Cycle the Waterlink Way
2017-04-09 | Waterlink Way
An sustrans cycle route along the River Pool and the River Ravensbourne in South East London, the Waterlink Way takes cyclists from New Beckenham to Greenwich, touching only a few roads on the way and offering a wealth of parks and green spaces en route.
Meet at Addiscombe tram stop at 9.00 for an easy, mostly off-road bike ride. We will be stopping after an hour of cycling at La Delice café at Ladywell.Then we can go on to Greenwich, or further if we like. If we return from Greenwich, we would be back by early afternoon, having done about 20 miles.

South Africa Talk
2017-04-11 20:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Julie and Alan show us how they banished the winter blues by visiting Cape Town.

Easter in Scotland
2017-04-13 - 2017-04-20 | The Bunkhouse, Glassie Farm, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland, PH15 2JN, United Kingdom
We will stay at “The Bunkhouse”, near Aberfeldy, Perthshire on the fringe of the highlands. It is set on a low ridge with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
There is varied walking and mountain walking opportunities nearby. Non walking activities are also in the area (a whisky distillery, a 4×4 experience, a red deer farm, a recreated Iron Age village on the shores of the stunning Loch Tay).
On Monday, 17th April, we will travel down to the Glencoe SYHA where we will stay until Thurs, 20th. Set in one of Scotland’s most spectacular and historic glens, this alpine-style hostel provides an excellent base for walkers of all abilities.

Bluebell Circular Walk
2017-04-23
A circular walk from Cowden, via Hever.

Talk about "The Great Storm of 1987"
2017-05-09 20:30 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
We are pleased to welcome author and journalist Bob Ogley as our guest speaker this coming Tuesday evening. He will be talking about “The Great Storm of 1987”.
The talk will commence promptly at 8.30pm so please arrive on time in order to avoid any distractions. Teas and coffees will be available between 8.15pm and 8.30pm, but the kitchen will be closed once the talk has started.
More information about Bob Ogley….
Bob Ogley was born in Sevenoaks, has lived in the county all his life and is proud to be a Kentish man. As author of more than 20 books he has travelled extensively in pursuit of information and photographs and is in great demand from organisations across the south-east to tell his unique story.
A former editor of The Sevenoaks Chronicle, Bob was a journalist for more than 30 years before he left his newspaper to concentrate on writing books and giving his talks. He is also a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio Kent.
The subjects covered by Bob in his talks are: War in Kent (and Surrey), the History of RAF Biggin Hill, Doodlebugs and Rockets, The Weather Wherever, Invicta — The Spirit of Kent, My life as a local newspaper reporter and, of course, The Great Storm and how it changed his life. He also has a new talk about Kent in the 19th Century which follows the launch of this most successful and popular book. Bob likes to tell humorous stories and he has an amazing collection of anecdotes which he delivers with great enthusiasm.

Early Morning Cycle Ride
2017-05-14
An early morning cycle ride around London.

North East England by Coach
2017-05-26 - 2017-05-29
A “whistle stop” tour of the North East of England, Tyne and Wear and Tees.
Catch the 11:59pm Megabus coach from London Victoria to Sunderland, arriving at 7am. The double decker coaches have a WC, air con, power point incl. USB, reclining seats and, with a bit of self-preparation, you can have a comfortable journey and sleep.
Walk 9 miles to Copt Hill through scenic riverside and countryside and then travel to Newcastle via the coast.
Spend two nights in Newcastle, then take a train to Durham, a quick look in Durham Cathedral,take a coach from Durham to Middlesbrough. A very quick tour of Middlesbrough then a coach back to London Victoria via Leeds and M1, arriving about 11pm.
As we’d be carrying our all of our stuff for a lot of the time, travelling light is very sensible, but this would include a food and water to last up to mid-day on Saturday. All the paths on the walk have good surfaces and there is a choice of nice pubs for a lunch stop.

Cycle Ride from Sanderstead
2017-06-11
A rural cycle adventure riding south from Sanderstead, South Croydon “as far as you like”.
Following close to the East Grinstead line, and later, with enough puff, the Uckfield Line, as far as your legs will carry you, then home on the train to Croydon.
This route also allows you to oversleep and leave later, catching us up on the train, Jason Bourne spy film style.
Some waypoints and landmarks en route:
Riddlesdown – where the train goes into a tunnel and we ride over the downs with great views.
Warlingham and Chelsham – then along the bike lane on side of the Limpsfield Road
Botley Hill – super Surrey Hills views – almost as high as Leith Hill
Clackett Lane, with a lovely view of the M25 Motorway Services
Limpsfield Chart, planned rest break on the green. Then idyllic paved bridleway and quiet lanes along Oast House Kent/Surrey borders
Lingfield by the Race Track
Dormansland
Cowden
Hartfield, suitable pub stop, to get ready to conquer Ashdown Forest
Maresfield. and we are nearly there
Uckfield
(I think that is enough, but you could ride on to Seaford for the full 60 miles)
Meet at Sanderstead Station at 0930, on the ticket office side. I am offering pre-ride bike maintenance services, to check tyres/brakes/gears/ and adjust as needed.
Bring plenty of drinks and some picnic eats. If the forecast is to be believed, also bring sun cream.

Croydon Heritage Festival Walk
2017-06-25 14:30 - 17:30 | Croydon Clocktower, 9 Katharine St, Croydon, CR9 1, United Kingdom
Town and Country – An Afternoon Adventure. Join “COPSE” for a leisurely 2 -3 hour afternoon stroll to see how local places have been shaped by and have influenced Croydon’s evolution”

Visitors Open Evening
2017-06-27 20:00 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
detailed info

Weekend in Beer
2017-06-29 - 2017-07-03 | Beer YHA, Bovey Combe, Beer, Seaton, EX12 3LL, United Kingdom
Camping and hostel weekend at Beer in South Devon. Choose your preferred type of accommodation, under canvas, or in hostel beds.

Tudor Way Walk - Part 3
2017-07-22
Join us on a walk from Hartfield to Chelwood Gate with a bit of history thrown in. Approximately 11 miles, we will be visiting the Ashdown Forest, Pooh Bridge, Hatch Inn, Kings Standing, and The Pale.
Ashdown Forest escaped the turmoil of the Tudor Iron industry, and today, is the biggest public space in southeast England.
Ashdown doesn’t seem like much of a forest, at least not in the densely-wooded sense. However, it was the Normans who introduced the concept to our country and the forest law could apply almost anywhere, and Ashdown was marked out as a hunting forest, the same as the New Forest.
The mix of heath grass and woodland is the perfect hunting ground, and if there’s one thing we know about Henry VIII, it’s that he loved hunting. The forest not only provided good sport but brought him close to the Boleyn daughter’s home. It’s rumoured that Kings Standing was the location of one of Henry’s hunting lodges. Although, given its nae, it was more likely the location of a sort of Tudor grandstand, where spectators could sit in shelter and watch the hunt.
Meet at East Croydon 8:20 for the 8:41 train to East Grinstead. Bring sandwiches and drinks although there is a possibility of stopping at Hatch End Pub, which is a lovely old pub. We can also get an ice cream at Kings Standing.

Open Air Theatre visit
2017-07-23 19:30
“If a sparrow should fall” , the Gatton Community Theatre’s latest open air promenade production at Gatton Park, Reigate.

Ice Cream & Evening Walk
2017-07-25 20:00 - 22:00 | Kaspa’s, 177-179 NORTH END, Croydon, CR0 1TP, United Kingdom
We will walk to Wandle Park and Duppas Hill, two of the green spaces in Croydon. Meet at Kaspa (ice cream and dessert place opposite West Croydon Train Station). Meet at 19:45 if you fancy an ice cream (to take way) else join us at 20:00.
We will finish at The Royal Standard Pub by the Croydon flyover.

Sussex Music Festival and Camping
2017-07-28 - 2017-07-30 | Lewes Live Festival
We head down for the weekend to the outskirts of Lewes for the “Lewes Live 2017” music festival. This small festival features 5 live bands on Friday evening, 14 more on Saturday, food stalls, Harveys Real Ale, and camping next to your car (if you have one). Weekend tickets are £45 with camping included. The festival opens at 4pm Friday with bands from 7pm.
In our experience these small festivals bring a different, closer experience with a more relaxed vibe. Even if the bands are not well known, you can get up and personal with a range of live music – rock, ska, singer-song writers. Think of it as camping with the added bonus of some live music and a bar.
We will either travel by cars or by train to Lewes and a taxi or bus. On Sunday, we could have a chill on Seaford beach.

"Steam Trains around the world" Talk
2017-08-01 08:15 - 22:15 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Sue introduces a talk by steam train enthusiast James Waite.

"The Slaves of the Sultan" Theatre Visit
2017-08-03 19:45 - 22:30 | Coulsdon Manor Hotel, Coulsdon Ct Rd, Old Coulsdon, CR5 2LL, United Kingdom
“A hilarious spoof of the ultimate boy’s own adventure” put on by the Theatre Workshop Coulsdon. Tickets cost £10 and hot BBQ food and a bar are available. Bring a blanket, mat or folding chair to sit on.
Coulsdon Manor Hotel is on the 466 bus route from Croydon and is around 20 minutes from Croydon town centre.
More info about the production.

Sidmouth Folk Festival
2017-08-04 - 2017-08-11
A week filled with folk music, singing, dancing, pub sessions, concerts, and cream teas, focused on the seafront and in the town centre of Sidmouth in Devon. Visit for a day or two, or all week. Plan your own trip here.
Regular visitor to Sidmouth, Ireen can tell you more.

Captions & Coffee
2017-08-08 20:15 - 22:15 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
To loosen your mind for interesting captions, we will be supplying coffee of the Irish nature (or any other liqueur goodies, we may have in the COPSE cupboard).

Surrey Hostels Weekend
2017-08-11 - 2017-08-13 | Tanners Hatch YHA, Ranmore Common Rd, Dorking, RH5 6BE, United Kingdom
Fancy a leisurely walk in the Surrey hills walking between 2 hostels, then please read on.
Friday, 11 August: Evening or late afternoon train to Box hill and West Humble. Short walk to Tanners Hatch. Overnight at Tanners Hatch
Sat, 12 August: Walk, via an indirect route, to Holmbury St Mary YHA. Overnight at Holmbury St Mary.
Sun, 13 August: Walk to a railway station and back to Croydon in the late afternoon.
We will be carrying everything we need individually and have pub, cafe or hostel meals where available.

The Tudor Way part 4
2017-08-19
We will be walking from Nutley to East Hoathly, approx 12 miles, via Fairwarp, Buxted Park and Blackboys.
There is no history this section, but we will be stopping at the 14th century Blackboys Inn, around 14:30 for lunch. Light lunch bites cost around £8. We will have walked about 8.5 miles at this point.
The last section is about 4 miles and we should arrive at East Hoathly around 17:30.
Please meet up at East Croydon at 0900 to get the 0923 train to Uckfield, arriving 1021.
It is then the 262 bus to Nutley arriving 1045.
Return bus to Uckfield, 54 from East Hoathly.

Biggin Hill "100" Festival of Flight
2017-08-20
Celebrate the centenary of the Biggin Hill airport at this year’s Festival of Flight airshow.

Litton Cheney Weekend Away
2017-10-14 08:00 - 17:00 | Litton Cheney Hostel, Cox Lane, Litton Cheney, DT2 9AT, United Kingdom
A repeat visit to this popular Dorset village hostel, cosy and comfortable, and great value at 12 to 16 pounds a night depending on numbers. Come and enjoy a weekend away.

India Evening
2017-10-17 20:15 - 22:15 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
A varied evening with an India theme.

Surrey Hills Cycling Weekend
2017-10-21 - 2017-10-22 | Holmbury St Mary, Holmbury St Mary, Surrey, United Kingdom
Cycle the Surrey trails on Saturday with Barry, optionally staying overnight at Holmbury hostel. On Sunday, go mountain biking around Holmbury with Paul D. Hiring a bike is an option.
Meet West Croydon Saturday 0920 for 0936 departure to Dorking, return from Dorking late afternoon. Dorking station is around 40 minutes cycle ride from Holmbury.
If staying overnight, you will need to book your own accommodation either in the hostel or camping.

Chutney Making Evening
2017-10-24 20:15 - 22:15 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
You will be the makers and tasters of a variety of chutneys!

Easy Cycling in Croydon Area
2017-10-28
Richard invites new cyclists, especially beginners or anyone less confident, to try an easy cycle ride in our area.
Get your bike out and have a fun ride which will also have a fun COPSE related theme.

Barn Dance - Godalming
2017-10-28 19:30 - 23:00 | Godalming Borough Hall, The Burys, Godalming, GU7 1HR, United Kingdom
Ireen’s regulars and all other welcome to this new season of barn dances.

Annual General Meeting
2017-10-31 20:15 - 22:15 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Come and hear how the Club has fared over the past year and vote in or stand for the new committee.

Map Reading Country Walk
2017-11-04
A country walk focusing on map reading skills. Anyone who would like to brush up or learn some map reading skill will have a chance to do so.
