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!

Our litterpick consisted of wandering down to the park and down by the river where we found various items including remnants of a plastic Christmas tree! Our interesting spot was a river rat who seemed to be enjoying its time sniffing for food along the riverbank, unbothered by ducks or pigeons.

Well done all, we finished in time to make it back for the second half of the women's Euros semi-final against Italy, another thrilling come-back and worth the late night!

Hope to see you all soon. Ella

On a pleasant sunny Sunday morning, 8 GoodGymers, plus families, helped to cheer on, encourage and keep safe 98 young runners as they completed two laps of Old Heath Rec. It was lovely to meet Damon (with my sincere apologies for doubting your existence) and Alice for the first time.

It was great to then have time to catch up while sitting in the sun / running after young children.

Look at for another opportunity to marshal the Junior Park Run again soon as they are always very grateful for our support.