This week, it was the fantastic four - we met at the waterfront and headed on up to the 31st / 9th scout group, tackling the almighty Back Hamlet hill along the way. Great chats along the way & well done Miles for your Chelmsford half marathon 👏🏻.

After our sanding efforts last week, we had the paint rollers at the ready, eager to get stuck in! Myself, Leanne & Prakash targeted the lower down (reachable!) walls with the rollers & more intricate sections with the brushes, whilst Miles got the job of using the longer pole & roller to reach the higher walls.

We'll be back next week to finish the second half of the hut.. and maybe go over some parts that some of us (me) may have missed haha!

Thank you guys for another great session! 🎉

GoodGym Ipswich was officially re-launched tonight with the first session & group run of many

The 6 of us headed to the 31st/9th Scout Group where we sanded all of the skirting boards ready to begin painting next week and the weeks to come. You can imagine the dust from all that sanding... but alas a Henry hoover was found and it was like nothing had ever happened!

It was great to meet everyone and chat about all sorts, including previous GoodGym ventures in Ipswich which was really interesting to hear about. Thanks Imogen, Miles, Leanne , Prakash & Jack for all coming to the launch. And extra thanks to Imogen for this week's punny title!

Thank you to the 31st/9th Scout group for welcoming us into the hut and we will be back next time ready to roll up our sleeves and get the paint out.

Tonight the litterpicker got metaphorically and literally passed on!

Natasha and I took a jog around the waterfront which was brooding and threatening to rain - but held off- before meeting Paul to get stuck in to familiar grot spots near the skate park. Suffice to say these public areas had been 'well used' over the Bank Holiday with a lot of rubbish to be disposed of. A whole bin's worth in fact!

A man thanking us for our graft and enquiring how he could get involved got more than he bargained for: given we were carrying a surplus of litter pickers,it seemed only right to pass it on so off I went chasing him - in a non- threatening way, of course - with it in my hand! Let's hope he puts it to use and can also inspire others too.

What a day for Polish Heritage Day! As we approached Castle Hill Community centre the sun was starting to emerge, flags swaying in the breeze and it was a hive of activity. First up for Natalie: making the hamper followed by lots of balloon inflating and distributing. Natasha got the coffee and tea station set up and there was time to soak up the atmosphere and have a quick bite of delicious apple cake.

Congratulations to The Polish Community Hub for putting on such a vibrant day.

Am I showing my age with the Art Attack reference? Anyone else remember the creative tv show with Neil Buchanan?

Tonight we made our way to help creative hub Rock Paper Scissors. As always it was a joy to enter, brimming with colour and optimism and greeted by wonderful Lulu who showed us the ropes.

Whilst Paul and Natasha were returners to RPS, we were thrilled to have Lizzie join us after a hiatus. Welcome back!

We got stuck in organising their array of materials. Are labels to go with stickers? What's the difference between tempera and ink paints? Do staplers count as office hardware?

These were the pressing questions of the night. And the re-ordering proved to most mindful and therapeutic. True to form, we were also treated to a little snack for our effort.

Thanks for having us, Rock Paper Scissors!

You can tell by the quality of the pun that Imogen was back Good Gyming tonight!

Tonight we headed back to Blue Cross animal centre and were warmly greeted by site manager, Charles.

Despite it not yet being balmy weather, the lighter evening made being outside a joy.

We got stuck in cleaning moss, Bruce tackled the drains - three wheelbarrows full of leaves and unidentified brown specimens- and you still couldn't see the bottom!

Imogen made the signage brand new armed with soapy water and broom. Positively gleaming now.

All in all, a job well done!

And wait for it: we actually saw something furry! On our fifth visit, we got introduced to gorgeous Poppy! 1 runner and 2 cyclists departed with slightly melted hearts...