5 GoodGymers met at the Mercury and headed down towards the Meanwhile Garden outside Firstsite under strict orders not to pick any litter up on the way. We couldn't resist however when we noticed a whole load of blue roll and paper blowing about (presumably a split recycling bag) and made a swift improvement to the precinct.

We were pleasantly surprised that the Meanwhile Garden had much less litter than last time we were there, and we were even helped out by a member of the public who was enjoying the garden and wanted to make sure it stayed that way.

We headed down East Hill, this time taking our time to chat and pick up bits on the way and then finished off clearing the area around a children's play park near the river.

Top points for interesting finds go to Haidee and the abandoned jacket and Vanessa and an abandoned Octopus. Lovely to meet Ian for the first time as well.

There's no task next Tuesday, but we will be at the Junior Park Run this Sunday, and then back in town Tuesday 2nd June to clear the planters ready for summer bedding.

3 GoodGymers met to tackle some of the litter in our city.

We were amazed at the number of cigarette butts we found and wondered what would need to happen to stop people leaving them on the ground.

I like to think we helped people on their way into town work this morning feel a little more positive about their town, and that fewer animals were harmed by litter last night.

As well as being productive I found it a very educational GoodGym, learning a lot about East Anglia and education from Vanessa and Ray!

This Sunday we are helping out with the Junior Park Run and then on Tuesday we are delivering leaflets for Mind. Sign up now if you can!

A chilly evening in Colchester was brightened up by some litter picking action around the streets and past the college by six goodgymers. We received some thank you's from passers by, chatted about all kinds of things, and admired the local runners doing reps up the hill. This weekend, whilst drinking tea and eating biscuits indoors - do an hour's birdwatch for the RSPB. Sign up to the task on the website - the perfect goodgym mission!!

4 GoodGymers set off on a dark evening in hunt of litter. After a slow start (Colchester residents no longer littering, or litter obscured by the darkness?) we quickly filled 2 bags.

Always good to have a chat over a litter pick (particularly nice to meet Mandy for the first time), and we left satisfied that the streets and paths were that little bit cleaner!

We welcomed not one, not two, but three new GoodGymers this evening. Well done to DeborahGraceand Naziron your first GoodGym task! And to Alexanderas ever for all your hard work.

We took our usual route down Balkerne Hill to the retail park and gathered two large bags full of litter. We managed around an hour before it got too dark - we need head torches at the ready from now on!

Thanks all and hopefully see you next time :)

7 fantastic Goodgymers cleaned up the greenery around the flats, paths and businesses in Colchester.

Heading down the hill from The Mercury Theatre, through St Mary's Fields and along Sheepen Road, the team accumulated a three bag haul of litter. The usual suspects included Starbucks, Cadbury's, Nestlé, Walkers and Subway.

On that journey we passed four easily accessible bins - if only people used them!

Great job everyone and enjoy the rest of your week.