4 GoodGymers swept and mopped the large FoodBank floor, scrubbed a dirty table and cleaned up an office area....all while keeping out of the way of a Brownie Pack who had come for a tour and to help out with moving stock.

In very little time we left the building looking and smelling much better than when we entered!

7 of us hit the streets and parks of Colchester to remove as much litter as we could. Great to see Ella again, and sorry Vanessa we didn't find you a suitable souvenir!

6 GoodGymers met 4 Colchester in Bloomers on a sunny Tuesday evening to prepare the planters along the high street for their summer bedding.

The task seemed simple to start with... primulas and pansy in a bag for replanting elsewhere, curry plants retained in planters, pretty greeny pink plant to be dug up but kept, weeds and dead ivy dug out and chucked....between us I think we understood most of the instructions, and then it turned out Haithm had gardening expertise which he put to good use!

The real challenge of the evening was removing the dead ivy from the top layer without damaging the planters or the special fabric in the bottom which distributed the water....with hefty roots in rock hard soil Ray, Haithm and Jack got their workouts completed for the evening!

Looking forward to seeing the plants that go in tomorrow next time I'm in town.

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.