Well, actually this run report title, inspired by Beyonce's 2011 song 'Run the World', is pretty accurate. Let us use the wonderful city of Colchester as an example. . So we volunteer to help and in Colchester all major city events, races, festivals, art galleries, theatres, charities and even the police rely on volunteers. So I would like to sing the praises of the unsung, in Colchester and beyond. The people who see that change needs a proactive approach...you run things!

Other than hearing a Beyonce song on the radio, this report is inspired by Bob, a Goodgymer since 2017, who has returned to Goodgym, was missed and is an incredibly committed and hard working member of the team.

If you wanted to demonstrate to someone who knew nothing about Goodgym, what we do, this task was one to watch.

After meeting at The Mercury Theatre, we ran through Abbey Fields and met Annabel before heading to John Lampon Court, a Colchester Borough Homes residential home with a lovely courtyard to maintain. So the first element of Goodgym we demonstrated was actively traveling to the task for a few kilometers.

Secondly, the task was a physical battle. Goodgymers armed with metal bristled brushes scrubbing moss away and sweeping it up into a bin. Imagine Curling but instead of ice, concrete!! a tough arm workout!

And thirdly socializing, chatting, thinking of puns and knowing we made the paths less slippery. Satisfying job done.

Sweep me off my feet, it's a valentines goodgym special report.

I beleaf in a thing called love, just listen to the rhythm of my brush.

Hello, is it unblocking drains your looking for?

Goodgym is a little known place where, we can get together....goodgym baby yeh!

Wild thing, you make my drive clean, you sweep everything.

You're the one that I want (you are the one I want) swee swee sweep honey.

Unblock my drain, say you'll love goodgym for ever.

Anyway...what an epic run and task. Torches at the ready we ran across the city, through Highwoods Country Park and up to Ivor Brown Court to sweep a huge amount of leaves and destroy some weeds in the driveways.

It was a warmer evening and we met Linda who provided all the equipment and giant green waste bags which we filled to the brim and dragged with all our strength to the front of the housing complex.

Our run chat involved Valentines related puns on a unique date night!

We made a huge difference last night. Got to love Goodgym.

There are so many parts of Goodgym that are enjoyable. Here a few things that happened last night that were great.

1. Meeting and welcoming new people! Hi Annabel and good job grouting.
2. Wrapping up, stepping out into the cold evening, forgetting the cold and then enjoying a hit shower!
3. See the dedication of people who reach 100 good deeds! Bravo Frazer
4. Knowing you have left a task having made a difference

We grouted a potentially slippy pathway at Plum Hall and added to our Good Deed and Distance totals for the January Challenge...next stop the fun Junior Parkrun! See you on Sunday!

Quick question...who ever thought gravel or stones where a good idea for a garden? Well no matter as Goodgym Colchester's crew scurried around the lovely garden at Charles Smith House to make it beautiful...and ready for the Autumn drop!

Another warm summer evening and a sunset session as six community minded goodgymer, plus bumps, enjoyed a chat whilst we tidied.

It turns out that our Community Mission with the Anti Loo Roll Brigade is more than just a task for Em as she aims to marry pop star Lemar!

We will see!!!

Task done, we went on our way with a skip in our steps.

Tweedledum and Tweedledee Some weeds we have to battle; For Tweedledum said Tweedledee Had spoiled the courtyard gravel. Just then flew down a monstrous pigeon, As as odd as can be, Which ffrightened all the goodgym heroes so, They ran home for their tea.

Great effort again tonight so a little random rhyme to end a streak of Colchester Borough Homes tasks.

Plum Hall, John Lampon Court and Worsnop House...done!