Monday 27th May
SESSION ORGANISER
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Report written by Simon Fitzmaurice
Area Activator Simon met up with Caitlin, Emily and Mehmet for a special Bank Holiday edition group session, starting in Clissold Park on a lovely bright Monday evening. Instead of our usual group run to a task location, Simon set up a series of fitness games instead of our usual dynamic warm up at Emirates Stadium.
Game 1- Cups and Cones
Each of our runners are given an equal number of sports cones, and lay them out facing base upwards (like a cup) around their "base".
Within 3 minutes, each of our runners try to flip over as many of the opponents "cones" as possible, while they flip them back to "cup" position. The winner is the person with the most "cups" remaining.
Game 2- Wild Cards
Area Activator Simon brought a pack of cards for this game, and allocated the following suits to different core circuit exercises:
Diamonds- "Bird Dog" x 10 (5 on each side)
Spades- "Lunge Ups" x 10 (5 on each side)
Hearts- Seated March x 20 (10 on each leg)
Clubs- Hamstring Sweeps x 10 (5 for each side)
Royalty- Squat Jumps x 5
Our participants were given 5 minutes to complete as many exercises as they could, while running a recovery jog around a tree between each draw of a card.
Highbury Quadrant Estate Gardens
After our workout session, we walked together to the lovely Highbury Quadrant Estate Meadows, meeting with Frannie, Elizabeth House's gardening expert (and briefly an adorable 11 month old Border Terrier pup called Betty!). Together, we were given the final batch of flyers for the upcoming London Open Gardens Festival, on 7th-8th June. A unique opportunity to visit private and community garden spaces all across the capital.
https://londongardenstrust.org/whatson/london-open-gardens-2024/
And our team delivered these across the immediate tower blocks surrounding Highbury Quadrant, up and down the mezzanine steps. Done and dusted in no time!
As an extra task for the evening, we made our way over to the community orchard, where a large pile of logs had been donated by a local tree surgeon. So we laid out a very smart looking edge around the wildflower gardens to establish a pathway through the orchard. Ready for visitors at London Open Gardens in two weeks time!
Well done everyone. I hope you had a smashing Bank Holiday!
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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 30th May- Stratford Olympic Park
Thursday 6th June- Green Park
Thursday 13th June- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 20th June- Battersea Park
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
Camden Estate Community Food Gardens- Rostock Gardens
Sunday 2nd June, 10.30am - 12.30pm, Rostock Gardens
A special referral from Camden Estate Community Food Gardens!
The team are looking for some Goodgym help to dig over a small patch of ground to get it ready for planting.
Other tasks include:
Cleaning the greenhouse
Treating the wooden decking area with protective varnish
If possible, planting up a collection of veg plants!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/camden-estate-community-food-gardens-rostock-gardens
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Lighthouse Community Group- Uplifting a new living space for residents!- Morning Task
The Lighthouse Foundation sent a special referral to Goodgym Islington!
The team will be meeting at over Evershot Street, Stroud Green for an early morning, pre-work task!
This location is in need of some attention, ready for new residents to move in.
Expected tasks would include:
Clearing the space as best we can
Moving few heavy things around to new locations
Tending to the garden space at the back
Wednesday 5th June:
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/evershot-community-building-up-challenge-morning-task
Wednesday 12th June:
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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 1st June-
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Compton Terrace Gardens Open Volunteer Morning
Saturday 8th June, 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!
Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (June)
Saturday 15th June, 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 16th June, 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-june-2024
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Dulwich Runners- Midsummer Relays 2024
Wednesday 19th June, 6.45 - 8.45pm, Dulwich Park
Dulwich Runners have a proud history of organising summer races in Dulwich Park to support and publicise the Club in the South London community.
Goodgym are planning on entering at least one relay team to this awesome grass roots event!
Feel free to organise teams of 3 in advance, or we can try to form teams of individuals from sign ups to this page.
All abilities welcomed and encouraged!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/dulwich-runners-midsummer-relays-2024
Guide Runners and Supporters needed for Metro Blind Sport Athletics 2024
Sunday 29th June, 10am - 5pm, Mile End Athletics Track
We are proud of the Metro Games, the only remaining national athletics event specifically for visually impaired people. It’s a great opportunity to take part in athletics at a great facility, have fun, making new friends and catching up with some old friends!
All abilities, ages and sight levels are welcome!
Islington
Be a sighted runner and explore the world of guide running!