5 years!
Monday 12th August, 8.45pm, Someday Canteen, Finsbury Park
Area Activator Simon (formerly Trainer Simon) began leading sessions for Goodgym Islington 5 years ago, taking the reins from Goodgym legend Paul Bown (still active in GG Sheffield).
We invite you for excellent food, great refreshments and good times at Someday Canteen in Finsbury Park!
Mon 15th Jul at 6:45pm
Joining the lovely resident gardeners at Thornhill Square Gardens for an evening of composting, watering and maintenance
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