Caxton House
159 GoodGymers have supported Caxton House with 32 tasks.
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Goodgymmers on the Loo-se
Monday 24th February
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
The Goodgym Islington crew returned to the lovely Caxton House Community Centre last night, to help with assist with further renovations of this busy hub of activity. 7 Goodgymmers from Islington, Barnet and Camden met with Area Activator Simon and task owner Rose for this ongoing indoors project.
Over 30 charities, groups and workshops operate within Caxton House, alongside activities like archery, cooking lessons, repair shops and sewing studios.
Check out the Caxton House website here: https://caxtonhouse.org/
Our task for the evening involved refurbishing the upstairs bathrooms, ready for a re-fit later this year. Since our Goodgym team were available on Monday evening, we were free to make as much noise as we liked while breaking away old tiles, and giving all of the walls and radiators a fresh lick of paint. We divided our crew into two groups to work on the ladies and the gents restrooms.
As a thank you for our quick efficient work, we were offered hobnobs and donated bakery goods as a treat. Along with a tour of the beautiful sewing room set up for workshops during the week (and weekends soon!). Goodgym Islington had helped with painting the walls of the craft room too, so it was lovely to see that our hard work had really paid off!
Congratulations everyone. We will be running from the Arsenal Community Hub to Rose Bowl Youth Club next Monday. We hope to see you then.
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN MARCH
Group Run- Rose Bowl Youth Club 6.45pm, Rose Bowl Youth Club Monday 3rd March
Community Mission- Sunnyside Community Gardens 7.15pm, Sunnyside Community Gardens, Monday 10th March
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-sunnyside-community-gardens-composting
Group Run- Lighthouse Community Gardening Project, 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub Monday 17th March
Community Mission- Hornsey Rise Kickabout Playground, 7.15pm, Hornsey Rise Kickabout Playground, Monday 24th March
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-hornsey-rise-kickabout-playground
Community Mission- Barnsbury Square Gardens 7.15pm, Barnsbury Square Gardens Monday 7th April
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-friends-of-barnsbury-square-gardens
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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!
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 27th February https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-f84dc6a2-273c-474c-bd46-5e29cc1d7268
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 7th March https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-a6f34119-2ee1-423c-af26-d1ef84572c61
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 14th March https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-84f58337-118e-4cd7-93e1-4710a9923494
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Track and Towpath Social Running Sessions
Every Wednesday (fortnightly), 7.30am, Mile End Athletics Track
If you are looking for accessible training sessions that can be included in your schedule, then come and join Area Activator Simon for his fortnightly runs.
Track training is always more fun with others, and these are designed to be sociable and open to all!
Structured training sessions, followed by refreshments at The Yurt Café, Limehouse!
Wednesday 3rd March
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/track-towpath-morning-social-track-session-mile-end-5
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Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 25th February, 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!
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Green Guardians Spring Sessions
The Garden Classroom, Newington Green
Wednesday 26th February
Next session:
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Market Road Gardens
Tuesday 25th February
Next Session:
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Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 8th March, 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.
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Camino Ultra London- Lea Valley Races Finish Line Party!
Saturday 29th March, 12 midday, Here East, Stratford
The Camino Ultra London 50km and Gratitude 25km returns for 2025, stretching from Welwyn Garden City, to Ware, and then down the Lea Valley to our finishing line in Hackney Wick (Here East).
Race organisers Darren Strachan and David Bone aka DaznBone would love to invite the Goodgym community back to bring excitement and positivity to our runners, as they finish their races.
The theme is: Bring The Party!!!
Cowbells, cheers, noise makers, music and fun!
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Hackney Half Aid Station and Marshal Volunteering
Sunday 18th May, 7am onwards, Marion Place, Pritchard's Road (TBC)
The team at Motiv Sport have asked if our Goodgym team would be interested assisting with the 2024 Hackney Half Marathon on one of the 6 water and aid stations.
All volunteers that help in 2025 are offered a free place in any of our running events in 2026 (Hackney Half, London 10K, Oxford Half).
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/hackney-half-aid-station-and-marshal-volunteering
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London 10km with Saucony- Water Station Volunteers!
Sunday 13th July, 7.30am onwards, Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AH
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.
Food and water provided, and a free entry for any 2026 event on the Motiv Sports roster will be offered to all volunteers!
Cakes-ton House Community Centre
Monday 13th January
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
The Goodgym Islington crew returned to Caxton House Community Centre last night with 13 superstars on hand to help with a big renovation project. Task coordinator Rose had prepared the main hall and reception area of the centre ready for our arrival - paint, wire brushes, clothes and rollers on hand.
Our task for the evening was to remove old guard covers off the radiators in the main hall (originally fitted to protect children from burning themselves on hot pipes, but now no longer serving their purpose) and to take them to a recycling spot. Then, we split into groups to wipe dust off the radiators and to scuff up the old paint using wire brushes. In the meantime, we also had a team masking off the edges of the reception table and wiping down other surfaces.
Step 2 involved using water based (but heat resistant) paint to coat the radiators. We used small brushes to leave a nice even coating around the pipes. A roller was used on the reception desk for 2 coats of nice green paint- looking super clean after an hour of hard work!
Rose and the team at Caxton House were thrilled with the progress we made in such a small amount of time. We were told that the day time staff "love it when the runners come down to help", because they always have a nice surprise when they arrive in the morning after a Goodgym visit! Caitlin brought us an absolutely delicious banana cake too- a wonderful way to celebrate a job well done.
See you all at the Arsenal Community Hub next week for a special Gillespie Park plogging session!
(It was Area Activator Simon's 700th good deed last night! Come and join us for a pizza social next week at Someday Canteen to celebrate!)
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
SESSIONS IN JANUARY
Group Run- Plogging in Gillespie Park and Finsbury Park 6.45pm, Arsenal Community Hub, Monday 20th January
https://www.goodgym.org/happenings/group-run-plogging-through-gillespie-park-and-finsbury-park
Community Mission- Thornhill Square Gardens 7.15pm, Thornhill Square Gardens Monday 27th January
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Post Group Run Social - Someday Canteen, Finsbury Park
Monday 20th January, 8.45pm, Someday Canteen
A chance to catch up with the Islington Goodgym crew over refreshments and delicious pizza!
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/post-group-run-social-january-someday-bar-finsbury-park
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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!
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 16th January https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-2b0290a9-fb52-480c-a6c0-b45ba8c2c4a4
Emirates Stadium Thursday 23rd January https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-emirates-stadium-4ed31405-80ce-454b-9765-45aed49cde03
Paddington Rec Track Thursday 30th January https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-paddington-rec-track-db3e1e87-d1e9-4d55-8f34-fd86e1b9101a
Stratford Olympic Park Thursday 6th February https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/come-and-guide-run-with-achilles-international-olympic-park-stratford-route-7cdb905f-ec50-40f7-9932-ca8debf0354c
JENKI Matcha with ON Running Spitalfields Group (February)
Saturday 8th February, 8.45am, ON Running Spitalfields
Every 1st Saturday morning of the month, ON Running Spitalfields and JENKI Matcha Café on Brushfield Street will be hosting a 5km social paced group run through East London and by St Katherine's Dock.
Meeting at ON Running Spitalfields store at 8.45am (Bag drop, community shoe try ones, run register, chat and catch up!) Matcha and hot drinks on offer at special run club discount!
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Track and Towpath Social Running Sessions
Every Wednesday (fortnightly), 7.30am, Mile End Athletics Track
If you are looking for accessible training sessions that can be included in your schedule, then come and join Area Activator Simon for his fortnightly runs.
Track training is always more fun with others, and these are designed to be sociable and open to all!
Structured training sessions, followed by refreshments at The Yurt Café, Limehouse!
Wednesday 22nd January
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Elizabeth House Food Hub- Lunchtime Sweep Up Task!
Tuesday 14th January, 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!
Thursday 14th January
Compton Terrace Gardens- Volunteer Session
Saturday 8th February, 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.
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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (January)
Saturday 18th January, 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.
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 19th January, 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-january
—-------------------------------------- Penn Road Gardens - November Volunteer Day Sunday 26th January, 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. https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/penn-road-gardens-open-morning-january-c1c2ace2-9aba-45d4-9609-8a038f2aa101
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
8th February Trent Park https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/london-met-league-cross-country-trent-park
A quick sand and then we varnish
Monday 18th November 2024
Written by Islington runner
Seven GGers met Rose at Caxton House to shelter from the rain.
The display board and front desk were sanded smooth; the board given a fresh coat of 'Caxton Green' paint and the front desk given a fresh brown varnish.
Matt and Alison worked on the front desk while Caitlin, Vaughan, Biana, Emily, and Sally tackled the big display board.
Hoovers and Movers
Monday 14th October 2024
Written by Simon Fitzmaurice
On a brisk Monday evening (super Autumnal!), Area Activator Simon caught up with Dan and Emily at the Arsenal Community Hub for a lovely run towards Archway, heading North on Sussex Way. After a dynamic warm up and a chat, we made our way up to Caxton House Community Centre on foot.
We met with Rose, one of the key coordinators at Caxton House who treated our running crew to biscuits and water! Our task for the evening was to pack up about 30+ duvets and pillows into vacuum bags, and to shrink them down into portable sizes, ready for various clothing bank projects across the borough. Half of our team helped with packing the bags and ensuring the right contents were added to the correct packs. And the other half of our team used a couple of "Henry Hoovers" to squeeze down the materials to a packable size.
Well done everyone- we did a smashing job of a very satisfying job. Excellent quality control!
GOODGYM ISLINGTON NEWS
GROUP SESSIONS
Monday 21st October- Rose Bowl Youth Club- Community Mission 7.15pm, Task Location
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/community-mission-rose-bowl-youth-club
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Monday 28th October- Elizabeth House Community Centre Food Hub- Group Run 6.15pm, Arsenal Community Hub
https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/group-run-elizabeth-house-food-hub-6-15-pm-start
Monday 4th November- Turning Compost at Pollard Close- Community Mission 7.15pm, Near Biddestone Gardens, 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!
Thursday 17th October- Paddington Rec Track
Thursday 26th October- Stratford Olympic Park
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Friends of Canonbury Square- Volunteer Morning (October)
Saturday 19th October, 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.
Crouch End Open Space (CREOS) Volunteering Day
Sunday 20th October, 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-october-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 £20!
Newbies encouraged and welcomed- the most fun you can have running over the Winter months!
Fixtures
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
Full House after The Big Half (Caxton House Community Gardens)
Monday 2nd September 2024
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 2024
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
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