Two Goodgymers set out along busy pathways to litter pick. Our good haul seemed to include robber’s paraphernalia, including, getaway vehicle (bike), weapons (saw wrapped in tin foil), plenty of beer bottles (for courage) and a loot hold-all! Scene of the crime now returned to a more natural setting.

Three goodgymers met up in Castle Park to count bumblebees for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust's citizen science project. Bumblebees start emerging from hibernation around now, so we weren't expecting to see very much, especially as there isn't much in bloom yet, but much to our surprise, there were busy bumblebees in several sections of the route! We identified some queen buff-tailed bees, a few common carders, and even some worker white tails, which we will be recording on the BBCT website later. Congratulations to Luke on his first goodgym good deed, and for spotting so many bees. 🐝 🐝 🐝

Three litter picking goodgym ninjas swept along Cowdray avenue hunting out litter this evening. The usual suspects - food wrappers, macdonalds cups and drinks cans were bagged up and left for collection by the council. Well done everyone!

On a chilly damp morning 7 GoodGymers turned up to cheer on, direct and keep safe some enthusiastic young runners. The core team were very grateful for our support as it made their job much easier in filling all the positions.

Today two Goodgymers were invited to lunch and meet Colchester City’s Mayor, Lesley Scott-Boutell in a recognition event to thank community volunteers from across the city. I was proud to represent Goodgym alongside many other volunteers helping to keep the City stay safe and looking it’s best. A very welcoming atmosphere at City Hall encouraged plenty of discussion; special thanks to Councillor Kemal Çufoğlu for a detailed and supportive discussion about environmental issues and how GG could help further.

A flock of Goodgymers in and around Colchester waited with bated breath and baited bird tables to see...... not very much actually. Pigeons were plentiful, so were magpies, gulls and starlings, but very few landed. Our favourite visitors, such as robins, bluetits and longtailed tits were taking shelter elsewhere, and who can blame them in this stormy weather. A disappointing watch, but vital data for the RSPB, and a reminder not to take our wilder friends for granted. Upload all your sightings (and none!) to the RSPB website. Support your local population of wild birds by planting native wildflowers, fruit bushes or trees, putting out a water bowl, and maybe offering a nest box or two if you have space.

The last in a long stretch of trees sleeves has now been removed. Trees, once stunted by redundant plastic, fighting unnecessary disease harboured inside the damp airless spaces are now able to thrive. Large volumes of degrading plastic had been removed from open space to be disposed of in a more ‘controlled environment’ , sadly I suspect landfill.