Croydon Outdoor Pursuits & Social Events Club

Merstham Aid Project (MAP) Annual Quiz Night
2023-03-25 19:00 - 22:30 (Europe/London)

Fairfield Halls: Swedish Philharmonia
2023-03-27 19:00 - 22:30

The Grand Theatre and its place in Croydon, by Carole Roberts
2023-03-28 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
I’m sure you all know where this part of your Croydon heritage is, and all the details and history behind it.
You don’t??? 🙄
OK, an excellent reason to hear Carole Roberts give her talk on The Grand Theatre and its place in Croydon this coming Tuesday. This talk comes highly recommended, so please take your seats in timely fashion for a prompt 8.30 start.

Photo Competition
2023-04-04 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
COPSE Photo Competition
Win a prize!
The competition will be judged by you, COPSE Members, on Tuesday, 4th April.
Categories:

· Born to be Wild
· Weather
· Home
· Street Furniture

· A Lovely View
· Generations
· Tranquillity
· Chaos

To enter:
1. The photo must be taken by you.
2. Provide up to 8 entries to the competition.
3. Preferred and maximum print size is A4.
4. Photo(s) must fall into one of the 8 categories above
5. Enter any number of photos into any category, total entries not to exceed 8.
6. Photos must be presented to Sandra or Ireen by 8.00pm on the Tuesday competition evening or in advance at an earlier Club Night, if possible. Photo prints must be in an unnamed envelope or opaque folder. On the back of each photo, write your name, competition category, plus type and make of camera, if known.
7. The photo(s) must not previously have appeared in our Club competitions.
8. Captions must not be added to the photo(s) .
9. The entrant must be an amateur photographer.
10. The photo(s) may be retrieved after the competition.
To win:
1. You must comply with the above.
2. Club Members present on the competition evening will vote via secret ballot for their favourite in each category in the first round and as instructed in further rounds.
3. The top 8 scoring photos together with the highest scoring of each category (if they are not among the top 8) from the first round will go through to the next round of voting (so a maximum of 15 photos going through). Further rounds will be held, as necessary, to determine an overall winner.
4. Photos may be entered on your behalf, if you cannot attend the evening.
5. In any matter pertaining to the running of the competition, or the alteration of these rules outlined above on the evening of the competition, the Members’ majority decision will be final.
Good Luck!

Walk: Harpenden Circular (11 miles)
2023-04-08 09:00 - 17:00
This walk will lead us to Ayot St Lawrence, a pretty village and home of George Bernard Shaw (Shaws Corner is a NT property)
So meet at E. Croydon by 9.15 for the 9.33 Thameslink Bedford train to Harpenden. 3 stops beyond zone 6. £14.50 or less with freedom passes, Network cards or other railcards. (We return from Harpenden)
It will be about 11 miles with a possibility of a slightly shorter route back, but not too hilly. Best bring a packed lunch, but there is a lovely old pub, The Brocket Arms in the village. Don’t forget NT passes if you want to visit the house.
Return trains from Harpenden at 08; 22; 38 & 52 past the hour, journey of 56 minutes.

Easter Monday South Downs Walk
2023-04-10 09:30 - 17:00
This will be a circular walk from Amberley and take in Arundel roughly in the middle of the walk where there are shops and cafes. So you may like to plan to grab some refreshment there but I would carry some snacks and a drink with you.

It is an early start – catching a train from East Croydon to Amberley, from where we return. The train departs at 8.53am. Please arrange to have a day return ticket ready be present in the ticket hall by 8.45am. To link up with others who may be able to share a group ticket or railcard, arrive much earlier, say 8.35am.

The walk will be on public footpaths, sometimes on riverside, sometimes up and over a low hill and fields and such like. All very beautiful scenery. Likely muddy in places.

Don’t forget to bring extra layers, waterproofs, good walking shoes or boots. It would be helpful to have something to sit on such as a mat or plastic bag, if we make a prolonged stop enroute in the countryside.

In case you wondered, the Bridge Inn by Amberley station closes at 5pm (and stops serving food earlier), I believe. As does the Riveside Tea rooms – although we may reach the tea rooms for last orders at 4.30pm.

Carshalton Folk + Walk
2023-04-11 14:00 - 23:00 | CryerArts Centre, 39 High St, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3BB
Outing: Folk Night at the Cryer Arts Theatre, + preceded by Wandle Walk
This is a near repeat of our previous outings to Cryer Arts for an evening of excellent folk music, but, to keep it interesting, the walk will take a different route.

Feel free to join us for the walk, the Folk Night or both.
Due to planned engineering works on the trams from East Croydon to Reeves Corner until Monday (17th), the revised plan is as follows
part 1 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️🎒 🥾
—————————–
1.45pm at WANDLE PARK TRAM STOP
=> 2pm tram (approx) to Phipps Bridge for a five mile “flat” walk (which could be muddy !!) via Morden Hall Park (NT), the river Wandle, “wilderness island”, Carshalton Ponds to Carshalton High Street (where you can either “drop out” + get various buses back to Croydon or stay for the Cryer Arts Centre’s monthly Folk Club).
part 2 🥗🍜☕🍺
_________________
Cryer Arts Centre’s bar (from say 5pm) for reasonably priced meals + drinks

part 3 🎸🥁 🗣🎙
—————————-
Folk Club from 7pm (£5 entry) which can be booked at
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/RdiEJKhzXNnT, or pay at the door.
If you have any queries, please contact Keith.

Walk: Seagull Trail Part 4 Nutfield to Crawley Down (11 miles)
2023-04-15 09:00 - 17:00
This approximately 11 mile walk will be from N U T F I E L D RAIL STATION to Crawley Down (NOT near Crawley!), Sussex and will bring us halfway to Brighton.
Fairly undulating country along paths and tracks, and some lanes. We go via Outwood with its windmill and head further south under the flight path into or out of Gatwick. We may have an early drink at a pub at Outwood (The Bell, I believe) and/or find a bench for sandwiches, as there are no more such facilities or good places to picnic before the end, unless we just sit in a field, as we do sometimes.
We return by a bus (272, 282, or 291) from either the War Memorial or Burleigh Way at Crawley Down (depending on timing). Buses go to Three Bridges from where we catch a train to East Croydon. Buses also go the other way to East Grinstead, and that will mean getting a single train ticket from East Grinstead to East Croydon.
Logistics: Meet at East Croydon from 9.15am to catch the 9.37am Three Bridges train GETTING OFF at Redhill, changing there onto the Tonbridge train at 10.09 (under subway), getting off at the first stop at Nutfield at 10.14am.
Best to buy a day return to Three Bridges (to return from that station) and buy a single ticket from Redhill to Nutfield (buy this single ticket when you buy your ticket at East Croydon please so there’s no need to buy it at Redhill, otherwise you can probably pay on the train if need be). The change period at Redhill is possibly/likely not long enough to buy a ticket there.

London Clarion Cycle Club
2023-04-18 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
From their website:
“The London Clarion Cycle Club is an inclusive, friendly community of cyclists from all around London. Founded in May 1895, we are one of the capital’s oldest cycling clubs and take our motto “Fellowship is Life” from William Morris. In an effort to promote socialism, members would cycle out to meetings and distribute literature while enjoying a glass of ale! We promote socialist, anti-fascist and feminist values while remaining collective and politically minded.”
Join us for a presentation on their history, purpose and activities.

Weald Walkers Wander
2023-04-23
A Walking Rally with a Difference
A 10 mile Treasure Hunt
Solve the Clues
Find the Checkpoints
Test your Map Reading Skills
Challenges at Checkpoints
The Date and Time: 23rd April 2023 (start 8.45am to 9.30am)
THE EVENT: The walk is usually about 10 miles. You will need to solve clues to find each checkpoint and your map and compass skills will also be put to the test. Points are awarded for completing quizzes and games, at the checkpoints. A trophy is awarded to the winning team.
THE TEAMS: You will need to enter in teams of between 2 and 5 people. Everyone is welcome – young or not not so young, families or other groups, however at least one person in each team must be 16+.
TIME: Start times are between 8.45am and 9.30am.
START/FINISH: Chiddingstone Causeway Village Hall, Tonbridge Road, Chiddingstone Causeway, TN11 8JS – Kent – Grid Ref TQ 518 466.
WHAT TO BRING: The latest Explorer map 147, 1:25,000 scale, pen and paper, compass, suitable footwear and clothing. Also bring your packed lunch..
CHECKPOINTS: Cold drinks and biscuits will be provided at all checkpoints. Hot drinks and fruit will be served at the lunch stop, and cream tea and cakes at the finish.
ENTRY/REGISTRATION: In advance: Adults £8.00, U16 £4.50 or On the day: Adults £10.00, U16 £5.50.
Please apply for entry form to Olga. E-mail: olgameme@hotmail.com
Cheques should be made payable to COPSE.

The Search for the Yeti – talk by Clare Walker
2023-04-25 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
After Clare’s talk on Women Spitfire Pilots back in November. demand was high for another visit from her.
So here she is to tell the story of her husband’s trip to the Himalayas with Chris Bonington in search of the Abominable Snowman. Did they find him, or did he find them? Take your seat and find out!
Visit Clare’s website for details of her and her talks.

Visit to Kew Gardens
2023-04-29 09:45 - 18:00
9.45am meet EC stn—10am train to CJ stn—–10.40am train to richmond stn—-tube or overground to kew gardens stn for about11.30am — then a short ten minute walk to the main “victoria gate”

ticket prices (without donation)booked in advance.:– Adults £19.00. Concessions (65+) £18.00
on the day (without donation):-. Adults £24.00. Concessions (65+) £21.50.
For tickets. See URL Link below

It’s normally very busy on saturdays, it would advisable that everybody books their ticket well “in advance” for either a noon or a 12.15pm “entry time slot” (although there might be tickets left for later in the day).
Once inside kew gardens, you can spend the rest of the day as you please until 5pm/5.30pm when
we’ll meet up at the shop by the main “victoria gate”
Depending on time/weather, there might be awalk back to richmond + find local pub for a drink.

Builders Arms Quiz
2023-05-02 20:30 - 23:00 | Builder’s Arms Pub, 65 Leslie Park Road, Croydon, CR0 6TP

Week in Mull
2023-05-03 08:00 - 2023-05-10 17:00

In the Footsteps of Ewan MacColl
2023-05-09 19:00 - 23:00 | Stanley Arts, 12 South Norwood Hill, London, SE25 6AB, United Kingdom

Walk/Visit to Isabella Plantation
2023-05-13 09:30 - 18:00
Meet East Croydon Station 9.30 change Clapham Junction, for 9.52 train to Richmond (platform 5), arrive Richmond 10.01.
We will then walk along the river and up through Petersham to enter Richmond Park through the Petersham gate (where there are toilets) We will then walk through the park to the Isabella plantation, where there are also toilets.
The Plantation is a 40 acre woodland garden (entry is free) set within a Victorian woodland plantation planted in the 1830’s. First opened to the public in 1953, it is best known for its evergreen azaleas, which line the ponds and streams and at their peak of flower in late April and early May. There is no guarantee that they will be at their peak for our visit but there should still be plenty to see.
After spending an hour or so at the gardens we will return via Pembroke Lodge, where there are refreshments, and will leave the park via the Richmond Gate and return down Richmond Hill taking in the fine views over the river and diverting as you wish to any of the pubs and cafes on the way back. The whole walk will be approximately 6 miles.
____________________________________

Spring into Summer - Walk with Olga
2023-05-16 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Olga will take us on a walk. From her email:
We are going to have a very local walk as it starts getting dark about 8.30 – SO…
Meet by the main entrance of Park Hill in Barclay Road (near the Magistrate Court) at 19.30
We will walk through Park Hill and then towards Lloyd Park. It is going to be an easy and relaxed three miles walk.
On the way back we can go for a drink to The Porter and Sorter near East Croydon station.

Day trip to Littlehampton
2023-05-20 09:00 - 17:00
Meet at East Croydon station at 08:45 to catch the 09:04 from Platform 3 to Littlehampton, arriving at 10.33. If you want the loo go before you exit the ticket barrier at Platform 1 at Littlehampton station.
We will walk over the river via the footbridge, to Arun Yacht Club for around 11:00. Then you can sample activities on offer at the Open Day: https://arunyc.co.uk/club-open-day/.
At around 11:30 another option is to walk to Climping along the shingle beach, to have lunch, cafe and toilets. We can walk back through the grounds of Bailiffs’ Court and return to Littlehampton.
In the evening you can continue along the promenade for tea and biscuits at Anne’s in Rustington, before enjoying a sundowner at the Beach Cafe roof terrace.
Retrace your steps for the train at Littlehampton. All options are weather dependent.
Any queries to Margaret and Anne.

Bluebell Railway: Summer Steam Gala
2023-05-21 09:00 - 17:00
There will be lots of traction engines, crane engines, a vintage fair and so on.
See https://www.bluebell-railway.com/road-meets-rail/
Catch the 09.39 train from East Croydon to East Grinstead where you can transfer to the Bluebell Railway.

Our Trip to Chile
2023-05-23 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Olga and Marco
NOTE that this event has moved from its original date of 16th May

Parkland Walk Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace (5.5 miles)
2023-05-27 10:45 - 17:00
Meet at East Croydon station at 10.45 to get the 11.01 to Finsbury Park.
The walk ends at Ally Pally where we can join the FREE 150 year celebration party!
We can get the train back from Ally Pally station to Finsbury Park then onwards to East Croydon

Day Cycle Ride
2023-05-29 09:30 - 17:00
Meet at 9.30am outside Fairfield Halls.

Captions & Chatter
2023-05-30 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom

Planning Meeting
2023-06-01 18:30 - 22:00 | Crown & Pepper, 242 High Street, CR0 1NF
Planning Meeting for both Outdoor and Club Night activities.
This is where we put together the next quarter’s schedule – your chance to get your ideas onto the Club plan. Bring along your proposals for activities we can all share.

We have the back room of the Crown & Pepper. The meeting proper is scheduled for 7.30, but you’re also welcome to join us for a meal first, starting at 6.30.

Cycle Ride (meet at Croydon Minster 9.15am)
2023-06-04 09:15 - 18:00
Meet at 9.15am at Croydon Minster for 9.30am start.
Coffee stop at Watermill cafe.Merton Abbey Mills.
Visit to near-by remains of Merton Priory.Archbishop Thomas Becket schooled here in c1130.
Henry IV was crowned here 1437, and his privy council met here.
Then cycle to the end of the Wandle where it meets the Thames.
Depending on the time we may cycle on to Tate Britain.to see large bronze sculpture outside the Tate by Sir Charles Bennent Laws outside because it was too big to go inside, Charles Bennent laws was President of the Anerley Bicycle Club in 1906 when he did the sculpture.A number of Copse members are or have been members of the Anerley Club.
We Might have to skip the visit to the Tate if the time is short.
Ride back up the Wandle, stop again at Merton Abbey Mills Cafe’s
Short detour off the Wandle Trail,to visit the oldest railway station in the world at London Road Mitcham . also close by a visit to Wandle Industrial Museum, then back to the Wandle Trail.The Museum is only open between 2pm and 5pm so we might need to miss the Tate visit!
Don’t forget to take a spare inner tube, better to take two.

Evening Walk: Merstham lakes
2023-06-06 19:00 - 22:00
Margaret will lead this walk.
Meet at East Croydon at 19:00 to catch the 19:06 train to Merstham which arrives at 19:23. Margaret will meet you at Merstham station.
We will walk around Mercer’s Lake and possibly some other lakes in the Merstham area. The walk is mainly flat. We will finish with a drink at the Feathers pub.

Day trip to Portsmouth
2023-06-10 09:00 - 17:00
As many of you will know there is much to see and do here including of course a visit to the historic dockyard where you can see the fascinating Mary Rose Museum which as well as all the artefacts which have been brought from the sea has a new “4D immersive experience”, which is included in the price of the ticket. More details on this can be found at www.maryrose.org.
As well as the Mary Rose, the dockyard includes many other attractions including HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. You can buy separate tickets for the attractions or one ticket which for £39 allows you to visit 10 different attractions as many times as you like for a whole year. There are, of course, other things to do in Portsmouth such as visiting the famous Spinnaker Tower and there are also walking tours of various sorts. There are also plenty of pubs and cafes for refreshments.
I am proposing that we meet at East Croydon Station at 9.10 to take the 09.23 train to Portsmouth Harbour which gets in at 11.05. Direct return trains are at 11 minutes past the hour. According to my train App return tickets are as little as £7.90 if booked online. A return on the day is £35.60 or £23.45 with a senior rail card.
Would anyone who is interested in going on this trip please email me as soon as possible, or you can text me on 07534 113930.
Nicky

Trees4Croydon Presentation
2023-06-13 20:30 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
This is a presentation by Trees4Croydon, where we will determine the scope and nature of COPSE’s participation in this year’s event.
Full details to follow – watch this space!
(NOTE Barry’s walk, originally scheduled for this date, will now be on 27th June)

Portobello Road Market / Brands Museum
2023-06-17 08:00 - 17:00
We now have a meeting time of noon at East Croydon station.
Please gather in the ticket hall area and, once together and railcard options considered, we’ll catch the next fast train to Victoria then the tube’s Circle Line to Notting Hill Gate.
So far, I have twelve definite attenders and I’ll confirm, separately, to each of you that you’re on the list. If you have not yet “signed up” but would like to come, please let me know. All extras welcome! (If you would like to link up with us somewhere en route, or later in the afternoon, please note my phone number 07968 035522 and ring to find where we are.)
The intention is:
1 To enjoy a couple of hours or so wandering through Portobello Road Market, browsing at the stalls and their wares. There should be various food outlets to use but do bring your own packed lunch, if you would prefer to – and, of course, drinks for what we hope will remain a warm, good-weather day.
Here’s a link to some interesting features in the market area: https://londonist.com/london/great-outdoors/oddities-to-spot-on-portobello-road
2 From the market, we’ll walk to the Museum of Brands. This should have numerous items from over the decades that will tweak our memories, especially while exploring “The Time Tunnel”.
https://museumofbrands.com/
For this museum visit, we can gain a group discount, if we have ten or more people.
Group prices:
Concessions £6.30 pp
Ordinary adult £8.30 pp
We can have a mixed-age grouping.
(Non-group prices are £7 concessions, £9 ordinary adult.)
For those who might like to extend our day by enjoying a meal together, following the museum, we hope to find an eatery in that area.

Ireen

Walk: Wandle Trail (Croydon to Wandsworth) 14 miles
2023-06-18 09:45 - 17:00
For those interested in this “river wandle trail challenge” (14 miles) next sunday 18/6, this is the plan =>
From 9.40am meet at Wandle Park tram stop for a 10am (approx) start
=> a “faster paced” 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ 🎒 🥾 flat walk via wandle park no 1, waddon ponds, beddington park,
the grove, dale park, poulter park, ravensbury park, morden hall park, merton abbey mills (drinks stop
at “the william morris” pub), wandle park no 2, wandle meadow nature park, garratt park, king georges park where
it joins (= confleunce) the river thames at wandsworth with hopefully a riverside pub 🍺🍷☕ at the end !!
As it’s “a walking challenge” ideally we should all start together at Wandle Park tram stop but there will be various “drop out” points/loo stops along the way.
