2 GoodGymers met Pam from Colchester in Bloom to help tidy up the planters along the high street. Despite our best efforts to change the soil and remove weeds in the autumn, some resilient weeds had come back with a vengeance and took a lot of effort to detangle their roots from the plants. There was also the usual litter from people mistaking the planters for ash trays/gum bins, but after an hour's hard work removing litter, dead heads and weeds the planters were in a much better shape to welcome in the new growth spring brings!

Sorting the planters in town is always a great opportunity for a chinwag with Pam/fellow GoodGymers, and to be entertained by the random comments of passerbys (asking whether we're digging up buried treasure seems to be a common one!).

All in all, a successful evening!

A dry and misty start in Colchester, for this week's junior parkrun. Louise was at the helm, run directing, with the rest of the team marshalling around the park. With additional support from the Duke of Edinburgh award volunteers, plus lots of regular helpers, the event was well staffed, and everyone did their bit to encourage the runners and walkers. Colchester junior parkrun is always looking for folk to help ensure that the event runs safely and smoothly, but it is a lot of fun and very easy. Email the volunteer coordinator, to get involved.

4 GoodGymers met one wet and chilly Tuesday evening to clean the Foodbank.

The outdoor weather was soon forgotten though as we warmed up working together to sweep the huge warehouse floor.

Keely and Henry then beautified the admin and front of house areas, cleaning surfaces and vacuuming the carpet while Louise and Mzi got to work with the mops.

We'll be back again first Tuesday in March!

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!!