Parkland Walk Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace (5.5 miles)
2023-05-27 10:45 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
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.

Ken's Kroydon Kwiz
2023-06-20 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Remember the Croydon Roundabouts theme during lockdown? Oh, the fun we had!
This is your chance to relive those halcyon days – and impress your fellow COPSErs – by demonstrating your encyclopaedic knowledge of your town’s most (or possibly least) interesting features.
Not to be missed!

Event (COPSE members only)
2023-06-24 19:00 - 23:00

Trees4Croydon Walk
2023-06-25 11:00 - 17:00
The Trees4Croydon initiative runs from 10th June to 15th July. There will be a presentation and full explanation by organiser Sam Baker at the Club Night on Tuesday 13th June.

This will be a 2.5 – 3 hours depending on general pace of the group.
Trees4Croydon initiative is organised by Croydon Climate Action (previously called Croydon Friends of the Earth). The purpose is to improve local physical and mental well-being by encouraging residents to walk and explore natural surroundings. And, to help plant new trees in deprived areas around the borough: Thornton Heath; West Croydon e.g. Thornton Heath Recreation Ground and neglected wildlife and wetland area, near Viridor’s Beddington Lane Incinerator. The trees will be paid for via local business sponsors. Suitable trees will be sourced, planted and nurtured (for 3 years) by environmental organisations like National Trust. The more walks we complete, between 10th June and 16th July, will mean more trees will be planted. For further information: https://www.trees4croydon.com/
Date/ time: Sunday 25th June at 11am
Start Point: Belmont railway station (accessed via West Croydon station (one stop after Sutton)
Start and finish points are within Zone 6 of the Oyster Travel Card so participants can use Freedom passes, if necessary.
We will cross Banstead Downs then follow a track to Oakes Park. Approx. the halfway point that has a cafe with toilets for those who might need the facilities. We’ll continue through a lavender field, and some meadows, then choose another path out to more residential area above Coulsdon, called The Mount. Despite being close to London, it is surprisingly rural.
The terrain: for the walk will be grassy footpaths and rough stony tracks with three stiles to climb over. However, it’s not very hilly but has some gentle inclines. Please dress suitably for weather & terrain!
End point: Woodmansterne station.
This is on Tattenham Corner line to London Bridge via Purley and East Croydon. Woodmansterne station has a pub nearby, for refreshments, or we can continue to Coulsdon, with more choice.

COPSE members who want to join Trees4Croydon walk on 25th June can enter their own daily or weekly walking/ cycling miles between 10th June and 16th July on atlasGo app, under Sustainable Voices Team:

Download the Atlas GO well-being app onto mobile phone – instructions at https://www.trees4croydon.com/participants
Select team name (COPSE)
Register yourself and details regarding miles completed

This will add to the miles for the Trees4Croydon initiative so more suitable trees are planted in Thornton Heath and West Croydon.

Evening Walk: South Norwood Country Park
2023-06-27 19:00 - 22:00
NOTE This walk has been rescheduled from its original date of 13th June to accommodate the Trees4Croydon event.
Barry will lead this walk
Meet at Blackhorse Lane tramstop 19.30 for a walk through Brickfields Meadow and South Norwood Country Park. Returning from Arena tramstop to Addiscombe for a drink at the Claret & Ale. (1 minute from the tramstop) or continue home towards E. Croydon.

Evening Cycle to Country Pub in Woodmansterne
2023-06-30 18:45 - 23:00
Meet at 6.45pm for 7pm departure outside Fairfield Halls.
Bring cycle lights but the return to Croydon is on lit roads and a direct route.
This will be an approximately 12 mile round trip.
The intention is to arrive in time for a meal (before 9pm) but this cannot be guaranteed.

Mudlarking tour (Greenwich)
2023-07-01 11:00 - 20:00
A mudlarking tour hsas been booked for Saturday 1 July from 5.15pm to 7.15pm in Greenwich.
Bookings must be made in advance so please let Valerie know if you are interested by Sunday 11th June.
0203 332 0093

Croydon Food & Music Festival
2023-07-02 12:00 - 19:00 | South End, Croydon, Croydon, London, CR0 1DP, United Kingdom
COPSE will be there!

Come along to South End to enjoy the food and the music, and visit our stall to find out what COPSE is about!

Visitors' Open Evening
2023-07-04 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
A chance to be greeted, meet some Club members and find out what we do.
Come along to our Hall from 8.15pm

Evening Cycle to country pub in Fickleshole
2023-07-07 18:45 - 23:00
Meet at 6.45pm for 7pm departure outside Fairfield Halls.
Bring cycle lights for return which will be on some unlit roads but a direct route.
It is approximately a 10 mile round trip.
The intention is to arrive in time for a meal (before 9pm) but this cannot be guaranteed.

Kent LDWA Challenge Walk Stonegate (15, 20 or 26 miles)
2023-07-08 09:00 - 17:00
Would you like the opportunity to challenge yourself in an event similar to the Gatliff Marathon?
Kent Long Distance Walkers Association are holding such an event on Saturday 8th July. The course options are 26 miles, 20 miles or 15 miles. Everything operates in a very similar way to the Gatliff Marathon including the use of written route instructions.
Entry fees are:

LDWA Member
Non Member

15 Miles
£12.00
£17.00

20 Miles
£9.00
£14.00

26 Miles
£9.00
£14.00

Start: Stonegate Village Hall, Forge Field, Stonegate, TN5 7ED (GR TQ668285) Direct trains from London Bridge to Stonegate Station (1 hour).
Start: all 26ml at 08:30; all 20ml & 15ml at 10:00.
Entries close on Sunday 2nd July. 145 people have entered so far (28 June). Although the website doesn’t state a maximum number of entrants it is a good idea to book ASAP in case they close the list before 2nd July. I have booked the 15 mile course (I would like to test how the GPX file works as I have volunteered to create one for the Gatliff!).
The following link provides further details and online entry: SiEntries – High Weald Walk (26m/20m/15m)

Sandra

Extract from SI Entries website:
“Brand new routes, open to walkers and runners, primarily on undulating footpaths and lanes, offering extensive views over the surrounding countryside and a glimpse of the sea!
The three routes start at Stonegate Village Hall to head towards Burwash and Punnets town. The 15 miles route then returns to Stonegate. The two other routes continue to the pretty village of Mayfield, where they diverge. The 20 miles route goes back to Stonegate, while the 26 miles route visits Wadhurst before returning to the finish.
From Stonegate Village Hall, Forge Field, Stonegate, TN5 7ED (GR TQ668285) – please park in field adjacent to the hall as directed by marshals. Direct trains from London Bridge to Stonegate Station (1 hour).
Start: all 26ml at 08:30; all 20ml & 15ml at 10:00.
All to finish by 19:00.
Entry fee incl tea/coffee at start, simple food & drinks at all CPs and at finish, certificate for in-time finishers.
Badge available at finish.
Well behaved dogs are welcome. Owners will be required to fill in a Dog Registration form, and keep their dog on a leash at all times.
All entrants to carry own mug as none provided.
You must wear suitable footwear and clothing and carry a printed route description, maps (electronic versions accepted), compass;
OS Explorer 136/135/124 or OL199 cover the routes.
Route descriptions and gpx files will be available from the Kent Group website a week prior to the event.”

Cycle ride to Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking.
2023-07-09 09:30 - 18:00
Meet at Swan and Sugar Loaf (now Tesco) at 0930. Approx 30-40 miles. Hilly

Ice Cream Walk
2023-07-11 20:00 - 22:00
Meet at 8pm outside Fairfield Halls Croydon for a 60 to 90 minute stroll through lesser visited parts of Croydon culminating at an exciting new ice cream parlour.
A bus ride back to the town centre and visit to a recently re-vamped pub so bring travel passes.

Camping Trip to Cornwall (1 week)
2023-07-13 08:00 - 2023-07-19 17:00

The Wind in The Willows. (Play by Alan Bennett)
2023-07-15 17:30 - 20:30 | Gatton Park OPen Air Theatre

Builders Arms Quiz
2023-07-18 20:30 - 22:00 | Builder’s Arms Pub, 65 Leslie Park Road, Croydon, CR0 6TP

Epping & Ongar Railway Beer & cider festival
2023-07-23 08:00 - 17:00
A leisurely Sunday including enjoying Andrew’s transport choir.
Andrew says:
I will be aiming to catch the 8.54 train to London Bridge from East Croydon. Do join me if you like. I’ll try to be in ticket hall from 8.45am. Trains are running albeit with possible knock on disruption from the previous day’s amended timetable. You can travel later, just read the information below to complete your journey.
I will then aim to travel to Epping underground station in time to catch the (heritage) bus connection (included in event ticket booked at: https://www.eorailway.co.uk/events/real-ale-festival/ ) to North Weald station where the EOR heritage railway main hub is. Bus scheduled to depart Epping station at 10:25. (If Central Line is messed up by strike action, an alternative is Elizabeth Line to Shenfield.)
The heritage bus connections (between Epping underground station or Shenfield NR station and North Weald on the EOR (plus some intermediate stops)) timetable is shown below. (The yellow is recommended buses for choir.) But note there are two earlier buses from Epping, shown in the full bus timetable here: https://www.eorailway.co.uk/_img/pics/pdf_1689026521-682.pdf, that’s 9.40 and 10.25.
Once at North Weald, you can join the Epping Ongar Railway and visit the main beer and cider festival marquee. Suggest you buy your event ticket first here: https://www.eorailway.co.uk/events/real-ale-festival/ .
The choir sing at North Weald station 11.30 to 11.55; then Ongar station 12.55 to 13.30. (And we travel on the 12:00 train from North Weald to Ongar and the 13:35 train from Ongar to North Weald when we stop singing and can drink beer. We may even be singing on those trains.)
Beer is also served on the trains, see details on the train timetable below.
Myth busting – my understanding is the Epping Ongar Railway is a heritage line and runs between its Epping Forest and Ongar stations. With North Weald in between and which is the main hub of the railway. It does not run into Epping underground station. A connecting bus is included in the EOR ticket. I believe it’s not far to walk from Epping underground station to Epping Forest station on the EOR line. William or Barry will be able to provide exhaustive details. The line was once part of the Underground network until the 80’s I believe. The is a long term aspiration to run EOR trains into Epping Underground station.

Have fun.
Andrew

Mull Retrospective
2023-07-25 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
In May this year twenty of COPSE’s finest spent a week in a lodge on the beautiful island of Mull, in the Inner Hebrides.
A great time was had by all, enjoying the island in numerous ways – touring, wildlife spotting, walking, boating, eating & drinking and playing silly games.
This evening we’ll present a multimedia experience to relive the trip and show the rest of you what you missed. Should be a fun and informative night.

Evening Meal out at a Local Croydon Restaurant
2023-07-27 18:30 - 22:30

Ruskin House Garden Party
2023-07-29
As well as attending this excellent event in COPSE’s usual large numbers, we’ll have a stall to publicise the Club.

Summer Stroll
2023-08-01 20:30 - 22:00
Meet outside our Tuesday meeting hall from 8pm for an 8.15pm departure. We will walk for 60 to 90 mins / approx. 2 miles, through South Croydon taking in the lesser visited Haling Grove and the spaciousness of Purley Way Playing fields. Majestic architecture, flora and dusk skies will amaze us.
You can curtail the walk with a ride on the 119 bus but eager copsers will wish to conclude the walk via the enigmatic Violet Lane and The Waldrons, dip down via an old Club haunt and up to our usual watering hole of Ruskin House (approx. 9.45 / 10pm).
Andrew
