Another Wednesday evening,they do seem to come round fast.

It was Katherine's birthday too !! Happy Birthday Katherine 🥰😍

We were with Colchester In Bloom again tonight.The group was split in 2,hence one group met Pam at the Vineyard Street Car Park ,with another group going straight to the fountain on Middleborough.

Here is Vanessa's report from the Vineyard Street group :-

The Nuts and Bolts of a Birthday: Cakes, Hats and Hoots!

We shared smiles and special wishes with our star GoodGymer, Katherine. She let us off birthday push-ups – all 36 of them - and gave us cakes and fresh fruit instead! Happy Birthday, Katherine and thank you for the prettiest and yummiest of cakes. The five of us then donned our GG party hats and set to work in the rain. Our task was to unbolt the large empty planters from Vineyard Car Park and Crouch Street. This was no mean feat! We were thankful to Bob and Phil for bringing along ratchets, spanners and a club hammer, and – what with these and Pam’s mole gripper – we were suitably equipped. The novices among us quickly learnt to handle the tools and we pinced, ratcheted, rotated, hammered and wacked until the bolts were loosened and the planters could be safely removed. The weathered and rusted nuts gave us a run for our money, but luckily we had a professional at hand! Thanks Bob. And some determined hammering! Thanks Phil. Jade volunteered to weed and clear a patch ready for Pam’s planting tomorrow. She worked quickly and chirpily, despite the wet conditions. A great job. We lifted the empty planters into Pam’s car and were thankful she found a bungee to tie down her loaded boot. Then compared blackened hands and wiped clean with Pam’s handy cleaning kit. Another worthwhile task for Colchester in Bloom. Another unique birthday shindig for Katherine. All rounded off with a hoot and a toot from anon. Balkerne Hill driver! Well done all.

Thanks for that fine,eloquent report Vanessa.

Meanwhile at the fountain we set about various tasks to make the area more presentable. Emily,Denise,Emma,Rosalind,James,Dan and I tidied up the area,picking up twigs and larger bits a wood that were lying around.We swept around the fountain and the path leading up to it. Pam had left some plants to be ,well planted,so Dan ably dug some holes and planted them!! Ivy was cut back from the railings too. Pam arrived during the evening and was very pleased with what we had achieved. There was the usual banter and chat throughout the evening ,as always everyone was pleased to see each other!

Another fine evening of GoodGym.

Report written by Vanessa Crannis & Ian Bown