Six goodgymers supported the volunteer team at Colchester junior parkrun, to ensure 78 participants could complete their run in the sunshine. Some really strong performances and excellent sprint finishes were cheered in, with smiles all round. Well done everyone!

Bumblebees a plenty on late summer flowers at Fingringhoe Wick. Two Goodgymers completed a Beewalk for the conservation trust detailing the diversity and abundance of this fascinating and essential wild animal. Late summer is a time when native flowering plants like bugloss are vital in providing food for bumblebees but it’s easy for us to take our eye off the ball and assume nature will provide. The use of herbicide, ‘tidying-up’ and general human activity can easily suppress the flower abundance starving bees and other pollinators. So good to see pockets of wilderness supporting wildlife on the margins of Essex coastline. Hurrah bumblebees!

It is with some relief that two Goodgymers were able to observe wild bees foraging in at least a quarter of a ‘beewalk’ at Fingringhoe Wick NR in Essex. Calamint flowers proving irresistible to this vitality important animal species. You can contribute too through the Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s ‘beewalk’ scheme to gather data. Discover, learn and contribute. Wumnage in da undergwoth!

A lovely evening for getting some extra steps in to tend Pam's allotment. Louise, Ray and Alex headed north via a meet up at the Mercury, whereas Stu and Helen took a short cut. We divided up the tasks, grabbed some tools and got stuck in. Louise made the plot look super tidy by strimming, Ray bravely tackled the prickly brambles which had popped up everywhere, Alex made a dozen trips to the water tank, and gave everything a really good drink, Stu weeded the vegetable beds, and unearthed a surprised beetroot, and a very tall chard, and Helen weeded the potatoes and corn. The allotment looked much better and Pam was really grateful for our efforts. Well done everyone 👏 👍

What better weather to spend a morning citizen science-ing to support our much needed wildlife. This time Helen’s keen eyes may have spotted a Brown Belted Carder. A rare sight indeed. Go you tiny heroes!

Met up in Castle Park to carry out another monthly bumblebee survey for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Lots of new flowers in bloom, and plenty of solitary bees buzzing about, but not that many bumblebees this time. All data will be uploaded to the BBCT website for their UK wide data set. If you'd like to get involved, set up your own transect near where you live, to contribute to this vital citizen science project, or join us next month.

After years of sitting, discarded in bushes, a full can of the amber nectar finally found freedom during our litter pick; discharging its sugary contents everywhere. At least the Yellow Jackets will enjoy lapping it up! 2 Goodgymers gave a much needed spring clean to a popular local area ahead of the Easter weekend. Most importantly the local wildlife doesn’t need to fend off some human detritus.

A lovely sunny evening for seven GoodGymers to support Colchester in Bloom by helping out at the allotment. This session focused on clearing out the greenhouses and tackling the overgrown beds through digging and weeding.

We were delighted to welcome a new member, Madeleine, to the group. Maddie got stuck straight in to the digging and weeding!

With a strong team effort, we made great progress, much to the delight of Pam from Colchester in Bloom, who was thoroughly impressed with how much we managed to achieve in one evening.

We’re already looking forward to returning to the allotment soon to continue the good work!