A Sight for Saw Guys

Thirteen runners took to the streets of Bromley, covering around 3.5km, doing some epic pruning, tackling a whole load of weeds and making the windows at Penge East Community Centre SHINE!

How lovely to see so many now familiar faces returning after last week's new start point launch! This week we also welcomed newcomer Jane, who used to go to GoodGym in Lambeth, but is now giving Bromley a try (click on her name and give her a cheer, go on!). We've realised we probably create a bit of a stir (buzz?) in the garden of the Bridge House, a steady stream of red t-shirts gathering and chatter quickly rising. I wonder how many people will see us dashing off and think to join us themselves one week...

Our group run tonight took us on the short jog to the Penge East Community Centre, a rather special space, nestled alongside the railway line and hidden behind an old pub (check out the photos to see Gnasher, the ex-pub's cat, who still pops back to say hello...and have a little gnash/gnosh). We were met by Jean and her husband Roger, who have been running the space since about 2003 (the centre has been here since 1983) and are quite rightly proud of their community hub and all that it represents. Jean told us all the tasks that needed doing this week, including cleaning the windows, weeding along the paths, tackling a very lush-looking bay tree and taming a post-bloom buddleia. Tools were gathered and spots were chosen, as heads went down and the work began.

Spidey sense

As work gathered pace, there was a moment of excitement when the biggest spider this side of Sydenham made itself known (cue a scattering of people!). Never fear though because, armed with his trusty shovel, Michael scooped it up and took it swiftly over to the bushes, our hero. All around was a hustle and bustle of activity, a steady back and forth of twigs, branches and clippings. Around at the entrance was a heady aroma, as a team of focussed individuals set-to on the massive bay, brushing against the lavender as they worked.

Sycamore no more!

As the buddleia was cut back, a determined few decided it might be good to chop away a heavy branch that hung over the pergola. This seemed to ignite a need to prune the sycamore good and proper, thinning it out and creating light again in the sunny seating area. All the time, our window cleaners sponged foam across the glass, cleaning away the grime that had built up and creating a bit of sparkle. A few people had a go at the fancy weed-attacking tool, but it seems to require a particular technique. Michael had a go, causing a hush of silence all round when he uncovered what we initially thought was a bone. Oh, how we laughed when we saw it was actually a broken chair leg! Once again, phew!

We look forward very much to visiting here again, because not only did we have a really great task that kept everyone engaged, but we were treated to some of the results of Jean's amazing baking skills - look at the photo, yes, that really is a little train cake! Thank you Jean, you have set the bar very high for future task owners! Licking our lips, we said goodbye and headed out towards the recreation ground, the home of tonight's fitness session, which was all about running. 'But we've already run!' said Aimee. Yes, but this was where we would focus on form and technique, with some:

• walking high-knees

• fast high-knees

• heel-flicks

• skips

With these in mind, we did a few intervals, with the pace increasing as the time decreased. Really well done everyone, I could see you had taken on board the pointers from the drills and you looked strong on each lap. Our group runs are about many things, one of which is creating good habits, so we reminded our core what it feels like to engage and jogged back over to the Bridge House to stretch.

Will you join us next week? Our run will take us to Crystal Palace Park again, where we will tackle some more of the shrubbery - a super upper body workout :)