Drenched and soggy, high-spirited and refreshed.

Around 12 people from En-form and 4 Goodgymers turned up to litter pick and introduce themselves when someone turned the power-shower on in the sky!

Nevertheless we collected at least 7 large bags of litter from the foot and cycle path connecting Monkwick, Berechurch, Abbey Fields and Colchester Town centre.

So come in Monkwick - get moving, spring into action and leave your car at home next time you pop to town.

The path is away from roads and much more direct compared to driving.

Our soggy efforts hopefully inspire people to use the path but also we cleared a lovely natural hedge if litter - safer for wildlife and domestic pets not to mention children.

All the usual litter suspects were found - Walkers, Pepsi, Stella Artois, Coke-a-cola and even a dog food bag and some gloves. All with 30metres of a bin...

Hope you all got warm and dry after that downpour!

What a lovely fresh morning to meet like-minded and community spirited people.

Often when we litter pick or do gardening it is not too near roads and curbs, but this time that is exactly where we went. In order to show the residents, public and County Council how easy it is to weed an area without harmful pesticides we focused on the area around The Hospital arms. No pesticide needed.

It was a pleasure to meet the Eco-Colchester and Green Party volunteers and we look forward to many more tasks in the mission to 'green up' Colchester.

The message is that community action is vital and that the word community includes our environment.

Well done everyone!