Camden Estate Community Food Garden
A small garden of passionate food growers
Our community garden was developed on a neglected piece of land in 2013 with the aim to offer local residents the opportunity to grow a range of sessional vegetables and fruit. The focus of the garden is to develop community relationships and social interaction by sharing skills, knowledge and promoting the benifits of spending time outdoors.11 GoodGymers have supported Camden Estate Community Food Garden with 2 tasks.
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Previous sessions
Greenery Gathering at Camden Estate Gardens
Monday 16th December 2024
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On a lovely mild Monday evening (thankfully not as blustery as last time!), Area Activator Simon met Caitlin, Louise and Ivo at the Arsenal Community Hub. Together, we ran through the neighbourhood back streets and along Camden Road to at wonderful Camden Estate Gardens, off Rowstock Gardens. Goodgym Islington regular Matt and local gardening expert Michelle met us on the corner, and directed us to this great urban growing project.
Michelle was thrilled to have our team visit before the Christmas Holidays, as the community gardening space was full of fallen leaves and foliage (especially after the recent store). Our team got straight to work by picking up gloves, rakes and spades, and gathering up the green waste into tightly packed heavy duty bags. Our 7 completely filled bags are due to be left in place throughout the rest of Winter, ready to be used for planting in 2025.
Within 50 minutes, we had swept up almost every fallen left within the gardens- absolutely smashing job, everyone! Three of our team continued to run back to The Emirates Stadium together, passing one of our favourite task locations on route (Penn Road Gardens). We certainly hope to return to Rowstock Gardens again next year, so watch this space!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN DECEMBER
Group Session- Islington Street- O, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub, Monday 30th December
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/goodgym-islington-special-street-o-challenge
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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!
19th December- Paddington Rec Track (and Post Run Xmas Party- The Carlton Tavern)
Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 17th December, 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!
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
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
Camden Border Caulis
Monday 22nd July 2024
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
