Croydon Outdoor Pursuits & Social Events Club

Linda and Tim's Trip to Scotland
2024-11-12 20:15 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Linda says:
Good Evening Everyone,
I do hope you can join us tomorrow evening for a little trip to Scotland and enjoy some of our photos, to follow our route and let us entertain you with a Tim & Linda style narrative. We will honestly try very hard not to bore anyone.
There maybe something Scottish on offer – no, not Scotland’s best malt whiskey, just in case you build your hopes up.

Folk Evening, All Saints, Merstham
2024-11-16 19:00 - 23:00
Merstham Women’s Group (MWG) is holding a Folk Evening which is open to all on the evening of Saturday 16 November at 19.00, at Canada Hall, All Saints Church, Battlebridge Lane, South Merstham, RH1 3LH. Would you like to join us? All Saints Church is around a 15 minutes walk from Merstham station, which has frequent trains to Croydon. There is plenty of on street parking.
This will be an evening of live music with local band, The Cohorts. Tickets are £10 each. There will be two sessions of music with an interval where MWG will be selling teas, coffees, squash and snacks. The evening will end with a raffle.

The Cohort Folk Band
Live in Merstham
Saturday 16th November
Canada Hall, 7pm £10.25
Buy tickets here

Oxted RNLI
2024-11-19 20:00 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Lifeboats in Oxted?
Linda clarifies:
Lois Atterton from the Oxted branch of the RNLI is coming to give a talk on how the RNLI began; how it has changed and developed over the years to become the amazing institution it is today – and it is still just a charity.
Lois is a good speaker as I heard her speak this year and I can thoroughly recommend coming to listen to her talk. Please come along early to get your refreshments, so we can start on time.

Planning Meeting
2024-11-21 20:00 - 22:00 | Spreadeagle Pub, 39-41 Katharine St, Croydon, CR0 1NX, United Kingdom
This is your chance to set the agenda for the next quarter for both Club Nights and Outdoor activities. Bring along your proposals and bright ideas – very few are ever rejected!
And if you can’t make the meeting send them in to me.

Where?

An upstairs room in the Spread Eagle pub,
Katharine Street

When?

Thursday 21st November
6.30pm for food & drink (optional)
8pm for Business

"Borough and Elephant & Castle" Walk
2024-11-24 09:00 - 17:00
An easy stroll, no more than 4 miles, finishing about 3.30pm.
From 10am meet at East Croydon station =>10.20 train (platform ?) to London Bridge station (loo stop 🚻 only) where my walk will start via the Shard, Guy’s Hospital, the old Operating Theatre (optional visit) which is open from 10.30am to 5pm where the admission is £7 (concessions) + £9 (adults), Borough Market and “Crossbones Cemetery”.
Lunch stop at the Elephant + Castle’s Wetherspoons (The Rockingham Arms), the new “elephant park”” development with its “elephant springs” 💦 + then via backstreets to a “quietish” pub near London Bridge station.
If you have any queries or intend joining us later in the day somewhere, please let me know.

Keith Southam
keithsoutham@yahoo.co.uk
mobile/text = 07749 515486
(which is always “switched on” !!)

OBJECTivity, + a "September Presentation"!
2024-11-26 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
This will be a relaxed evening in South Croydon. We shall welcome any of you that can make it – with or without objects!
🤔 ? 😆 ? 🧐 ? 😳
However, if you can, please lift off your shelves, extract from your treasure chests of mementoes or seek from storage boxes beneath your beds etc. any object(s) that can be brought to our hall with an explanation offered. We have entertained ourselves in this manner previously and an interesting array of items was displayed.
Have you something that is a little puzzling and perhaps not readily identifiable? Have you a family heirloom – from this country or from another? Please bring that. It might be an extraordinary “something” or just a very ordinary “something”, but with a tale to tell about it. In other words, anything goes – or comes, please! So, be it of sentimental value, of educational interest, or something humorous, we do hope you can bring it along.
If you pass me up to three of your objects, when you arrive at the hall, these will form our initial display. If you have further items, please keep them bagged but with you and they could be added, if time allows.
The “September Presentation” bit will happen at announcements, giving advance details of a Club-wide trip that some of you might like to join.

Local Restaurant Evening Meal
2024-11-28 19:00 - 22:00
You might well like Cornish pasties and cream teas but, “No!” these will not be served. With the restaurant named “The TRURO”, perhaps West Country favourites might be expected. However, that name is of a ship that travelled from India to South Africa, during the 19th century. The cuisine served at the restaurant is a combination of both those places.
We can be seated together, separately from other tables. The menu is attached. Ken and I have already enjoyed a meal there.
Our COPSE booking is for 7pm (eating time is usually a little later, by the time everyone is gathered and seated).
Location: 3-7 Southend, Croydon, CR0 1BE. From our hall, it’s just straight along the main road towards Croydon, the penultimate building on the right before Coombe Road.
Please let me know, if you’d like to go on our dining list.

Regards,

Ireen Best (07968 035522)

—

Reigate Christmas Fayre and walk in the afternoon
2024-11-30 10:30 - 17:00
Dear COPSE
Please join me for these events on the Saturday 30 November.
In the morning from 11:30 you can shop at Reigate’s Christmas Fayre organised by the Reigate Business Guild: Christmas Fayre – Reigate Business Guild.
In the afternoon at 13:30 please meet me at the Renewed Hope/RDO stall outside Hamptons Estate Agent at 6 Church St for a linear walk of 3 miles along the Greensand Way to Redhill, taking in Priory Park and Redhill Common. This may be muddy in places, so walking boots are recommended. There will be some uphill and downhill sections on the walk.
Please have your lunch etc. before starting the walk and be ready to leave promptly at 13:30. There will be lots of catering options at the fayre, together with a choice of cafes and pubs in Reigate.
Trains leave East Croydon for Reigate at 10:56 and 11:26. You can also get the 405 bus to Redhill and then get another bus to Reigate. There will be road closures in Reigate for the Fayre, soparking may be difficult. Parking in the vicinity of St Mark’s church Reigate is possible and is just outside the controlled parking zone.
We will finish the walk in Redhill around 16:00.

RNLI Fundraiser at Ruskin House
2024-11-30 19:00 - 23:00 | Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon, CR0 1BD, United Kingdom
Below, please find the reminder for this Saturday evening. As per Margaret’s email, you can enjoy the daytime with her but also be back in Croydon to enjoy music for a very good cause!
Slotting most neatly into our COPSE programmes, as a follow-on from last Tuesday’s Club Night, is this Saturday’s local RNLI fundraising concert. Details, as per poster. However, I have arranged with the organiser that he will reserve seats for COPSErs to sit together, if I can tell him in advance our number attending.

You will pay your own fee at the door. (Some of us will gain the reduced entry cost!) A good few COPSErs attended this concert previously and had an enjoyable, musical evening. If you would like to come this time, please do let me know and you will be added to my Club list.

Regards

Ireen Best (07968 035522)
—

Christmas Art
2024-12-03 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Tuesday night at the Hall we’ll once again dig deep into our reserves of artistic talent to create some Christmas cheer in anticipation of our party on the 17th.

Talents on show last time

.
Come along, with or without your own materials, to make some decorations and generally make the place festive.
Ken

"Hidden Carshalton" Walk - POSTPONED!
2024-12-08 09:00 - 17:00
This event has been POSTPONED due to Storm Darragh!
. . . because not only morning bus travel from the croydon area will be difficult, but also Sutton Council are almost certain to close both Grove Park + Wilderness Island for safety reasons. Consequently, Keith will rearrange for a vacant Sunday in either late February or March.

From 10.30am meet for coffee 🍵 in “The Galaxy” cafe at
78, Carshalton High Street (which is opposite the Cryer Arts Centre) where you can get various buses from East Croydon, West Croydon + Purley.
Then a three mile leisurely circular walk via Carshalton Ponds, the River Wandle, Wilderness Island + ending up about 3pm at a pub in Carshalton.
If you have any queries, please let me know.

Keith Southam
keithsoutham@yahoo.co.uk
mobile/text = 07749 515486
(which is always switched on)

"My Travels" with Nicholas
2024-12-10 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Dear All,
Is your passport handy? Are you ready to take your traveller’s seat? The invitation is from Nicholas Fox, who will be our “pilot”. We shall journey with him along the route he negotiated in 1974!

Do come early to the hall, grab your coffee or tea and be prepared for lift off by 8.30pm.
Nicholas’s itinerary:

Nepal to Malaysia Singapore,
Perth Australia, New Zealand,
Tahiti, Peru and Mexico . . .
across the Atlantic back to England.
Questions about the trip.

Many others of us will have been to these places before or since Nicholas’s trip so comparisons might prove interesting to note.

Regards,

Ireen Best (07968 035522)

Walk in Edenbridge area ending with Mulled Wine/Minced Tarts
2024-12-15 09:15 - 18:00
Hello Copsers
I will be leading a walk of about 7 – 8 miles from either Hever or Cowden, ending up at Hever Towers in Edenbridge for Mulled wine and mince pies. From Croydon, you will need to catch the 09.23 train to Uckfield, alighting at either Hever or Cowden – I will finalise the route depending on the likely mud levels (it will be muddy).
As we are supposed to be an Outdoor Pursuits Group, please don’t turn up just for free food and booze – you have to earn it by doing the walk!
Please check your e-mails next week for final details, also can you let Linda know if you are likely to attend.
Tim

Christmas Party!
2024-12-17 20:00 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom

Yule Day!
2024-12-21 10:30 - 17:00 | Ramblers Rest, Outwood Lane, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 3NP, United Kingdom
Update 16th December
Seven and Me (not a DNA site for close cousins!) are booked for the Ramblers Rest meal at 3pm on this day.
The idea is to have a walk before, making a relaxed circular ramble around the Banstead Woods area to which anyone can come along on, regardless of eating later (or hoping to get a late booking on, which I can’t guarantee either way, particularly it being a Saturday, but being mid afternoon may help your chances).
You can also do the meal without the walk beforehand, of course (one of you doing this at least).
Feel free to bring drink and nibbles to keep you going, but don’t eat too much in case you spoil your appetite!
The logistics of footwear and trouser wear have also occurred to me: it’s liable to be muddy so it may be a good idea to bring along a change of footwear (unless you think you can get by in socks – some places are ‘funny’ about this). You may also want to think about muddy trousers, and whether to bring along a change of them, or wear an extra layer of them for the walk. Anyway, I expect you all have your little tricks for dealing with this, like I do, so I’ll leave it to you.
As for time I am thinking the 10.58am train from East Croydon would be good, which stops at all stations via Purley and arrives at Chipstead at 11.25am. This allows for delays and taking it leisurely. If we get to the RR early we can always have a drink (with any non-eaters). BUT if you think we should go earlier or later, then I am open to discussion on this and am intending being at the Party tomorrow night.
BUT unless you hear otherwise we’ll keep to this time, but any change will be made clear in a Final Call email. I SHALL BE COMING FROM TATTENHAM CORNER, so will not meet up at East Croydon Station. ALSO my train gets into Chisptead THREE MINS AFTER yours so please bear with.
After the meal we have a little walk back to Chipstead Stn along a road (not a footpath)
Paul.
🍷
I was thinking of opting for the Vegetarian Wellington (!) but may go after all for the Turkey – I’ll make my mind up on the day! They don’t do a nut roast, and many pubs are not doing this this year. But no-one makes a Nut Roast like I do!! Allegedly.

Original Posting 1st December
Hi All in the COPSE ‘Parish’,
As you may or may not know December 21st is the ‘shortest day’, usually the day of the Winter Solstice (as it is this year), and known by some as Yule Day!
This year it happens to fall on a SATURDAY, so I thought it might be good to open up a ‘meal opportunity’ as most wouldn’t perhaps ordinarily be able to make a week day.
So a few of you might like to come along to a Festive Meal and I thought a good place would be The Ramblers Rest at Chipstead. Look on their website – https://www.theramblersrest.co.uk/menus#/ – for the Festive Menu available almost every day this month (and you may need to google the word Kumquat!). I think the price seems about normal for this type of meal, but you don’t have to eat out again till Spring!

The Ramblers Rest is a short walk from Chipstead station. W3W: https://w3w.co/remark.scary.these.
I thought that about 3pm would be a good time with a walk beforehand of around 3 to 5 miles in the Banstead Woods area (or just come for the meal). At any rate Chipstead would be the rail stn to come to and go home from.
Although it is, as I write, still nearly three weeks to go I think the restaurant may get booked up as time goes on especial;y as it’s a Saturday, so best not to leave it too close to the day for booking.
…Or if anyone knows of somewhere they particularly know, not too far away, with a walking opportunity beforehand and a station or bus nearby to get back to in the dark, I am open to offers.
Too early yet for Season’s Greetings in my book! So happy early December!!

Paul.

No Club Night - it's Christmas Eve!
2024-12-24 08:00 - 17:00

Winter Amble - local walk
2024-12-29 09:30 - 17:00
Join copsers for a Winter ambulation around a bit of East Surrey on Sunday 29 December 2024. 12km / 7.5 miles. Warlingham to Oxted. Bus out. Train back.
Meet at the 403 bus stop outside Fairfield Halls at 9.40am prompt.
We catch the 403 bus to the end of its route at Sainsbury’s Warlingham. Around 3pm to 4pm I expect we will reach the Wetherspoon pub at Oxted having walked over the North Downs. Bring snacks for the way.
This is a link to the route in OS Maps all:
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/24457363/20241219-cope-winter-amble?lat=51.282854&lon=-0.044900&zoom=11.8600&style=Leisure&type=2d
Route subject to variation.
After around 2.5 hours and 10kms we call at The Bull Limpsfield, for drinks, (might allow you chips! Even a meal if seems possible but I’m not booking anything). Then a couple more kms to the Wetherspoons Oxted which is next to the station. Optional stop there. All sorts of dink and food available.
Note there will be some muddy and steep paths. Walking boots highly recommended plus sensible outdoor attire. No jeans or trainers.
On the way we hope to encounter some North Downs Elves, whom I am led to believe, dispense mulled wine and mince pies on adventurous amblers on a Yuletide walk. But bring some snacks and drink of your own as they are elusive.

Andrew
07985 936953

No Club Night, have a night off for Hogmanay!
2024-12-31 08:00 - 17:00

ShelterBox "Mystery Auction"
2025-01-07 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
7th January will be the night you can generously pass on some goodies to our “Mystery Auction”. Many of you know the basic format for this. There will be further details between now and next week.
This is just a reminder to please put aside, then wrap ready to donate, any duplicated, unloved, Christmas pressies you might have received.
Also, any “household clearance” items that you’ll appreciate getting rid of could well be welcomed by other COPSErs.
The procedure involves us bringing along to Club Night any duplicated Xmas items that we may have received – or others that we feel might be more welcomed in someone else’s home! Also, unwanted but reasonable donations of other things, e.g. an appliance you might have bought and planned to use but found you never have. Basically, not just rubbish but something you donate that another might happily gain!
Please wrap items “anonymously” without disclosing the packages’ contents and slip them to me, when you arrive. The fun of the evening is that people bid for something but don’t know what they will get! Of course, the success of the auction relies on the generous spirit, pockets, wallets and purses of everyone attending. I.O.U.s can be noted and cheques passed. Treasurer Bob will once more be collecting your funds.
If you have an item of particular value, we can set a “reserve” start price. Likewise, please speak to me before the auction begins, should you be donating something specifically suited for only one gender -although we have had a good laugh when, for example, a lacy camisole top was successfully bid for by one of our strapping gents!
* The recipient of all our early 2025 goodwill is ShelterBox, the charity very suited to COPSE in that we camp and enjoy outdoor living “for leisure and pleasure” and ShelterBox provides emergency supplies for people having to camp merely to survive. In brief:
“YOUR SUPPORT WILL HELP PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DISASTER AROUND THE WORLD”

Fuller details via: https://shelterbox.org/
Every year that we have raised our £££s for the charity, we have achieved the purchase of a complete box, currently costing £590. Since our Jan ’24 auction, we have a kitty put aside from people’s kind contributions later in the year from purchasing other COPSErs unwanted kit etc. This stands at £117.50. With a big push from our good- hearted folk next week, we may again achieve buying one more full box! Advance thanks to all who can come along.
Regards,
Ireen Best (07968 035522)

Navigation Taster
2025-01-14 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom

Architectural Walk, London
2025-01-18 09:30 - 17:00
Hello all
This will be a walk visiting less well known buildings in London.
We can ease the meeting time at East Croydon to 9.40, for the 9.49 train to Victoria, then Circle or District line to Blackfriars (no direct trains to Blackfriars).
If you want to join us at Victoria, let me know, and we will be by the toilets, leaving by 10.15. Or join us at Blackfriars station by 10.30.
The distance will be about 8 km/5 miles. You can bring a packed lunch, but there will be a choice of cafes at lunchtime.
We will return from London Bridge, about 16.00, but no problem if you want to return earlier.
We have about 25 sites to view of different types and ages, many of which may be new to you. I will only give a brief description of each one.

Happy Birthday COPSE
2025-01-21 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom

Burns Night Ceilidh, Stanley Halls
2025-01-24 19:00 - 22:00
Dear All,

A day ahead of the actual date, COPSErs can gather to enjoy marking the occasion on Friday, 24th January. Remembering how many of us were on our feet gaining “exercise with smiles on our faces” at our September dinner and barn dance, here is the chance for everyone to enjoy a lively ceilidh.

We always had a good sized group of us going to the regular ceilidhs at the Stanley Halls before lockdown. They have not been as fully-established since and, although I’ve just been to see the new Manager of the premises, I don’t think we can gain discounted ticket prices for this particular dance. However, I am told that tickets are selling very fast and we need to book quickly, if we wish a number of us to go there together. I am happy to make a group booking on behalf of any COPSE Members who give me their names and confirm that they will pay me.

I hope to make such a booking on Monday so please let me know as soon as possible, if you would like your name on the list.

UPDATE

Location Stanley Hall
Date Jan 24

Doors open: 7pm
Dancing begins: 8pm
Tickets are available on the door from £15.

Time 7.00pm till 10.30pm
Tickets £6-£15
Ages14+ (U18s accompanied by an adult)

There might be a reduced price for paying in advance but I’ll have to advise that as soon as I can – and shall be sending out confirmation of bookings

If you are planning to come, this is the chance to find some of your tartan garb in your wardrobes! “Brownie points” to any of you who can recall why this photo shows one we could all wish to wear:

(Hint: it is a scarf of mine that I brought to a Club Night “Objectivity” session a couple of times back.)
Please do come back to me a.s.a.p., if you would now like to come.

Morden Hall Park - POSTPONED
2025-01-26 10:00 - 16:30
Unfortunately we’ve had to postpone this event due to illness. It will be rescheduled.

Pre-Ski Event
2025-01-28 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
An evening of Fun & Games to send the Skiers off on their annual trip to the slopes.

Destination Holiday Show, Olympia
2025-01-30 10:00 - 17:00

Rock & Roll Evening, Redhill
2025-02-01 19:00 - 22:00
Get ready to dance the night away! Classic Rock Night – 1 February @ 19:00. Get Ready to Groove to music from the 70s, 80s and 90s! Dance the night away to the best hits from three decades of incredible music! Doors Open: 18:30; Music Starts: 19:00; Tickets: Adults: £8 Children (5-16): £5. You can pay online via A Night of Classic Rock, or I can reserve tickets for you. Ticket price includes delicious nibbles and snacks to keep you fuelled for the dance floor. Please bring your own drinks and glasses. All the proceeds go to church funds. Let’s make it a night to remember!

St Matthew’s is on Station Road, close to both the railway and bus stations. See: Find Us – St Matthew’s Redhill.

Ski Trip to Gressoney, Italy
2025-02-02 - 2025-02-09

London Loop Walk
2025-02-02 10:00 - 17:00
Hello All,
It’s time to continue the London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP) again from where we left off last time at Donkey Wood near Hatton Cross, just east of Heathrow Airport.
We will go as far as West Drayton, about 8 miles in all, taking in Cranford with the remains of its house (ha-ha and stable-block) and church (if open), Stockley Park and a stretch of the Grand Union Canal along the way (no locks on this stretch, so no need to bring your windlass handle with you!).
Please meet me by 11am at Hatton Cross station (combined bus and u/ground) in the main hall (there’s only one) for an 11.15am departure.
There are many different opinions of how to get there, so I am leaving it to you to decide how to get there! I think it’s all ‘6 or 2 threes’ in the end. I shall be going by the SL7 bus from Sutton leaving there between about 9 and 9.15am – I am going deliberately early, and if there’s time I’ll go through to Heathrow first to make use of the facilities and then tube back to Hatton Cross.
An option from Croydon is the SL7 bus:
West Croydon bus station, stop B3 at 9.22
Dingwall Road / East Croydon, stop E8 at 9.28
Returning from West Drayton will again be up to you depending on where you want to get back to. I shall be catching the Elizabeth Line to Paddington and u/ground to Victoria and so on.
And while we are talking about Transport: I was not aware until very recently (and found out quite by chance a few weeks ago!) that the one day LONDON TRAVELCARD has been reinstated, some time ago, in fact, but it wasn’t well publicised…almost as if they don’t want people to know about it. Depending on what you’re doing it’s much cheaper to get this card (especially if you are doing lots of different journeys on trains and tubes, etc) and – if you use any discount card you have – it can be as little as £10.40! So go shout it from the rooftops!! Or am I just the last person to know about it?!
I should bring some food and drink with you, but there are shops along the way and , I believe, a cafe at Stockley Park golf club open to all.
Have I forgotten anything? Date, time, place, minor rant – that should do it!

PAUL. 07968 223589

Builders Arms Quiz
2025-02-04 20:15 - 22:00 | Builder’s Arms Pub, 65 Leslie Park Road, Croydon, CR0 6TP
Dear Non-Skiers,
As many of us will not be away to the mountains for physical exercise in the snow, we plan to join up for some mental exercise at the pub quiz put on by “The Builders Arms”. I have been able to reserve tables for three Club teams of six people in each. Some COPSErs have already contacted me to go on our list but there remain vacancies so please let me know if you can join us.
Our Club has competed at this pub several times previously – but never been the winners! We shall try yet again!!
The quiz begins at 9pm but, usually, most of us gather by about 8pm to order food and share a social chat. The cost, per person, to engage in this brain strain will be £1, collected on the night.
The pub is on Leslie Park Road, off Cherry Orchard Road. Map link:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Builders+Arms,+65+Leslie+Park+Rd,+Croydon+CR0+6TP/@51.3795193,-0.0883854,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x487600d1c1496087:0x2875af15ab41667a!8m2!3d51.3794959!4d-0.0858239!16s%2Fg%2F1tgf2pmv?entry=ttu
What3Words: https://w3w.co/locker.hotels.owner
The new management since our last visit there tell me they now have a new and varied menu available:
https://buildersarmscroydon.co.uk/admin/upload_file/menus/7hbmj70v4q.pdf
Please note, there will be not be a COPSE meeting at our South Croydon hall. Do let me know, a.s.a.p., if you plan to come to the quiz so that you can secure your place on the list.
Regards,

Ireen Best (07968 035522)
