Quick question...who ever thought gravel or stones where a good idea for a garden? Well no matter as Goodgym Colchester's crew scurried around the lovely garden at Charles Smith House to make it beautiful...and ready for the Autumn drop!

Another warm summer evening and a sunset session as six community minded goodgymer, plus bumps, enjoyed a chat whilst we tidied.

It turns out that our Community Mission with the Anti Loo Roll Brigade is more than just a task for Em as she aims to marry pop star Lemar!

We will see!!!

Task done, we went on our way with a skip in our steps.

Tweedledum and Tweedledee Some weeds we have to battle; For Tweedledum said Tweedledee Had spoiled the courtyard gravel. Just then flew down a monstrous pigeon, As as odd as can be, Which ffrightened all the goodgym heroes so, They ran home for their tea.

Great effort again tonight so a little random rhyme to end a streak of Colchester Borough Homes tasks.

Plum Hall, John Lampon Court and Worsnop House...done!

Weed like to share with you last night's outing to Plum Hall. We made the courtyard and shared spaces safer and tidier for Colchester Borough Homes residents.

With one big rain shower out the way in the afternoon it was a warm night, so the drinks Cindy provided were very welcome. As was the return of Bob who had also made beautiful bird box!! A great surprise.

We Jeffed our way to Plum Hall crossing the ancient Roman Circus track on the way there and back.

The job, although familiar, was done with so much effort and fun. Bob set about the epicormic growth on the four big trees whilst Louise and Em weeded and Sophie and Frazer enjoyed grouting the paving slabs. A lot got done and we swept up before heading off.

Ella took some lovely photos and look out for Em's TikTok skills.

We didn't just pop grout, we went grout grout.

A big difference made.

On my 400th Good deed I thought a good quote would be ideal for this run report and Frances Hodgson Burnett (The Secret Garden) provided it!

Last night we ran and walked to Charles Smith House on a humid evening...stories and learning from the shindig came thick and fast as we met the hard working Cindy and got to weeding and sweeping. At the end of the task we were treated to a look at some stunning gardens at the back of the property. Just marvelous!

We will indeed be back here and at various Colchester Borough Homes sites soon.

A quick thank you to everyone who made those 400 good deeds fun, friendly and unique.

Four warm weather runners donned their red t-shirts tonight to give Worsnop House's courtyard a spruce up.

There was sweeping and grouting and a few dead plants hanging around!

We had a nice welcome from Cindy and a resident as well as a couple of thank yous from a balcony.

Mikaela completed 12km, Helen smashed East Hill and Andy led us through some of Colchester's lesser known footpaths.

Well done peeps!

Goodgym is all about getting fit and doing good. In whatever mode of transport you choose - your own legs or 2 wheels - we love to see people active. And even better is seeing people doing their bit to help others!

Tonight (or yesterday if you are reading it tomorrow or Wednesday 14th July 2021 if you are reading this in 20 years time) we walked, cycled and ran around a lovely task. We were met by Colchester Borough Homes brightest new recruit Cindy who got stuck in, got dirty water on her jeans but led by example.

The five of us took a minute to discuss what would be the most useful task and decided on scrubbing tables (well Cindy did!) and digging up moss from between paving slabs as well as some weeding. Of course throw in a caterpillar (live) and a handful of snail shells (chicken food of course) and the strange and wonderful surprises of a goodgym evening feel more complete!

We chatted and joked as we worked and tidied up with the promise we would come and finish the job!

There was a touching moment between Cindy and a resident as we left...but you will have to ask us for more on this!