8 hardy runners braved a storm of biblical proportions, apt as the task took us to a local church.

A big warm Bromley welcome to Bobbie, who couldn't have picked a soggier evening for her first task, and to Pete and Steve, who joined us from Stockport and Sheffield respectively. Who says that the weather is worse up north?! David won the 'who is from furthest away' competition, however, being from the other side of the pond, albeit living here now.

It's grim down south!

Fiona rather brilliantly arrived complete with swimming goggles, and the tiniest banana I have ever seen.

It couldn't have been wetter as we headed to the park for a very quick warm-up, before splashing through the puddles and heading up the hill to Upper Norwood Methodist Church, where we were met by the wonderful Pam. Our task for the evening was scraping the weeds and ivy from the tiered levels at the side of the church, the first of what may be many visits to clear the huge space around the building. With so many people scraping away, we soon cleared both levels on one side, which were devoid of features, apart from a random barrel by the stairs (worthy of a mention if only because of the pun).

Gogglebox

Fiona modeled her goggles whilst holding the box of gloves that Pam had provided, what a great photo and an easy pun for me!

Pam showed us the area at the back of the church, which was a huge space crying out for some love and attention. There were hops growing wild (some more pun-spiration), and the ideas flowed as freely as beer for what could be done with the area. Pam was bursting with enthusiasm and motivation to get the space cleared and in use by the church and local community alike. It is crying out for a community mission, watch this space for a listing.

As we cleared the tools away, the heavens opened yet again and we took full advantage of the sheltered car park to take cover and chat to Pam about her projects. When the flood in the car park swallowed the entrance, we could procrastinate no more and we headed out into the storm. The fitness session was kiboshed by all so we headed down the hill to our start point, desperate to escape the deluge. Fiona and Steve were on top punning form, working together to come up with the somewhat lengthy but excellent pun over a well deserved beer.

Next week we're heading to Anerley Town Hall, for an indoor task befitting the autumnal weather and light levels. Sign up here.