A crack team of determined GoodGymers overcame adversity to clear two bags of litter from the streets of Chelmsford.

Richard braved a squeam-inducing injury he sustained a few days earlier, Fay shook off illness and Jen battled through traffic to join the group.

The runners met Fay by the river where we started our litter picking duties.

As the night got colder and darker, Jane and Andy made everyone jealous with plans for breaks in warmer climes, while Martin wondered if there were any GoodGym groups in Scotland. Apparently not.

After finding the south of the river surprisingly tidy, the group crossed a bridge so new that it doesn’t appear on Google Maps’ satellite view and struck litter gold around the Meadows car park, with cans and bottles carefully extracted from hedges.

Good work everyone!

After a late change of task, a small but perfectly formed group of GoodGymers removed a bag of rubbish from the streets of Chelmsford.

With the GoodGym tasks starting to get an autumnal chill, Richard and Sallyann sensibly turned up in several layers. Martin did not.

The Brook Street car park and footpath towards the river proved a fertile testing ground for a new double handed approach to litter picking, with a grabber in each hand, and the trio’s efforts were rewarded with compliments from passing cyclists.

The group binned an airplane and several bottles of dubious looking liquid but drew the line at two abandoned bikes, before debating when it was acceptable to turn the heating on at home (the correct answer is: when the clocks go back).

Look forward to seeing everyone at next week’s task. Don’t forget to wrap up warm!

7 fantastic Goodgymers cleaned up the greenery around the flats, paths and businesses in Colchester.

Heading down the hill from The Mercury Theatre, through St Mary's Fields and along Sheepen Road, the team accumulated a three bag haul of litter. The usual suspects included Starbucks, Cadbury's, Nestlé, Walkers and Subway.

On that journey we passed four easily accessible bins - if only people used them!

Great job everyone and enjoy the rest of your week.

7 GoodGymers got involved with this month's walk and talk, it was also Martin's first foray into run leading and it was good to see Erin back after a while off. After a word perfect introductory briefing we set off towards Central Park, dodging commuters along the way. We arrived to find Sallyann and Leanne ready and waiting and Edith and the group from the Ideas Hub arrived shortly after. We took at leisurely stroll up to Admiral's park and the gym equipment area. Rich showed off his prowess on many of the machines. There was also a monkey bar competition, but Richard decided he liked his shoulders in one piece and didn't take part, seemed sensible to me! We made our way back to Central Park and said goodbye to Edith and the group and then those that were going that way headed back to HQ where we did some excellent stretching.

Congratulations to Leanne for her 50th good deed and see you next week for some more GoodGyming.

5 of us met at the gym and quickly decided it was too hot to run, so a lovely walk and chat to the task was in order. Which was a also to be a lovely walk and chat.

Tonight we were to meet up with Edith from the Ideas Hub and meet some of the lovely people who are currently refugees and attending her English classes. We met at the cathedral and then walked along the bunny walks to Arun Park where there are many football pitches. Her classes must be popular as it seemed like at least 20 guys had turned up and ready to chat and practice their English.

We split into smaller groups and chatted away in the evening sun along the green pathway. Sayed and Jason are keen at sport and like to go swimming and to gym, and Hassan was curious if Chelmsford had a boxing gym ( I didn't know). But we all agreed we loved food and talked about our favourite dishes ( mine is whatever is in front of me).

We walked up to the Park and i unfortunately think that we have been challenged to a football match the next time we meet up ( oh dear). So better start practicing your keepy uppies peeps.

We walked back to the gym, said our goodbyes, shook hands and went our separate ways to have our dinners. Thanks for coming guys and see you next week where we will be going up to the Beaulieu Community Centre for a spot of painting.

and remember

Run ( or walk) HAPPY

Rich