Croydon Outdoor Pursuits & Social Events Club

A Games Evening
2024-05-28 20:15 - 22:30 (Europe/London) | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
🎶
Oh the games people play now
Every night and every day now
Never meaning what they say now
Never saying what they mean

Nah, not those games.
Our Tuesday evening will be a social one – a fun Games event. Andrew and Paul D will turn the Hall into a COPSE palace of diversions for your amusement.
What games? I have no idea, but can’t wait to find out. Come along and all will be revealed!

Planning Meeting
2024-05-31 18:30 - 22:00 | Spreadeagle Pub, 39-41 Katharine St, Croydon, CR0 1NX, United Kingdom
The last Planning Meeting was gratifyingly well attended and productive. A repeat would be great.
It’s when we fill out the Programme for the next quarter, both for Outdoor events and Club Nights. You may have marvelled at the range of activities this Club provides, but what’s even more marvellous is that they all originate in the fertile imaginations of our members. Bring along your bright ideas – very few are ever rejected – or if you can’t make it in person convey them to me, Sandra, Greg or any other Committee member.
Where? Upstairs at the Spread Eagle pub
When? 8pm on Friday 31st May. Arrive from 6.30 if you’re eating there.
Ken

"Go Green ! Go Exploring!"
2024-06-01 11:00 - 16:00 | Croydon Central Library, Katharine Street, Croydon
Croydon Green Spaces Open Day

Come along to Croydon’s Central Library in Katharine Street to chat to some of our Club Members about COPSE.
We are an invited stallholder at “Go Green! Go Exploring! Green Spaces Open Day”, taking place at the library this Saturday between 11am and 4pm. We often spend time in various of Croydon’s lovely parklands so find out how you could share these visits with us.

Ceilidh / Barn dance at Beddington village hall
2024-06-01 18:30 - 21:30
An invite for fellow Copsers to put their best (two left) feet forward….

I will be going to the Ceilidh / Barn dance at Beddington village hall this Saturday 1st June if any members are interested in joining me.

Details:

Date: Saturday 1st June 2024.

Venue Beddington village hall CR04TA

Doors open at 7pm.

Dance from 7.30pm – 9.30pm.

Cost: £7.00 (cash) on the door.

Live music from the Wandle Ceilidh band.

People can bring their own drinks and glasses.

No experience required. In fact this will be my first barn dance.

Travel plans:

Meet at West Croydon Bus station at 6.30pm latest. This will allow time to catch the 18.36 410 bus to Croydon Rd/Plough lane followed by a short 0.3 mile walk to the hall. Return travel via the same route.

For anyone wishing to drive there is very limited parking at the halls, possibly some limited parking in nearby side roads.

I notice that there is a pub nearby (The Harvest Home), perhaps we can go there afterwards.

My mobile: 07403 808 007

Special Event: Charles Dickens, Conjuror
2024-06-04 20:15 - 22:30 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
A Special Event!
As a timely follow on to Julie’s Dickens Walk, we’ve managed to secure the services of author, magician, and Dickens expert Ian Keable to present his show:
Charles Dickens, Conjuror: Playbill of his Most Famous Show

Charles Dickens was an amateur conjurer for around seven years of his life, from the time he wrote A Christmas Carol to David Copperfield. His best known performance was on the Isle of Wight in 1849; he wrote a highly amusing, and informative playbill to promote this show. This playbill, where Dickens called himself the ‘Unparalleled Necromancer’, provides the focus to talk about how Dickens was inspired to take up magic, which other conjurers influenced him, whether he was any good as a conjurer and how he depicted, and wrote about, magic in his own books, articles and letters. The talk includes a description of some of Dickens’ tricks from his own repertoire, plus some performances by Ian. Any questions are allowed – apart from ‘how do you do it!?’

Check Ian’s website for more details, including video of his TV appearances.
This show comes highly recommended so it is bound to be popular. Please arrive in good time for an 8.30 start.

Trip to Berlin
2024-06-06 08:00 - 2024-06-13 23:30 | Berlin, Germany
Update 29th May
Nearly time to go! We currently have 14 intrepid travellers who have booked travel and accommodation. Some are going by train, some flying from either Gatwick or London City, and several different places to stay have been booked.
You can join us right up to the last minute if you can get the bookings – let me know if you have a sudden craving for currywurst in its native habitat and I can let you know everybody’s plans.
Ken

Here’s a date for your diary:
We’re going to Berlin!
Ireen and I are going for a week, travelling out on Thursday 6th June and back on Thursday 13th. Please join us for all or part of that time.
Why Berlin?
Berlin is a fascinating city and well worth your time. There’s plenty to see and do – historic sites, museums, art galleries, boat trips, and, of course, tremendous nightlife for us youngsters. Not to mention the currywurst. Public transport is excellent and cheap, though it’s also very walkable and even cyclable, being mostly flat.
There will be a mixture of group, small group and individual activities, to be driven by the interests of those going.
Travel
At this point the only arrangement made is our travel. We’re going by train, which turns out to be one of the more expensive options – Eurostar St Pancras-Brussels, then Brussels-Cologne-Berlin. Other travel options include bus and plane – a good reference for travel options is Rome2Rio. As far as my research goes, weekend travel is the most expensive, while Thursday less so.
Accommodation
To be arranged.
Ireen and I have made our own arrangements, with my sister who lives there – very centrally, near the Cathedral. For the rest of you, there are many hostels to choose from, and of course hotels, AirBnB etc to consider.
What Now?
Please let me know if you’re interested in this trip so we can gauge the demand for accommodation etc. More plans will be made!

Ken

Walk: Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common.
2024-06-08 09:00 - 17:00
This walk will take us across Richmond Park to Wimbledon Common, the windmill and Cannizaro Park. A quite easy walk of about 10km.
So meet at East Croydon by 9.05 for the 9.19 train to Clapham Junction, changing there for the 9.43 to Richmond (all within the Oyster pass zone).
You can bring a packed lunch, but there will be many refreshment cafes etc en route.
From Wimbledon village there is a bus down to the station for the tram back to Croydon (or train via Clapham Junction).

Barry's Evening Stroll
2024-06-11 19:30 - 22:00
Large numbers will be away sampling the nightlife of Berlin. For those remaining, Barry will lead a gentle local stroll in the waning sunshine.

Meet at Blackhorse Lane Tram Stop 19.30.
W3W: ///shared.hails.apples.
This is about 9 minutes from E.Croydon on an Elmers End or Beckenham Junction tram (not New Addington) Also bus 197 stops nearby.
We will walk through the Brickfields Park to Tennison Road, then via Enmore Road to South Norwood Country Park. After a circuit of that we will return from Arena Tram Stop about 21.00.
Trams back to E.Croydon from there, or alight at Addiscombe for a drink at the Claret & Ale, just 30 seconds from that tram stop. A very pleasant little pub!

Dorking - Day of Dance; Reigate Summer Festival - Evening
2024-06-15
Any COPSErs who come down to Dorking can gather to watch some colourful and energetic dancing, wander around the quite pleasant town together, locating a few of the local pubs, share a lunch break in one of those – or choose between the many coffee shops and other eateries.

I leave individuals to work out their own transport arrangements (at present, I am still in Berlin!) but I shall be travelling to Dorking by car.

I suggest those wanting to enjoy the mass dance display at the start, head for arrival at the Dorking Halls by 10.30am. I aim to be there by then and shall be looking for some of you!

To conclude the day out, please continue to the bottom of this message to see input from Margaret, with her invitation to transfer eastwards to Reigate for the evening.

Hopefully, phone signals will be good in Dorking town and any of you can reach me on my mobile, as the daytime progresses.

Regards,

Ireen Best 07968 035522

Ireen and I are joining forces to offer an evening of music in Reigate to complement your Day of Dance in Dorking. It is very easy to get to Reigate from Dorking by train or bus.

Reigate Summer Festival: Home – Reigate Summer Festival is a new event for this year celebrating various local arts groups.

I will be there to promote Renewed Hope, one of the three charities being supported by the festival:Reigate Summer Festival 2024 – GiveWheel.

I suggest meeting at the Market Stores pub from 18:00 to discover what is on:
Schedule – Reigate Summer Festival. The pub is very close to the main music venue, the Tunnel Stage. We could also find somewhere to eat, but it would be good to book this in advance.

Regards

Margaret

Woolwich Dockyards Walk
2024-06-16 09:30 - 17:00
I will be leading a walk on Sunday 16th June to Woolwich Dockyard.
We will meet at East Croydon station at 9.50 to catch the 10:03 East Croydon (platform 4) Thameslink towards Bedford which arrives 10:20 London Bridge. Then we catch the 10:31 from London Bridge (platform 1) to Woolwich Dockyard arriving at 10.50.
If you wish to meet at London Bridge or Woolwich Dockyard please let me know.
I aim that we visit both Woolwich Dockyard and the Woolwich Arsenal during the walk which will take around 4 hours and about 8 km (5 miles).
It will be along paved areas and through parks so light walking shoes are fine.
For added excitement I am planning that we sail on the Woolwich Ferry to North Woolwich and return via the foot tunnel.
We will end up at the Great Harry, the Wetherspoons pub in Woolwich, for a late lunch at about 3 pm -so you might like to bring a sandwich to keep you going.
We will return from Woolwich Arsenal station to London Bridge, and then to East Croydon station.
Let me know if you are going to come along and look forward to seeing you on Sunday 16th!
Cheers
Andy Thompson
07751182930

Down the Canal, with Barry and Gill Goodman
2024-06-18 20:15 - 22:30 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Astonishingly, it’s nearly three years since Barry and Gill entertained us with their Traditional Treasures, an evening of revelations and songs about the oddities of English life.
Now they’re back with their new presentation, Down the Canal, the story of Britain’s canals in words, pictures and song. As they describe it:
A look into the history of Britain’s canals – the builders, the life of the working community, the decline of the working boats and the revival of the waterways in recent times, illustrated with photographs, archive pictures and songs (with which you are very welcome to join in!).
If I’m not mistaken, this picture on Barry’s website was taken at our Hall!

Barry describes himself as a singer, musician, songwriter, caller and folk arts educator. Lots more information is available at his website: http://www.barrygoodmanfolk.co.uk/

Day Trip to Lewes
2024-06-22
For those interested in my walk on saturday (22nd) around Lewes. this
is the plan =>

from 9.15am meet at EC stn to buy tickets => 9.40am direct train to Lewes
(trains are half hourly,so if anyone’s late they can give me a call to find
out where we are)

return ticket price from zone 6 with a senior railcard are £17.10

first of all, we’ll go to the information centre when you can decide whether
to stay with me for a leisurely walk around this historic Sussex market town or “do your own thing”.

places of interest include
—————————————-
1) lewes castle + museum(£10/£9 entry)
2) anne of cleves house museum (£6.60/£6 entry)
3) “the john harvey tavern” (alongside the river ouse) + their brewery shop
4) lewes railway land nature local nature reserve
5) lots of “quaint” shops, cafes, pubs (but sadly no wetherspoons !!)
+ restaurants mostly along the high street which crosses the river ouse

if you have any queries, please let me know.

keith southam
keithsoutham@yahoo.co.uk
mobile/text = 07749 515486

Midsummer Soirée? Tertulia? Picnic? Be there!
2024-06-25 20:00 - 22:30 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Full Details Now Available Here
The belated appearance of the sun has brought out Andrew’s Mediterranean streak! This week he will host a ‘bring and share’ event, aiming for the relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere of an Ibiza beach bar at sunset.
The Hall on Tuesday Evening (artist’s impression!)

This will follow, of course, the COPSE diy tradition, and contributions are invited from all.
First, what will be laid on?

There’ll be sangría, made to an ancient Brogan family recipe
Other drinks, as may be found in the darkest recesses of our store room
Music and video to capture the imagination (I know, it takes a lot of it to convert South Croydon to Ibiza, but still . . .)
Beach games are a possibility we’re exploring

And what can we all do? (I hear you ask)

Bring picnic food to share, especially with a Med tendency. (Feed a few, mass catering not expected!)
Bring drinks, hard or soft, if sangría or store room pot luck isn’t your thing
Raise the tone of the occasion by summer themed readings of your choice – prose, poetry, song or incoherent howl, all are welcome
If possible, dress for the occasion. The choice is yours, though we may draw the line at mankinis.
For music, we’ll make an Ibiza Beach Bar playlist. You may not want to leave this in my hands – send your suggestions to Ken, any time up to Tuesday evening
Any spare flowers from your gardens or other legal sources would be welcome to display in the hall – and take them home or otherwise donate them after

And, averse as we all are to washing up, bring your own eating and drinking equipment and take it away afterwards.
Any questions? Ask Andrew or Ken.

Come along, and enjoy – ¡buen provecho todos!

(Early Warning, superseded by full details above)
An evening of sophistication – elegant canapés, daring cocktails and dazzling conversation among your fashionably-coiffed and designer-clad COPSE colleagues.

Or possibly not.
Details soon.

Local Restaurant Evening Meal
2024-06-27 19:00 - 22:00
Date: Thursday, 27th June.
Time: 7.00pm.
Venue: “Noto” (previously known as “Aqua”), 33 – 35 South End.
(Walking towards Croydon from our old watering hole, “The Skylark”, the restaurant is just a little further along, on the right.)
Cuisine: “Mediterranean”, with a bias to Greek and Italian. A new menu will be in place prior to our visit but the variety should be similar to the present one.

I am told several COPSE Members have happily eaten there in the past. I was there recently with a friend. Food was good and service was friendly and efficient. We shall have a separate room for our use and I hope to have the tables arranged conference-style (depending on our numbers) so that we are not just in a long straight line.

Please let me know, if you would like to go on the dining list.

Regards,

Ireen Best (07968 035522)

3 Rivers Cycle Ride
2024-06-30 09:00 - 17:00
Meet Croydon Minster 9.30am. https://w3w.co/sheet.stop.fits
Join the Wandle Trail.
I had planned to go to the Wandle Industrial Museum just off the Wandle Trail but this does not open, I found out, until 2pm. But good news: Merton Abbey Priory, which was due to be closed until August, opens again this weekend and does contain, along with the history of the Priory, the industrial history of the Wandle.
Coffee break at Watermill Cafe Merton Abbey Mills.
Cycle on to River Thames via Wandle Trail.
Cross over the Thames to the North Bank, cycle lanes from Chelsea Bridge to Greenwich, cross to South Bank at London Bridge.
Stop at Servewell Cafe Bermondsey, Close to the cafe there is a large stainless steel sculpture of a cyclist and an opportunity for a group photo, then onwards to the Waterfront at Greenwich.
Join Waterlink Trail to South Norwood, another cafe stop near Ladywell Park
Distance approx 40 miles, ebikes welcome.
John Eden eden.john1949@gmail.com
07528299972.

Literary Evening
2024-07-02 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Another in our series of events capitalising on the vast intellects and literary leanings of COPSE members.
Come along and tell us about a book you like, or even one you don’t. Or give us a reading – prose or poetry. Or then again, just turn up to listen to the wisdom paraded before you and have an interesting discussion.

Camping Trip in Cornwall
2024-07-04 - 2024-07-11
We will be at Sandparks Campsite, Widemouth Bay, Cornwall – just down the coast from Bude. The campsite doesn’t have its own website, but you see details on Pitchup.com or ukcampsite.co.uk . The cost is £15 pppn, electric hookup is £8 per night. We can all camp together.

There is a pub and chip shop close by, as is the beach.

Public transport option is train to Okehampton then bus to Bude.

Gomshall/Abinger Circular Walk
2024-07-07 09:15 - 17:00
An 8 mile walk in the Surrey countryside, on woodland paths and quiet country lanes, with an optional pub stop at the finish.
Some rough ground and possible mud, so boots advised.
Getting there
Meet at East Croydon Station, 9.15 for 9.25 train.
Other ways of joining us:

at Redhill Station for the 10.10 train to Gomshall
at Gomshall Station at 10.30 to start the walk

Streatham Stroll
2024-07-09 19:00 - 22:00
NOTE this is Plan B. The original Beckenham and Kelsey Park stroll has been affected by a tram strike, so Keith has come up with an attractive alternative.
Later update: the tram strike has been called off, but we’re sticking to the Streatham Stroll.
Meet at Streatham Station (not Streatham Common or Streatham Hill!) at 7pm for a 7.15 start, then an easy evening circular amble of about 3 miles to and through the greenery of Streatham Common and The Rookery.
There are opportunities for tea stops, and we’ll finish about 9 at The Bull pub, where food is an option.
Getting There
Streatham Station is on Streatham High Road, Streatham, London, SW16 6HP. There are half-hourly trains from East Croydon (amongst other places), and it’s also on bus routes 60, 159, 133 and P13.

"Now 90!" Croydon Green Spaces Challenge Walk / Great North Wood Walk: North
2024-07-14 09:15 - 18:00
This walk will form part of COPSE’s 90th anniversary Challenge, overall visiting, appropriately enough, a total of 90 of Croydon’s green spaces. On this occasion we’ll focus on the northern parts of the borough.
Ful details of the Challenge are at the bottom of this page.
You don’t have to take on the Challenge though, you can just come aong and enjoy the walk.
Take your pick of the two options: a full day or a half day.
The Full Day covers 14 miles and will visit 32 green spaces, combining the morning and afternoon sections.

The Morning Section
7.5 miles, 17 green spaces.
Meet 9.15am at East Croydon tram stop.
W3W: https://w3w.co/making.gravy.point

The Afternoon Section
6.5 miles, 15 green spaces, joining up with those continuing from the morning walk.
Meet 1.30pm outside Woodland Café,
1451 London Road
Norbury
SW16 4AQ.
W3W: https://w3w.co/risky.force.trails
200 yards from Norbury station, buses 50, 255 and 109 pass by.
(Attendees can come to Woodland Café or adjacent Affogato Café from 12.30; and phone Andrew on 07985 936953 / check WhatsApp twilight zone group.)
Ending
The walk ends on Whitehorse Lane. From where buses run to Croydon Town centre. Or, continue to Julie’s via two bus stops or ½ mile walk.

So What’s this Challenge?
Over four walks we will visit 90 green spaces. Visit between 30 and 90 spaces and you will receive an award – bronze, silver, or gold for the full 90! And you will have your achievements recognised at the “NOW 90!” Birthday event on Saturday 14 September.

What, Croydon has 90 green spaces?
Yep, in fact 120 according to this map.
Click it for full revelation!

What sort of walks?
Each complete walk will be around 13 miles. As they are local and near public transport, it will be possible to join for part of the walk either at predetermined points or by arrangement. Clock up as many green spaces as you can while enjoying Croydon’s outstanding open spaces and landscape.
Routes will include streets, parks, footpaths and lanes. Good walking shoes should be adequate. To be eligible to receive an award there will be a small administration fee of £1.
When are they?
Currently the four walks’ dates are:

Sunday 14 July
Sunday 11 August
Monday 26 August (bank holiday)
Sunday 1 September.

We hope to repeat some or all of the walks during the week to enable as many as possible to participate.
So how do I start?
Just turn up to any of the walks!

Any questions / more information please contact me.
Andrew Thynne
07985 936953

Visitors Open Evening
2024-07-16 20:15 - 22:30 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
We welcome all visitors to come along to a sociable evening and the chance to find out what we do.
Our members will meet and greet you from 8.15pm. Coffees and teas available. There’ll be a free raffle ticket just for coming through the door – with the possibility of winning a prize donated by the outdoor shop, Decathlon!
Find us at:
South Croydon United Church Hall
Aberdeen Road
CR0 1EQ

The entrance to the hall is on Heathfield Road, next to the Church. Very close to the main road, which is served by many buses. For drivers, street parking is free in the evenings, providing you stay south of Coombe Road.

Visitors' Cycle Ride and Walk
2024-07-21 10:00 - 17:00
John will be leading the cycle ride and Ken the walk.
Both walkers and cyclists will start by meeting near the War Memorial, outside Croydon Central Library on Katharine Street.
Meet from 11.15am for departure at 11.30am
Walkers will enjoy “A Wander Along the Wandle” (about 5 miles total), starting by tram from George Street to the Wandle Park stop and then enjoying parklands and ponds, with their history to explore.
Cyclists will enjoy “A Wheeling Along the Wandle” (12 to 14 miles total), cycling from Croydon and making visits to Merton Abbey Priory Museum and Wandle Industrial Museum.
There will be lunchtime refreshment stops for both groups but you could also choose to bring a packed lunch and drinks with you.
Both walkers and cyclists will meet again about 5pm in Carshalton for an optional pub visit to end the afternoon.

Andy's Mapping and Geography Quiz
2024-07-23 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
A light-hearted way to find out how much you already know about mapping and geography – particularly some places near to home.
It’ll be multiple choice, so nobody has to think too hard, and you might actually learn something.
A fun evening in prospect.

Ruskin House Garden Party
2024-07-27 12:00 - 21:00
An annual festival featuring folk and blues music, with food stalls and licensed bars. COPSE members will be in attendance and will be hosting a stall there.

Epping Ongar Railway Beer Festival
2024-07-28
This involves journeying to Epping to the north west of London at the end of the London Underground Central Line. There we will find the “Epping Ongar” heritage railway – lots of description at the website https://www.eorailway.co.uk/.

Sunday 28 July is the last day of their Real Ale and Cider Festival https://www.eorailway.co.uk/events/real-ale-and-cider-festival/.

As well as enjoying steam engines, old railway stuff, riding old trains and hanging around delightful stations in picturesque Essex countryside, you can enjoy the dulcet tones of London’s Transport Choir featuring yours truly. There are food stalls as well as a beer stall at North Weald station. And beer sold on trains and at Ongar.

Tickets
You will need a ticket for the Epping Ongar Railway beer and cider festival event. Get it here: https://www.eorailway.co.uk/events/real-ale-and-cider-festival/.

Getting There
I recommend getting there by public transport. A bit of a trek maybe but ‘just’ a ride to the end of the Central Line, transfer to a specially provisioned heritage bus (included in event ticket) for a short ride to North Weald station. See notes below. From where trains depart south to the old Epping Forest station (no alighting!) or north to Ongar station. The route was until the 1980’s part of the London Underground system. (The heritage trains running now are full size mainline type not old ‘tube trains’.)

More details in the links shared above.

Notes

The Central Line does not directly connect with the heritage railway. It is necessary to take a (specially provisioned heritage) bus from Epping station. Suitable bus departures are 10.25 or 10.55. The journey from Epping LU station to the heritage railway is 10 minutes.
I intend to be at Epping for the 10.25 bus. So that means catching the 9.03 Thameslink from East Croydon. So that in turn means meeting at 8.50. If you prefer not such an early start, you could slip these times by half an hour.
In order to get the most out of the choir in action, I think you should arrive at the Epping Ongar railway (North Weald station) by 11.30. So, as previously mentioned, that means the connecting bus from Epping LU station at 10.55. (Or 10.25 earlier, which will enable you to do a quick trip from North Weald to Epping Forest and back by 11.30.)
Allow 1 hour and 20 minutes East Croydon to Epping LU station.
Confused? Even more detail on heritage train timetable and connecting heritage bus timetable here: https://www.eorailway.co.uk/visit/date/28-07-2024/
Still confused? Just meet me at East Croydon ticket hall at 8.50am sharp.
We travel to London Bridge first. Walk across to Bank underground station (or tube it if feeling lazy / pressed for time) and pick up the Central Line.
We depart Epping around 5pm for return home.
I will be able to inform you where and when the choir are performing nearer the time – preferably share with you during the journey there if you make the early start.

Cheers!
Andrew

Evening Stroll
2024-07-30 19:00 - 22:00
Nothing on at the Hall!
The plan is to meet at 6.45pm – 7pm outside East Croydon railway station.
Walk through Pàrk Hill to Lloyd Park then Coombe Gardens, the viewpoint, Heathfield and finish at Coombe Road tram stop for the return to Croydon. Total distance approximately 4 miles.
If you are delayed en-route please phone me (07403 808 007).
No need to book in now – If it is raining on the day I will wait as plànned and see who turns up.

Peter

Sidmouth Folk Festival
2024-08-02 08:00 - 2024-08-09 17:00
If you’re a folk music fan this is your opportunity to attend a week long festival held in beautiful Sidmouth, Devon in the company of COPSE members!
Read all about it at https://sidmouthfolkfestival.co.uk/about-us/.
This year’s full Programme has now been released. Click the picture to appreciate the huge scope and scale of this event.

Coastal Walk from Norman's Bay to Hastings
2024-08-04 10:00 - 20:00
We will follow the coastline from Norman’s Bay to Hastings, a distance of approximately 13km.
Here follows an outline of what is planned and what you need to do to join me on this walk if you’re interested.

I will be going by train to the coast and will alight at Norman’s Bay which is on the same line that goes on to Hastings. If you would like to join me, I will be at the front of East Croydon station at 9.45 and we will catch the 10.02 Southern train to Hastings that should be leaving from platform 3. You will need to get a return to Hastings which will allow us to get out at Norman’s Bay and to return from Hastings. At the moment, ticket prices with a railcard are showing up on https://uk.trip.com/ at around 18 pounds.

From Norman’s Bay, the plan is to walk along the seafront towards Hastings for a distance of around 9 miles. The tide will be high but we should be able to pass along the beach. I have done this walk before but the tide was not high at the time. It is mostly flat though we will be walking along shingle for part of the way. If you do not wish to do the whole distance there are options for catching the train prior to getting to Hastings.

We will be passing through Bexhill on the way where we will stop to visit the De La Warr Pavilion which has three art exhibitions on over the summer. https://www.dlwp.com/. Food and drink will be available in Bexhill and in Hastings but depending on your personal needs you may need to carry water and additional food.

If you would like to meet us at Norman’s Bay or elsewhere, please let me know. The train will be arriving at Norman’s Bay at 11.30. You can contact me on the day by phone. My number is 0750 284 8808.

Fingers crossed for good weather on the 4th.

Greg

Film Night 📽
2024-08-06 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Movie fun with Andrew and Sandra.
Andrew says:
Dear All.
While Ken takes a break, Sandra and I are overseeing next Tuesday. We’ve have decided it will be a Film Night. Your participation is “Paramount” to its success.
It will be like the literary (book) evening but centred around films (i.e. feature / cinema type). We’d like attendees to talk about/share, briefly, films and/or moments in films that they enjoy and think are worth shouting about.
Even better, would be to have a clip of the film. We will endeavour to facilitate this. To help, please email me (andrewthynne@hotmail.com<mailto:andrewthynne@hotmail.com>) details to help us locate it on the world wide web. Many clips are likely to be on YouTube. Better still if you can download it to a usb stick and bring that. (Search “how to download youtube videos”.)
If it’s a film web location that you can notify us of, it would help us enormously if you do this soon.
The criteria for film clips are:
* Feature / cinema film
* A short video from of a COPSE event
* Something that will be of interest to COPSE members, e.g. to do with travel, outdoors
If you can’t bring a clip, don’t worry, just be willing to tell us about it. If you can’t remember the name of the film, we can play “guess the film from the description”.
See you on Tuesday.
Andrew

"Now 90!" Croydon Green Spaces Challenge Walk: Upper Centre
2024-08-11 09:30 - 18:00
This walk will form part of COPSE’s 90th anniversary Challenge, overall visiting, appropriately enough, a total of 90 of Croydon’s green spaces. On this occasion we’ll focus on those in the Upper Central parts of the Borough.
Full details of the Challenge are at the bottom of this page.
You don’t have to take on the Challenge though, you can just come along and enjoy the walk.
Take your pick of the two options: a full day or a half day.
The Full Day
Sun 11 August – “upper centre” – approx. 15 miles across the upper belly/mid-section of Croydon from Addiscombe to Addington, Shirley, Lloyd Park, the town centre and as far west as Waddon Ponds. See indicative route map below. Note there is a mid-point / lunch stop where it is convenient to leave / join the walk. And the afternoon section passes many public transport options if you wish to leave before the end.
Bring plenty of food and drink with you. There will be limited opportunities to top up but at the mid-point is a Harvester pub – that’s Addington Village. Where we can pop in for a drink. Possibly a bite to eat if there’s time – but don’t bank on it! Towards the end of the walk we pass through the town centre and therefore shops for refreshments top up. Andy Thompson (“Mapman”) will be leading the walk (I hope to join at the mid-point.)

The Morning Section
From Addiscombe Tram Stop to Harvesters Cricketers, Addington Village
Start / meet at Addiscombe tram stop at 9am. That’s on the Elmers End / Beckenham Jct branch of the tram. Note the early start.

The Afternoon Section
From Harvesters Cricketers, Addington Village to Duppas Hill.
We will be at the Harvesters Cricketers from approximately 1pm and plan to set off an hour later. This midpoint/lunch point is close to Addington Village (interchange) tramstop.
Ending
Afternoon cessation: the afternoon route (and morning to a large extent) passes a number of bus routes and a tram stops so you can leave the walk conveniently before its end. But please ensure you inform Andy, the walk leader.

So What’s this Challenge?
Over four walks we will visit 90 green spaces. Visit between 30 and 90 spaces and you will receive an award – bronze, silver, or gold for the full 90! And you will have your achievements recognised at the “NOW 90!” Birthday event on Saturday 14 September.

What, Croydon has 90 green spaces?
Yep, in fact 120 according to this map.
Click it for full revelation!

What sort of walks?
Each complete walk will be around 13 miles. As they are local and near public transport, it will be possible to join for part of the walk either at predetermined points or by arrangement. Clock up as many green spaces as you can while enjoying Croydon’s outstanding open spaces and landscape.
Routes will include streets, parks, footpaths and lanes. Good walking shoes should be adequate. To be eligible to receive an award there will be a small administration fee of £1.
When are they?
Currently the four walks’ dates are:

Sunday 14 July
Sunday 11 August
Monday 26 August (bank holiday)
Sunday 1 September.

We hope to repeat some or all of the walks during the week to enable as many as possible to participate.
So how do I start?
Just turn up to any of the walks!

Any questions / more information please contact me.
Andrew Thynne
07985 936953
