Captions & Kit
2026-05-05 20:15 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
This Tuesday we can test our wit and part with some kit – or purchase a bargain, perhaps! Our evening will be a sociable session to study and title a selection of COPSE photos, plus the chance to contribute to the charity COPSE appropriately supports. The “photos bit” is usually rather amusing and the “kit bit” is an opportunity to boost our Club fund for the charity described below, with an illustration of the sort of equipment that the organisation provides.
The choice of sharing a percentage of any ££s that your items bring in, or of donating fully, is entirely yours. You have the weekend ahead to decide – and to find the things that you could manage your home better without!
You could send me advance photos of anything you might like to offer for sale – or post them yourself, if you’re happy to. If you have an item that is too bulky to bring to the hall, I could quite likely arrange transport / collection of it for a purchaser, in the near future. Please come back to me with any queries.
Why support ShelterBox?
With over 25 years of experience, we are experts in emergency shelter after disaster. We often work in places that others don’t, making sure that we reach families who need support to take the next step in resuming their livelihoods.
From Cameroon to Syria, all the way to the Philippines and the Caribbean, we have provided shelter to over 3 million people so far. And in these uncertain times, your support is more valuable than ever.
Regards,
Ireen Best (07968 035522)

Holmbury Happening - POSTPONED
2026-05-08 10:00 - 2026-05-10 17:00

Loop walk - Harold Wood to Hornchurch
2026-05-09 10:00 - 17:00
(LOOP* between Harold Wood and Hornchurch Country Park)

Oh deer, it hardly seems 4 weeks since we were mingling with the Deer of Harold Wood (yes, it does refer to King Harold!), and now we are ready to continue onwards with the LOOP, this time with a visit to Upminster Windmill which has open days this coming weekend (May 9th-10th, to clarify)!

Heading now southwards through the gently undulating green valley of the Ingrebourne river as it flows Thamesward and entering Hornchurch Country Park. Along the way – before the Windmill – is the Upminster Tithe Barn, not currently open to the public but worth a look at the outside of which we can make a short detour so to do.

We will go as far as the Discovery Centre at the beginning of Hornchurch Country Park, about 8 miles (including the extra bits). You can return home early from Upminster Bridge or Upminster on the District Line (before or after visiting the Windmill). Otherwise at the finish we catch a 252 bus from near the Hornchurch Park Discovery Centre to either Elm Park on the District Line or stay on further to Romford stn (whichever way you think will work out quicker, but it’s probably all ‘swings and roundabouts’ and I’ll probably get off for Elm Park on the District Line).

Upminster Windmill Open Day: Cost £6 (kids £2) and includes the sails turning at various times, and some Morris Dancing. You don’t HAVE to take part in the windmill part if you really don’t want to (especially if you’re Mr Trump!). I believe the grounds are free and it’s only the actual windmill that is chargeable, or there’s The Windmill pub on the way to the Windmill, funnily enough. Just to note that you have to be at least 1m high to visit the Windmill – I think we all just about qualify for that! (Presumably that’s to stop babies visiting??, so please leave your babies at home!) For more details on the Upminster Windmill Open Days, use our friend ‘Mr Google’ (other search engines are available, as they say).

Bring food and beverage, but refreshment opportunities en route and at the Windmill, and at the end.

How to get here

Catch the 10.01am BST train from East Croydon Rail Stn (Platform 2) to arrive at Harold Wood precisely 1hr 14 mins later, hopefully anyway. Life is not that simple, of course, and you must change at Farringdon onto the Elizabeth Line towards Shenfield, getting off at Harold Wood. I am aiming to be at East Croydon in the usual entrance foyer spot to meet up. (If there are any problems at my end, one of you will hear from me by phone.)

Paul Newbold, 07968 223589

(no emails on the day, they won’t get picked up till Sunday!)

*LOOP means London Outer Orbital Path, a 150 mile long trail around the edge of London taking in woods, meadows, rivers, parkland and even the occasional road. We are nearing the end of this particular 3.5 year run later this year (at least that’s what I’m under the impression of!), but it’s never too late to join in!!!

Guidance on Walking, Cycling and Camping – Croydon Outdoor Pursuits & Social Events Club

Streatham Common Kite Day 2026
2026-05-10 11:00 - 17:00
kite day ” is back this Sunday,

As I will be helping with the setting up of the “kite demonstration area” at the bottom of Streatham Common, I will be there from about 9am which will be officially opened by the Mayor of Lambeth at 11am + finish about 5pm.

If you’ve not been to this event before, I will be outside the Streatham Society’s gazebo on the hour from noon to 2pm where you can expect to see five teams of “professional kite flyers” each with different designs where some of them even “dance to music” !!

children’s activities (not necessarily for COPSE members) include “kite flying training”, a bouncy castle, assault courses, bungee trampolines+ face painting.

Getting to Streatham Common

Bus 109 from Central Croydon (St George’s Walk/Town Centre and West Croydon Bus Station to Streatham Common (Greyhound Lane) takes the direct route.
Other bus routes include the number 50, 250, 255, G1 and 249 if coming from a different direction/location.

Streatham Common train station and Streatham train station (British Rail) are also a short walk away from the Common.

Keith S
07749 515486

Streatham Common Kite Day

A Brief History of Canals
2026-05-12 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Late breaking news!
Llangollen Canal – Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

We’ve persuaded Richard Walker to give us his highly recommended talk on the fascinating history of canals. Come along and learn something!

The Cuckmere Pilgrims Path - Part 2 (Eastern Churches)
2026-05-16 09:00 - 17:30
This is a pretty walk with some stiles and small, gentle hills.
Cuckmere Pilgrim Path

We will walk the route from Berwick Station via the churches in Arlington to Wilmington, Lullington and finally Alfriston, with plenty of stopping on the way. The route is approximately 5.81 miles.

How to get there
Take the 09.10 train from East Croydon, changing at Lewes and arriving at Berwick Station at 10.25. Please check there is no change at Lewes.
I will meet the group at 10.25 at Berwick station

The official source for trains in Great Britain | National Rail

Travelling back from Alfriston to Berwick
Option 1 – The community bus departs Alfriston, Market cross at 17.08 and takes a long route back to Berwick Station arriving at 17.48
Option 2 – We could walk another 3 miles from Alfriston to Berwick.

Travelling from Berwick to East Croydon
Trains depart Berwick station at 9 mins past and 25 mins past the hour.
We will aim to catch the 18.09 train which arrives at East Croydon at 19.18 via Lewes.

Please bring refreshments, drinks with you.
Weather currently showing as drizzle with a gentle breeze

Look forward to seeing you all. Pauline

Guidance on Walking, Cycling and Camping – Croydon Outdoor Pursuits & Social Events Club

Interrailing for the Older Crowd
2026-05-19 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
While I’m not sure that any of our Members qualify as the “Older Crowd”, I am sure that Melanie’s and Dionne’s vast experience of European train travel will benefit us youngsters too.
They’ll tell us of their experiences (good and not so good), how to go about Interrailing, and share lots of tips on getting the best from the adventure.
Come along and learn some valuable lessons.

Museum of the home, Hackney City Farm and the Regents Canal
2026-05-23 09:30 - 17:00
Home – Museum of the Home
Hackney City Farm London
Regent’s Canal | London Canals | Canal & River Trust
This flat five mile walk will be via Shoreditch:

The Museum of the Home (free entry) (formerly “The Geffrye Museum)
Hackney City Farm (donation entry)
Lunch stop in Hackney’s “trendy” Broadway Market +
Along the regents canal to Old Street Station
With an option to go to a famous pub near the end, where we can easily get the Northern Line tube back to LB station.

If you have any queries, please let me know.
Getting There
From 9.40am meet at East Croydon station
10am train (approx) to London Bridge station

(coffee/loo stop at “the hamilton hall” wetherspoons where my walk will start from about 11.15am.

If you have any queries, please let me know.

Keith S
mobile/text = 07749 515486

Builders Arms Quiz
2026-05-26 20:30 - 22:30
Well, again we shall try to grab it! Yet again, COPSErs will be attempting to wrestle the prize (sometimes a fairly substantial pot of ££s) away from the regular teams competing at the “Builders Arms” Quiz Night.*
I have reserved two tables of six for our Members. The quiz will cost £1pp (cash) and now begins a half hour earlier, i.e. at 8.30pm. We can arrive from 6.30pm to order food and socialize before the brain strain begins.

65 Leslie Park Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 6TP
https://buildersarmscroydon.co.uk/eat-drink-1b
* N.B. On previous visits, one of our teams did achieve second place!
If you would like to be among those of us exercising our grey matter this time, please let me know.

Regards,

Ireen Best (07968 035522)

Green space walk
2026-05-31 10:30 - 17:00
Hi everyone

This is the penultimate (…means there’s still one more to come) Croydon Green Spaces Walk.

We will be meeting at Purley Library at 10.45 am on Sunday 31st and leaving at 11am visiting 14 of Croydon’s Green Spaces in West Purley, Woodcote, and Coulsdon.

We will be stopping for a break for lunch in Coulsdon centre where there are cafes, (or you can bring your own) and the walk ending at the cafe in Coulsdon Memorial Park. There is a pub in Coulsdon centre which does food.

Transport: There are plenty of buses and a train station in Purley, and buses and trains from Coulsdon, and Coulsdon Town and Coulsdon South stations at the end of the walk.

Footwear: Much of the walk will be urban but we will be using tracks, crossing fields and the Farthing Downs which could get muddy if we get any rain between now and Sunday.

Any questions please contact me 07751182930

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday in Purley.

Guidance on Walking, Cycling and Camping – Croydon Outdoor Pursuits & Social Events Club

Cheers
Andy

50 years in London Transport with John Wagstaff
2026-06-02 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Highly recommended by Chris, John will regale us with his tales of life in the slow lane with London Transport, as well as showing us some of the mementoes of his long career.

109 metres up and The Great Exhibition Road Festival
2026-06-07 10:00 - 18:00
A visit to the Battersea Power Station Chimney Lift followed by the Great Exhibition Road Festival
The Chimney Lift | View From An Icon
Please book your individual ticket for the 12:00 slot (if you want to experience the view together, that is). Good availability of slots currently showing. It is much much cheaper to book in advance ( £16 plus booking fee) than on the day.
You can register for the exhibition on the website/ Eventbrite . It’s a free exhibition from 12:00 – 18:00. (Please note that some events at the exhibition require you to register)
What’s on – The Great Exhibition Road Festival
Adults Only Zone – The Great Exhibition Road Festival
Food and Drink – The Great Exhibition Road Festival

How to get there
10:06 Train (BR) from West Croydon Station to Battersea Park station (direct train), arrives at 10:39 or
10:10 Train from East Croydon train station to Battersea Park station (change at Clapham Junction), arrives at Battersea at 10:39
10:39 Meet at Battersea Park Train Station (Do not wait for me at Croydon, I will be making my way to Battersea Park Train Station by other means)
Walk to Battersea Power Station, coffee, walk around, refreshments etc, as you please.
11.00 From 11:00 onwards (as you please), enter the exhibition before the Chimney lift. You can’t visit the exhibition after you have completed the Chimney lift descent.
12:00 The Chimney lift – up we go (the time spent up as I understand is less than 10 minutes).
12:30 (approx) Make our way to South Kensington, (by train or bus or both) enjoy the exhibition as you please (together or not together).
If there is anyone who would like to come but does not have access to a computer. or would like me to assist etc please let moi know.
Regards
Sharon
07958 686 231

Camping South West Coast Path
2026-06-08 08:00 - 2026-06-19 17:00
I have finally got round to booking a campsite.

First phase (Mon 8 June – Sat 13 June )
We are going to Stoke Barton Farm campsite, near Hartland in North Devon. The dates are arrive on Monday 8th of June, depart on Sunday 14th of June, so 6 nights. The cost is £13 pppn for twin camping or £15 pppn for single tent. If you don’t have access to a car then you can get a train to Barnstaple then a bus to Hartland, the campsite is another 1.5 miles (though you might be able to get a lift from me or a cab).

There are 2 pixie huts at £67.50 per night for 2 people, subject to availability (I haven’t checked)

I intend to walk the coastal path from Appledore to Hartland in three parts.

We will move further down the coast on the Sunday for a few days, subject to the weather, returning on Friday 19th.

Second phase (Sun 14 June – Thu 18/Fri 19 June)
I have found a campsite, Bryder Farm Camping, Stibb, which is a village about 3 miles north of Bude, for the second phase. We will be staying at Stoke Barton, near Hartland from Monday 8th June until Saturday night, then (unless the weather is foul) on Sunday 14th move on to Stibb for 4 or 5 nights, coming home on Thursday 18th or Friday 19th June.

Please let me know if you are interested in doing any part of these trips.

Guidance on Walking, Cycling and Camping – Croydon Outdoor Pursuits & Social Events Club

Tim

Ken's Kroydon Kwiz 3
2026-06-09 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
From its first incarnation via Zoom back in lockdown days, to live versions 1 and 2, my Kroydon Kwiz has evolved. Now it returns in a new, enhanced, multimedia, AI-assisted, Starlink-enabled version to tickle your local memory circuits once again.
Popular demand? Yeah, honest!
And, just because I like it, here’s a repeat from #2:

Sorry, she won’t be in it this time

On the plus side, neither will he

And definitely no hardly any roundabouts!

Turn up on Tuesday to earn the admiration of your COPSE fellows as you demonstrate your knowledge of all things local and, possibly, odd. Still guaranteed no hardly any roundabouts!

Caterham Carnival
2026-06-13 11:30 - 17:00
Caterham Carnival 2026

Please see the above link for details

Sing a long Sound of Music - Addiscombe
2026-06-13 19:00 - 22:00
Hi. Something a bit daft but may appeal to some copsers. My church is hosting a ‘Sing a long Sound of Music’ this coming Saturday evening, 13 June at 7pm.

Some details in the screen shot below and further down….

Address: Christ Church Methodist, 114 Lower Addiscombe Road, CR0 6AD
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZkEUnJFjKyHqqqK26

Light refreshments provided. Sorry NO ALCOHOL provided or permitted. (We can go the local pub after.)

It’s for fun and charity. Will take place in the actual church (not the hall). “Cabaret style” tables and chairs.

Get a ticket from me by emailing me.

Thanks and regards
Andrew

Evening Walk
2026-06-16 19:30 - 22:00
Taking advantage of the late evenings, we leave the Hall for a sociable stroll.
Meet me at Coombe Lane Tram Stop at 7.50pm stop for an easy 2.5m walk to Selsdon via Heathfield, Bramley Bank and Littleheath Woods. Tram leaves East Croydon at 7.36.
Pub visit option at end.
Return by bus to Croydon.
Steve
Tel 07914 224653

Stonehenge Midsummer Solstice
2026-06-20 08:00 - 2026-06-21 17:00
UPDATE

So, around about 7pm BST outside Salisbury Railway Station [Saturday June 20th] is what I’m aiming for as it gives plenty of time to see Stonehenge while it’s still light, and then go and “settle down” for the night until about 3.30am. The original email is shown below, minus the replies, which you can see elsewhere on your own email material, to see what other people are or are not thinking of doing.

You can come later if you wish, and I will leave my stone age phone on for communications. One bit of advice I thought of is to bring one of those survival bags along, if you possess one, which are ideal for keeping yourself warm and dry (apart from your own sweat!!), along with your jacket, blanket, etc, in your not large rucksack.

If you are thinking of coming along you really do, please, need to read their website thoroughly (if not already done so) and understand what’s what (just ‘google’ Stonehenge Summer Solstice and that should get you there)…otherwise, see you on the other side (if not before). (Enjoy singing in The Sound Of Music, and enjoy the Choral Concert…perhaps ‘The Sixteen’ (is that the right group?) will sing something from The Sound Of Music – not out of the question.

IMPORTANT: I AM NOT CERTAIN I SHALL HAVE REGULAR ACCESS TO THE INTERNET BETWEEN NOW AND MIDSUMMER, AND EVEN A BIT BEYOND (ONLY LIMITED WEBSITE USAGE ON MY TABLET, AND EMAILS ONLY AT LIBRARIES). I HARDLY KNOW WHERE I SHALL BE ONE DAY TO THE NEXT OR WHERE I SHALL COME TO STONEHENGE FROM – IT’S VERY MUCH DOWN TO “JE NACH WETTER”. SO AS I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE EMAILS UNTIL I GET BACK, I RECOMMEND YOU PHONE ME OR TEXT ME IN REAL TIME CONCERNING THIS EVENT, SHOULD YOU NEED TO.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
STONEHENGE AT MIDSUMMER SOLSTICE – JUNE 20TH-21ST WEEKEND, 2026.

PLEASE GO TO THE WEBSITE FOR THE STONEHENGE MIDSUMMER CELEBRATIONS AND READ IT THROUGH THOROUGHLY AT LEAST TWICE AS THERE ARE MANY CONDITIONS AND DOS AND DON’TS FOR ATTENDING.

Summer Solstice 2026 | English Heritage

The main headlines are that
1. If you are coming by car you need to book up in advance for parking.

2. You cannot bring any camping equipment with you on the site, NOT EVEN A SLEEPING BAG. A rug or wrap is allowed. Strictly speaking you are not even allowed to lie down, but people do, moreso as you get further away from the Stones.

So, should you happen to be attending this on the way back from a stay in the West Country (“just saying”) you need to store your camping etc, gear somewhere, i.e., in a vehicle, or perhaps at Salisbury Station. I leave you to make all these arrangements YOURSELF please.

Last year I went to this, and the weather was fine and warm, not a drop of rain in sight. BUT I imagine if the weather is not so good, it may not be entirely pleasurable to be there – it depends what you are used to. So please think about what it may be like to stay awake all night in drizzle and coolness. If the forecast is really bad I MYSEL:F will not go.

I don’t wish to put the Fear of Thor into you and put you off coming, but you need to imagine what it may be like at Stonehenge under different weather conditions!! (with no tent or proper sleeping bag with you)

The Oak and the Ash have been coming out about the same time this year, which may indicate some rainy spells this Summer, if you believe the old country saying…

My plan: Last year I got there late in the evening, and stayed until ‘late’ish’ (about 7.30am GMT or BST I can’t recall!) in the morning. By the time I got there it was dark and I was bumping into and tripping over the stones and when I put my hand out to touch a stone I found I was touching a person!! It was noisy and crowded. I lay down and rested near the stones with people climbing over me – by the time of sunrise I had rather forgotten what I was there for, and which stone to look through for the sunrise. I then hung around for a few hours, and then joined a long, long queue for the special bus back to Salisbury Rail Stn (at least two hours in the queue – it’s all a bit hazy by now). The bus back to Bournemouth (where I was staying) took some three hours owing to traffic, likely because of road works. This last bit was NOT due to Stonehenge, of course, but added to the strange day. (I then managed to catch a train to Wareham for a multiple garden open day there in the afternoon!)

THE PLAN FOR THE WEEKEND
SO THIS YEAR I want to do things the other way around: Get there early while it’s still light, and have some time to explore around the stones before it gets dark (might be quieter too!). Then retire to quite a distance from the stones (as it’s possible to do) to rest and doze through until the early hours. At sunrise (around 3.40am GMT) I shall be back at the stones. And then I shall leave quite soon (the bus service back to Salisbury starts VERY EARLY), despite possible temptations to linger on in the atmosphere. Back at Salisbury I shall either go home, go to Bournemouth on the bus (if that’s where I’m staying), or possibly – if there’s any life left in me – go and explore a bit of the city. Sometimes you get a second wind after a poor night’s sleep.

So that’s my intention. If anyone else wants to do anything differently then please do so, and we can try and meet up using the wonders of modern technology.

If the conditions are good this is quite a thing to go to and you can walk amongst the stones of Stonehenge – there’s some so-called Pagan drumming and chanting going on within the stones too! It’s free to enter, but getting there (and I imagine parking a car) is expensive. Bear in mind this is the last time the Summer Solstice falls at a weekend for some years, probably until the early 2030s (although it takes place every year, of course, whatever day it is).

Just be aware of all possibilities and bring a sense of Humour (and maybe flowers in your hair!).
Also good to bring your own food and flask. There are stalls selling food and drink (which I didn’t use last year), which will have queues.
There are loads of portaloos available.

GETTING THERE

I shall appoint a meeting time in the early evening outside Salisbury Rail Stn for anyone coming at that time. I may or may not have been in the City for part or all of the Saturday to explore around, I haven’t decided yet and may not know until much closer to the time.

A email much nearer the time will give a meeting time (around 6-7pm) outside Salisbury Rail stn on the evening of Saturday June 20th (Midsummer Even) – the Solstice is not until 8.24am GMT on Sunday June 21st, BUT THE MAIN EVENT HERE IS THE SUNRISE THROUGH AND OVER THE STONEHENGE, some hours before that at – yes – sunrise.

SO UNTIL THEN PLEASE GO STUDY THE WEBSITE and see what you think. (The special bus service timetable has not appeared yet, but will do shortly, I’m sure. DON’T CONFUSE THIS SPECIAL CHARGED BUS SERVICE FROM SALISBURY TO STONEHENGE VISITOR’S CENTRE WITH THE FREE SHUTTLE BUS LAID ON BETWEEN THE VISITOR CENTRE AND THE STONES (FOR THOSE NOT WANTING TO WALK OVER TO THE STONES (about a mile or so) ).

Paul

Desert Island Streams
2026-06-23 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Ever dreamed of being cast away with only a copy of Spotify for company? Well tonight we bring that dream perilously close to realisation.
This is your chance to inflict your musical taste on your Clubmates, and have theirs inflicted on you.
William writes:
We have done people’s favorite books, poetry and objects so on 23 June we are going to try a COPSE version of Desert Island Discs. Should you wish to participate, you will need to select two of your favorite music pieces. They can be popular, classical, jazz or whatever your preference is. The idea is to give a brief talk to explain why you like the particular piece and if it has any personal connection to you before playing it, We will stream one piece and if time allows stream both choices. To help with planning the evening, should you wish to participate please email me with the name of the song(s) music giving the name of the piece and the artist.
It would be helpful if you could confirm your choices on or before Sunday 21 June.
To be clear, we’ll find videos of the trracks wherever possible, otherwise it will be the best that Spotify can deliver.

Southdown Walk - Moved to Sunday 28th June!
2026-06-28 09:00 - 17:00
We’ve moved this walk to the Sunday as Saturday is expected to be really hot!
Hello all,
It will be a downland walk, going through Bishopstone village and over the the downs to Litlington where there are tea gardens and the Plough & Harrow pub. Then along the South Downs Way via Westdene to Cuckmere Haven, from where there is a bus back to Seaford.
It will be a hilly walk of about 8 miles. Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water and sun cream as it will be still quite warm, but there is a possibility of rain late afternoon.
So meet at E. Croydon station 8.45 with a return ticket to Seaford £19.80 with railcard.
Then we get the 9.02 to Lewes, changing there for the 10.06 to Seaford. But we alight at Bishopstone, the penultimate stop, where we meet our guide, Pauline.
Barry. Mob 07748 808608.

Visitors' Open Evening
2026-06-30 19:45 - 21:30 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Note that the NEW CLUB NIGHT TIMING starts tonight!!!
Teas / Coffees at 7.45pm. Main event at 8pm sharp(ish)!

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 7.45pm. Coffees and teas available. There’ll be a free raffle ticket just for coming through the door – with the possibility of winning a prize!
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' Ramble or Cycle Ride
2026-07-05 14:00 - 17:00 | Croydon Central Library, Katharine Street, Croydon, CR9 1ET
Both walkers and cyclists will start by meeting near the War Memorial, outside Croydon Central Library on Katharine Street.
Meet from 2pm for departure at 2.10pm
Walkers will enjoy a suburban ramble, taking in the last day of the “Art Trail” around Croydon. The route passes some interesting places and takes us through a public park. (Boots not needed, just comfy walking shoes + an en route drinks bottle.)
Cyclists will enjoy a relaxed ride that takes in Croydon’s outer areas of parkland, ponds and open views across some downs. (There will be a rest / refreshment stop but bring en route drinks.)
About 5pm, both walkers and cyclists will meet again when they finish, just inside South Croydon, for free coffees / teas and cake!

Room 101
2026-07-07 19:45 - 21:30 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
What would you put in there?
COPSE amuses itself tonight with its own full-participation version of the TV show.
Be ready to nominate your most hated / least loved object and give us the reasons why.

Capital Ring Walk 8 - Osterley Lock to Greenford
2026-07-12 10:00 - 17:00
Continuing to be inspired by Paul’s assault on the Loop, and encouraged by the enthusiastic turnout for Parts 1 to 7, I’m continuing the Capital Ring circuit – I think we’re over half-way now!
Newbies can click on the map above to see what the Capital Ring is all about.
A detailed description of this leg is at https://innerlondonramblers.org.uk/images/RingandLoop/guides/CR08-osterley-lock-to-greenford-Dec24.pdf
This leg is a stroll of about 5.5 miles, mostly on paved surfaces and with no big hills. Some muddy trails are possible.
There are plenty of feeding and toilet opportunities along the way, and there are pub options at the end, yet to be investigated.
Joining Opportunities

East Croydon station at 10.50 for the 11.03 to Farringdon.
https://w3w.co/dock.jars.folds
At Osterley Lock
https://w3w.co/detect.gums.labs

Note that the nearest tube station to Osterley Lock, Boston Manor, is only served by a bus replacement this weekend.
Contact
Ken on 07921 258876

Evening Walk - reduced to 3.3 miles
2026-07-14 19:30 - 21:30
HOT NEWS: WALK REDUCED TO 3.3 MILES
Once again we take advantage of the light summer evenings to stretch our legs into a pleasant evening stroll, possibly rounding the evening off with refreshments at a local hostelry.
Barry says:
Please meet at Sandilands tram/bus stop at 7.30pm for this walk. Access by tram or buses 119, 194, 198 or 466 from East Croydon.
We will walk across Lloyd Park, Shirley Hills, and back along Conduit Lane for a drink at Coombe Lodge, about 3.3 miles.
It will still be quite hot, so bring water and sun cream.
Walk down to Lloyd Park tram stop for tram back to E.Croydon.

Ruskin House Garden Party
2026-07-18 12:00 - 22:30
COPSE will be enjoying the Annual Folk & Blues Festival in the rear garden of Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Rd., CR0 1BD. 12 Noon to 10.30pm. £8 on door, cash or card. Live music throughout the afternoon and evening, plus side-stalls and refreshments, including a bar.

Sheila Szzvanowski's Memories of Mitcham and Croydon
2026-07-21 07:45 - 21:30 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Sheila’s memories go back a long way, and here she regales us with her stories.

Sussex market town - Lewes
2026-07-25 09:30 - 17:00
Hi, for those interested in coming along to this Saturday’s “visit to a Sussex market town”, we’ll be going back to “historic” Lewes where the plan is as follows =>

How to get there
Meet from 9.45am at East Croydon station to buy day return tickets £16 (??) with
1) a freedom pass
2) a senior rail card
=> 10.10am train (platform 3) to Lewes which (hopefully) arrives at 10.56am where the town centre is about 20 minutes walk away.

Once you’re there, you can either spend the rest of the day with me or “go solo” .

Main attractions

These are some of the main attractions all of which are easy to get to =>

1) River Ouse + nature reserve walk
2) Harveys riverside brewery
+ “the John Harvey” tavern
3) independent shops
4) independent pubs + cafes
(but no wetherspoons !!)
5) Lewes castle + gardens (£12 entry)
6) Ann of Cleeves House (£7 entry)

Things to Do – Visit Lewes

Getting back to Croydon
Trains run at 25 mins and 55 mins past the hour (train journey takes 53 minutes)

I’ll be at tomorrow’s club night to explain things before our talk starts but if you have any queries, please let me know.

Keith S
mobile/text = 07749 515486
(which is always switched on)

COPSE at the BBC Proms 2026 - Mon 27 July
2026-07-27 19:00 - 23:00
Hi

Here is the information about this year’s BBC Proms concert I have chosen for COPSE.

It’s on Monday 27 July starting at the earlier time of 7.00pm at the Royal Albert Hall. The programme includes Richard Strauss’ Alpine Symphony presented by the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Edward Gardner. Full details here: Proms 2026 Calendar – By Date – BBC

To claim one of 12 tickets, contact me soon as. Once we have established contact I will inform you how to pay me.

This year I procured the tickets a different way. Online instead of in person. This means I am limited to buying twelve tickets. (It also means I don’t yet have paper tickets. They are due to be sent to me nearer the event. This could be awkward as it means less time to distribute them.) If you are unlucky in not being able to claim one of these I share below the details of where we are sitting and how you can get your own ticket near us. (All being well.)

I have gone for a little pricier tickets this year. Not quite the back row of the “Rausing Circle”. They work out at £29 each.

To book your own ticket, visit Proms 2026 From the Alps to the Auvergne – BBC Proms – BBC

The Proms start next Friday, 17 July.

Thanks and regards
Andrew

Green and Pleasant Trivia Quiz
2026-07-28 19:45 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
It’s a fun Quiz Night, with Andrew T setting the Green and Pleasant questions.
