Croydon Outdoor Pursuits & Social Events Club

Ken's Kroydon Kwiz 2
2024-08-13 20:15 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Way back in lockdown (shudder!) we Zoomed the Close To Home Quiz, complete with roundabouts, saving you all from going completely stir-crazy.
Back in the Hall, we teased out even more of your local knowledge with Ken’s Kroydon Kwiz.
Well now it’s back – this time with even more multimedia multichannel marvellosity, reincarnated as Ken’s Kroydon Kwiz 2.

Sorry, she won’t be in it this time

On the plus side, neither will he

And definitely no 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. Guaranteed no roundabouts!

Circular Walk from Blackheath (visiting Greenwich Park)
2024-08-17 08:00 - 17:00
An interesting day awaits anyone who cares to meet outside the The Bookshop on the Heath, (a book shop next to Oxfam on Tranquil Vale/ Royal Parade on the edge of Blackheath this Saturday morning at 10am, (it is situated a short walk up from Blackheath railway station on the edge of the heath on a parade of shops looking out on the edge of the heath near the church).
You might choose to go via London Bridge, if you arrive at London Bridge by 9am you could then catch the 9.11 train from there to Blackheath, then walk 5 minutes up to the bookshop. Other routes are available.
We’ll walk across the heath and into The Royal Greenwich Park which contains deer and items of interest, fine views and an optional visit inside the Royal Observatory and later return to the railway station after cup of tea time! The distance will be no more than 4 miles, returning to Blackheath.

The Great North Wood: talk by CJ Schüler
2024-08-20 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
C. J. Schüler is a freelance writer, journalist and cultural historian specialising in travel, the arts, the environment, and European fiction in translation.
In this talk he will expand on a subject close to his heart and ours in COPSE: the history of the Great North Wood that once covered large areas of South London and still survives in patches as a series of open spaces, targets for a number of Club walks.
From the Amazon page for his book:

Standing in the busy streets of South London today, it is hard to imagine that much of this suburban townscape was once a vast wood, stretching unbroken for almost seven miles from Croydon to the Thames at Deptford.
In The Wood That Built London, C.J. Schüler takes us on a journey through time, telling tales of invaders and trade guilds, map makers and soldiers, royals and working class people. From the 8th century to current conservation efforts, Schüler offers a fresh perspective on London’s history, with tales of murder, Anglo-Saxon treasure, fires, pandemics, the blitz and more along the way.
This compelling narrative history charts the fortunes of the North Wood from the earliest times: its ecology, ownership, management, and its gradual encroachment by the expanding metropolis.
More information can be found on his website at https://cjschuler.com/. The following is extracted from his ‘About’ page:
His latest book, My Dear Mr Rose: Letters to the Honorary Secretary of the Authors’ Club, 1908–34, appeared in a numbered limited edition by the Authors’ Club on 11 May 2023.
The Wood That Built London, a history of the woodland that once covered much of South London, was published by Sandstone Press on 7 October 2021. His travelogue Along the Amber Route: St Petersburg to Venice (also from Sandstone), hailed as ‘timely and powerful’ by the Financial Times on its publication in February 2020, was shortlisted for Stanford Dolman Award and longlisted for the Jewish Quarterly-Wingate Prize.
He is also the author of Writers, Lovers, Soldiers, Spies: A History of the Authors’ Club of London, 1891–2016 (Author’s Club, 2016), published in 2016 to wide acclaim, and three illustrated histories of cartography: Mapping the World (Éditions Place des Victoires/Frechmann, 2010), Mapping the City and Mapping the Sea and Stars (2012).
C. J. Schüler has written for The Independent, The Independent on Sunday, The Tablet, the Financial Times and the New Statesman. A former staff member with with the Rough Guides and The Independent, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 2011, and was chairman of the Authors’ Club from 2008 to 2015.
An experienced public speaker, he has addressed literary festivals, bookshop events, learned societies and community groups, and is available for speaking engagements.

Repeat North leg of 'NOW 90!' Croydon Green Spaces Challenge Walk
2024-08-21 09:30 - 18:00
This is an opportunity to walk all or part of the “north leg” of the three walks making up the “Now 90!” Croydon Green Spaces Challenge Walk . (A repeat of the same walk first done on 14 July.) It’s getting on for 16 miles (let’s just say 14 “Barry miles”!) and takes in 31 green spaces. There is a mid-point lunch break at Norbury (details below) so it’s possible to walk just the morning or just afternoon section.
Note the walk visits several remnants of the Great North Wood, the subject of Tuesday’s guest speaker talk at our Club Night.
Morning meet point: 9.15am East Croydon tramstop (or Arena tramstop 9.30am where we start walking)
Lunch meeting point: 1.30pm Woodlands Café, 1451 London Road, Norbury, SW16 4AQ (starting to walk as soon after 2.00pm as we can).
Ending: Whitehorse Lane from where buses run to Croydon Town Centre.
As the walk criss-crosses various bus routes, it’s possible to join or leave more or less anywhere. You can call me on the number below.
0798 593 6953
Bring drink and snacks with you and appropriate walking gear / sun protection etc. The route takes in parks, playing fields, woodland, pavements, some small hills, some great views and lots of variety.

So What’s this Challenge?
Over four three walks we will visit 90 green spaces. Visit between 30 and 90 spaces and you will receive an award – bronze, silver, or gold for the full 90! And you will have your achievements recognised at the “NOW 90!” Birthday event on Saturday 14 September.

What, Croydon has 90 green spaces?
Yep, in fact 120 according to this map.
Click it for full revelation!

What sort of walks?
Each complete walk will be around 15 miles. As they are local and near public transport, it will be possible to join for part of the walk either at predetermined points or by arrangement. Clock up as many green spaces as you can while enjoying Croydon’s outstanding open spaces and landscape.
Routes will include streets, parks, footpaths and lanes. Good walking shoes should be adequate. To be eligible to receive an award there will be a small administration fee of £1.
When are they?
Currently the four five six walks’ dates are:

Sunday 14 July: North
Sunday 11 August: Upper Centre
Wednesday 21 August: repeat of North)
Monday 26 August (bank holiday): Lower Centre
Sunday 1 September: repeat of Upper Centre
Thursday 5 September: repeat of Lower Centre

So how do I start?
Just turn up to any of the walks!

Any questions / more information please contact me.
Andrew Thynne
07985 936953

North London to Camden Town Walk (8 miles)
2024-08-24 09:30 - 17:00
Meet from 9.30am at East Croydon Station
=> 9.45am (approx) train to London Bridge
=> Northern Line tube to East Finchley
=> loo/coffee stop
=> from 11am, an eight mile “interest” urban walk (which might include some bus travelling) visiting those three London Boroughs where I’ve previously lived (Barnet, Haringey + Camden) before “moving down south” over thirty years ago !!
We will be seeing “the North London delights” of Muswell Hill, Crouch End, Archway, Tufnell Park + Kentish Town, to arrive in Camden Town about 5pm where will find a “nice” pub (not the Wetherspoons alongside the Regents Canal which is always crowded + isn’t cheap !!)
Although there will be a couple of short pub stops along the way, I would recommend you bring a packed lunch just in case.
If you have any queries, or maybe want to join us later during the day at any of the Northern Line tube stations that we pass, please let me know.

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

"Now 90!" Croydon Green Spaces Challenge Walk: Lower Centre
2024-08-26 09:00 - 18:00
This walk will form part of COPSE’s 90th anniversary Challenge, overall visiting, appropriately enough, a total of 90 of Croydon’s green spaces. On this occasion we’ll focus on those in the Lower Central parts of the Borough.
Full details of the Challenge are at the bottom of this page.
You don’t have to take on the Challenge though, you can just come along and enjoy the walk.
Take your pick of the joining options below: you can opt for the whole day or any part of the walk.
The Full Day
The full route is 15 miles but there are options to join for part of the walk at mid-morning, early lunch and late lunch, and of course many opportunities near public transport to leave before the end. The route takes in unusual woods and parks in undulating countryside on the fringes and midsection of Croydon – from Addington to Purley via Selsdon.
An indicative sketch map is below but note there are two further green spaces not shown which will take the total in this walk to 30.

The Morning Section
MEET 9am EAST CROYDON tramstop (15 miles to end):
We start walking from a bus stop in New Addington/Field Way. But we meet at East Croydon tramstop at 9am to catch the tram to Addington Village. If the bus timings appear suitable we will transfer at the Addington Village interchange to a bus. (But if my travel app advises a long wait, we may continue by tram to Field Way tramstop and walk from there.) You could intercept us at Addington Village or tramstops on the way – just contact me to check our whereabouts. Expect to start walking at 9.30am.
Mid-Morning Joining Option
(11.4 miles to end):
After circling New Addington we make a jaunt by tram from Kings Henry’s Drive tramstop to Coombe Lane tramstop and continue walking from there. YOU COULD JOIN THE WALK AT COOMBE LANE tramstop – approx. time there 11.15 – please phone me to check. You can thereby cut out 3.75 miles but miss some great scenery (yes there is some!) at New Addington.
Another Intermediate Point Early Lunchtime
(9.5 miles to end):
We reach Selsdon and the SIR JULIAN HUXLEY WETHERSPOON pub at approx. 12.00 to 12.30 and depart there approx. 13.00. Other cafes nearby are available. Call me to check our timings.
Late Lunch Joining Option
(6 miles to end):
We reach Sanderstead pond and the adjoining parade of shops (Limpsfield Road) approx. 14.45 to 15.15. Phone me to check timings. There is a “Filtr” café of which we may well avail ourselves.

Ending
We END at Purley Rotary Field (Brighton Road, town centre, Purley). We may well fall into the Jolly Farmers pub at Purley Cross to revive ourselves. Approx 6.30pm I estimate. From Purley there are of course buses and trains to the rest of the world.

Bring
Suitable attire / footwear and sun protection, food / snacks / drink etc. We should be able to buy refreshments at the Wetherspoon pub at Selsdon (early lunch, “Sir Julian Huxley”) and at a café on Sanderstead (Limpsfield Road) parade. But bring sustenance to keep you going just in case. And bring a suitable pass for tram and bus travel.

So What’s this Challenge?
Over four three walks we will visit 90 green spaces. Visit between 30 and 90 spaces and you will receive an award – bronze, silver, or gold for the full 90! And you will have your achievements recognised at the “NOW 90!” Birthday event on Saturday 14 September.

What, Croydon has 90 green spaces?
Yep, in fact 120 according to this map.
Click it for full revelation!

What sort of walks?
Each complete walk will be around 15 miles. As they are local and near public transport, it will be possible to join for part of the walk either at predetermined points or by arrangement. Clock up as many green spaces as you can while enjoying Croydon’s outstanding open spaces and landscape.
Routes will include streets, parks, footpaths and lanes. Good walking shoes should be adequate. To be eligible to receive an award there will be a small administration fee of £1.
When are they?
Currently the four five six walks’ dates are:

Sunday 14 July: North
Sunday 11 August: Upper Centre
Wednesday 21 August: repeat of North
Monday 26 August (bank holiday): Lower Centre
Sunday 1 September: repeat of Upper Centre
Thursday 5 September: repeat of Lower Centre

So how do I start?
Just turn up to any of the walks!

Any questions / more information please contact me.
Andrew Thynne
07985 936953

Electile Dysfunction
2024-08-27 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Just when you thought it was all over . . . .
Yes, there will be some back-focus on aspects of the recent past that we have probably felt we’ve moved on from. However, this Tuesday evening will involve a light-hearted, quick-fire quiz, looking at some quirky and interesting facts concerning our recent General Election (😱), plus various “political” connections that many of us will think we might know / ought to know / could be amused by! History and the present entwined.
Please come along for an 8.30pm start. (Coffees and teas will be available until just before that time.) Test yourselves with this quiz of “essential” information, concerning our government and democracy! You might be able to impress your fellow COPSErs with how much you already know – although we can all expect to learn some unexpected things, during the course of the evening!
N.B. In our programme listings, the title for this Club Night is the work of Mr. Brogan. 😆
Regards,
Ireen Best (07968 035522)

Planning Meeting
2024-08-29 20:00 - 22:00
We’ll be planning a quarter-full of activities, both Outdoor Events and Club Nights, on Thursday. This is how we create our Programme and your chance to influence what we do.
Everybody’s welcome at the meeting and all your proposals are rapturously received – we rarely turn one down!
If you can’t make the meeting please contact me or another Committee member with your bright ideas – email is best.

Where?

An upstairs room in the Spread Eagle pub, Katharine Street

When?

Thursday 29th August
6.30pm for food & drink (optional!)
8pm for Business

Ken

Repeat Upper Centre leg of "Now 90!" Croydon Green Spaces Challenge Walk
2024-09-01 09:00 - 18:00
This is another opportunity to walk the Upper Centre leg of the Green Spaces Challenge Walk.
This walk will form part of COPSE’s 90th anniversary Challenge, overall visiting, appropriately enough, a total of 90 of Croydon’s green spaces. On this occasion we’ll focus on those in the Upper Central parts of the Borough.
Full details of the Challenge are at the bottom of this page.
You don’t have to take on the Challenge though, you can just come along and enjoy the walk.
Take your pick of the two options: a full day or a half day.
The Full Day
Sun 11 August – “upper centre” – approx. 15 miles across the upper belly/mid-section of Croydon from Addiscombe to Addington, Shirley, Lloyd Park, the town centre and as far west as Waddon Ponds. See indicative route map below. Note there is a mid-point / lunch stop where it is convenient to leave / join the walk. And the afternoon section passes many public transport options if you wish to leave before the end.
Bring plenty of food and drink with you. There will be limited opportunities to top up but at the mid-point is a Harvester pub – that’s Addington Village. Where we can pop in for a drink. Possibly a bite to eat if there’s time – but don’t bank on it! Towards the end of the walk we pass through the town centre and therefore shops for refreshments top up. Andy Thompson (“Mapman”) will be leading the walk (I hope to join at the mid-point.)

The Morning Section
From Addiscombe Tram Stop to Harvesters Cricketers, Addington Village
Start / meet at Addiscombe tram stop at 9am. That’s on the Elmers End / Beckenham Jct branch of the tram. Note the early start.

The Afternoon Section
From Harvesters Cricketers, Addington Village to Duppas Hill.
We will be at the Harvesters Cricketers from approximately 1pm and plan to set off an hour later. This midpoint/lunch point is close to Addington Village (interchange) tramstop.
Ending
Afternoon cessation: the afternoon route (and morning to a large extent) passes a number of bus routes and a tram stops so you can leave the walk conveniently before its end. But please ensure you inform Andy, the walk leader.

So What’s this Challenge?
Over four three walks we will visit 90 green spaces. Visit between 30 and 90 spaces and you will receive an award – bronze, silver, or gold for the full 90! And you will have your achievements recognised at the “NOW 90!” Birthday event on Saturday 14 September.

What, Croydon has 90 green spaces?
Yep, in fact 120 according to this map.
Click it for full revelation!

What sort of walks?
Each complete walk will be around 15 miles. As they are local and near public transport, it will be possible to join for part of the walk either at predetermined points or by arrangement. Clock up as many green spaces as you can while enjoying Croydon’s outstanding open spaces and landscape.
Routes will include streets, parks, footpaths and lanes. Good walking shoes should be adequate. To be eligible to receive an award there will be a small administration fee of £1.
When are they?
Currently the four five six walks’ dates are:

Sunday 14 July: North
Sunday 11 August: Upper Centre
Wednesday 21 August: repeat of North
Monday 26 August (bank holiday): Lower Centre
Sunday 1 September: repeat of Upper Centre
Thursday 5 September: repeat of Lower Centre

So how do I start?
Just turn up to any of the walks!

Any questions / more information please contact me.
Andrew Thynne
07985 936953

Berlin Retrospective
2024-09-03 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Back in June, 14 of COPSE’s more adventurous souls set off by train and plane for a week or so of fun and frolics in Germany’s capital.
History, culture and entertainment were consumed, as were the inevitable currywurst and industrial quantities of pork knuckles with sauerkraut.
Tonight we regale you with our travellers’ tales in picture, story and probably not song. Come along to hear what we all made of the city, the people, the bike rides, the Wall, the beach experience, the food and whatever else we found in this fascinating place.
Unmissable, I’d say!

Repeat Lower Centre leg of "Now 90!" Croydon Green Spaces Challenge Walk
2024-09-05 09:00 - 18:00
Another opportunity to complete the Lower Centre leg of the Challenge.
Please note we’ve adjusted some timings after the first instance of this walk – shown in a nice shade of bold pink below.
This walk will form part of COPSE’s 90th anniversary Challenge, overall visiting, appropriately enough, a total of 90 of Croydon’s green spaces. On this occasion we’ll focus on those in the Lower Central parts of the Borough.
Full details of the Challenge are at the bottom of this page.
You don’t have to take on the Challenge though, you can just come along and enjoy the walk.
Take your pick of the joining options below: you can opt for the whole day or any part of the walk.
The Full Day
The full route is 15 miles but there are options to join for part of the walk at mid-morning, early lunch and late lunch, and of course many opportunities near public transport to leave before the end. The route takes in unusual woods and parks in undulating countryside on the fringes and midsection of Croydon – from Addington to Purley via Selsdon.
An indicative sketch map is below but note there are two further green spaces not shown which will take the total in this walk to 30.

The Morning Section
MEET 9am EAST CROYDON tramstop (15 miles to end):
We start walking from a bus stop in New Addington/Field Way. But we meet at East Croydon tramstop at 9am to catch the tram to Addington Village. If the bus timings appear suitable we will transfer at the Addington Village interchange to a bus. (But if my travel app advises a long wait, we may continue by tram to Field Way tramstop and walk from there.) You could intercept us at Addington Village or tramstops on the way – just contact me to check our whereabouts. Expect to start walking at 9.30am.
Mid-Morning Joining Option
(11.4 miles to end):
After circling New Addington we make a jaunt by tram from Kings Henry’s Drive tramstop to Coombe Lane tramstop and continue walking from there. YOU COULD JOIN THE WALK AT COOMBE LANE tramstop – approx. time there 11.45 – please phone me to check. You can thereby cut out 3.75 miles but miss some great scenery (yes there is some!) at New Addington.
Another Intermediate Point Early Lunchtime
(9.5 miles to end):
We reach Selsdon and the SIR JULIAN HUXLEY WETHERSPOON pub at approx. 13.00 and depart there approx. 13.30. Other cafes nearby are available. Call me to check our timings.
Late Lunch Joining Option
(6 miles to end):
We reach Sanderstead pond and the adjoining parade of shops (Limpsfield Road) approx. 15.30. Phone me to check timings. There is a “Filtr” café of which we may well avail ourselves.

Ending
We END at Purley Rotary Field (Brighton Road, town centre, Purley). We may well fall into the Jolly Farmers pub at Purley Cross to revive ourselves. Approx 6.30pm I estimate. From Purley there are of course buses and trains to the rest of the world.

Bring
Suitable attire / footwear and sun protection, food / snacks / drink etc. We should be able to buy refreshments at the Wetherspoon pub at Selsdon (early lunch, “Sir Julian Huxley”) and at a café on Sanderstead (Limpsfield Road) parade. But bring sustenance to keep you going just in case. And bring a suitable pass for tram and bus travel.

So What’s this Challenge?
Over four three walks we will visit 90 green spaces. Visit between 30 and 90 spaces and you will receive an award – bronze, silver, or gold for the full 90! And you will have your achievements recognised at the “NOW 90!” Birthday event on Saturday 14 September.

What, Croydon has 90 green spaces?
Yep, in fact 120 according to this map.
Click it for full revelation!

What sort of walks?
Each complete walk will be around 15 miles. As they are local and near public transport, it will be possible to join for part of the walk either at predetermined points or by arrangement. Clock up as many green spaces as you can while enjoying Croydon’s outstanding open spaces and landscape.
Routes will include streets, parks, footpaths and lanes. Good walking shoes should be adequate. To be eligible to receive an award there will be a small administration fee of £1.
When are they?
Currently the four five six walks’ dates are:

Sunday 14 July: North
Sunday 11 August: Upper Centre
Wednesday 21 August: repeat of North
Monday 26 August (bank holiday): Lower Centre
Sunday 1 September: repeat of Upper Centre
Thursday 5 September: repeat of Lower Centre

So how do I start?
Just turn up to any of the walks!

Any questions / more information please contact me.
Andrew Thynne
07985 936953

Cycle Ride to Olympic Park, Stratford
2024-09-08 09:00 - 17:00
Here are details of the Sunday 8th September cycle ride.

It will be an approximately 35 mile ride to the Olympic park in Stratford.

Meet at 10am outside Boxpark adjacent to E.Croydon station.

Route:
Cycle route 21 from Addiscombe to Greenwich, mainly off-road cycle paths.

Greenwich foot tunnel to Island Gardens.

Cycle route 1 via Docklands, Limehouse, Mile End Park and Victoria Park. Mostly off road cycle paths, parks and canal towpaths.

Refreshment stop at the cafe by the lake in Victoria Park.

A short ride to the Olympic park where we can spend time cycling around the numerous cycle paths, see the London Stadium, ArcelorMittal Orbit, Velopark and other interesting architecture. Various cafes here also.

Return to Island Gardens on canal towpaths via the River Lee Navigation and Limehouse Cut. Then route 21 back to Croydon.

Optional stop at Greenwich for refreshments.

An easy, flat and mostly off road route.
Duration about 6 hours. This will be a leisurely ride and all levels of cyclists are welcome.

E-bikes welcome.

Please be aware that on occasion one or both of the lifts at the Greenwich foot tunnel might be out of service requiring bikes to be carried up the spiral stairs. Keep this in mind if you have a particularly heavy bike. However, should the foot tunnel lift(s) be broken, there is an alternative as the Docklands light railway allows full size bikes should anyone wish to use the DLR to cross the Thames.

There are various DLR stations near the route should you wish to drop out part way (DLR back to the Elverson Rd stop and adjacent to cycle route 21).

Please let me know if you will be joining me so that I can collate numbers.

Peter: 07403808007

Talk by Clare Walker: Tasmania
2024-09-10 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
We’ve all enjoyed Clare’s previous talks to the Club. Tonight she returns by popular demand, this time to recount her travels in Tasmania – devils, pademelons and all.

There’s more about Clare and her travels on her website https://clare-walker-speaker.weebly.com/

“NOW 90!” – our 90th birthday, Kickoff Event – Saturday Afternoon Reception
2024-09-14 13:30 - 17:00 | Croydon Masonic Hall
EVERYONE is invited to come along for an informal visit during the afternoon to enjoy a chat and catch a little of our club’s history by viewing some of our archive materials. Sorry I couldn’t give the times sooner but I only gained them late yesterday.
Please come upstairs to the Wheeler Room whenever you choose between 1.30pm and 5pm. The bar, downstairs, will be open all day for drinks and you can purchase lunch up to 2pm here’s the menu.

Also here’s the location map and note that the nearest bus stop is on Hogarth Crescent, served by many routes from Croydon. The Oakfield Road entrance to the building is also shown.

Please note that the driveway to the left goes to a small car park but it’s only available to those for whom I have been able to reserve a place and those people have already been informed. Other drivers need to use the car park in Stanton Road, behind the green railings.

Important: all drivers must remember to register their car numberplates on the touchscreen, when they enter the building. This screen is on the left hand wall. We have been advised that people coming for the afternoon, leaving and returning by car for the evening, should enter the details on both arrivals. If you are coming only as an afternoon visitor, please vacate the car park by 5.30pm.
Those of you booked for the evening event: please arrive from 6.45pm to socialize a little with friends and buy drinks before we need to be seated at table by about 7.20pm.
Our anniversary shindig is now very close! I look forward to sharing it with many of you. 😊

"NOW 90!" - our 90th birthday event, Part 1 - Party Time!
2024-09-14 18:45 - 23:55 | Croydon Masonic Hall
Members, past members and friends of the Club and their guests are invited to join us for an evening of dining, dancing, presentations and fun to celebrate COPSE’s 90th birthday.
Featuring:

A 3-course meal
Presentation of Special Awards
Guest Speaker
Dancing to a ceilidh band with top-notch caller
Strutting your funky disco stuff too
In Croydon’s finest celebration venue

Reservations must be made by 1st September. See Ireen’s emails for full details of the event, menu choices and how to get your tickets, or if they haven’t reached you contact her directly:
umpfamily@hotmail.com
07968 035522
Getting There:

The entrance is on Oakfield Road

"NOW 90!" – our 90th birthday event, Part 2 – Commemorative 'Ron's Ramble'
2024-09-15 12:00 - 17:00
Members, past members and friends of the Club and their guests are invited to join us for an afternoon in the great outdoors to continue our celebration of COPSE’s 90th birthday.
More details will appear as planning develops.

Captions &. . . .Kit
2024-09-17 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Advance Notice – land of opportunity for your photos!
All
This Club Night one element of the evening is the Caption Competition, where you apply your considerable wits to some problematic pictures.

Back in the days when this traditional diversion started, we took the occasional snap with a box brownie, only weeks later paying through the nose to get the pathetic results from the Chemist – usually stickered with “Out of Focus” or “Under Exposed” – and we relied on outtakes from Viewpoint for the source material.
In contrast, in the high-tech Utopia we now inhabit we have the opportunity to upgrade our experience using the plethora of photos from COPSE activities of all flavours lurking undiscovered on people’s phones and other digitisers, just begging to be dragged into the light of day for our amusement.
So my request to you is: please email me any such pictures asap so we can include them in next week’s entertainment.
Thanks in advance

Ken ken@brogan.co.uk
(I know, shameslessly pasted in from the last time. Life's too short . . . .)

Saturday Walk with Pepys – Stroll 3 - a Night Out! - POSTPONED
2024-09-21 10:00 - 17:00
Apologies all, but due to sickness I’ve had to postpone this at short notice. I’ll reschedule.

Ken

We were all so impressed with the Pepys Walk last December that we did a Second Instalment in February. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth flogging to death, so here we are for a third go.

Where?
Again we’ll be following the 17th Century footsteps of Samuel Pepys, this time seeking out the many places he went to for a good night out – of which he was an enthusiast. Again I’ll be your amateur guide, book in hand, pointing out the connections to Pepys on the way. No doubt other COPSErs will continue to persist in offering their own observations!
This will be an easy 3-4 hour walk along pavements (boots not required) for about 4-5 miles, ending with an optional beer or two at a historic tavern that also serves food. As it’s in central London, there’s plenty of access to public transport if you want to leave the walk early.
Who was Pepys?

A man who lived through the upheavals of the Civil War, the execution of Charles I, the reign of Cromwell and the subsequent restoration of the Monarchy with Charles II. Most significantly for us, from 1660 to 1669 he wrote a daily diary describing events high and low. He was a man on the rise with connections to politics and royalty, but determined to enjoy life with visits to taverns and theatres, domestic life with his French wife, and furtive dalliances with a variety of disreputable ladies.
Getting there
I’ll be catching the 10.15 East Croydon Platform 4 to Victoria.
Joining opportunities:

East Croydon station from 10.00

https://w3w.co/dock.jars.folds

At Victoria station from our scheduled arrival time about 10.32

https://w3w.co/gladiators.zooms.sweep

At the entrance to St James’ Park, junction of The Mall with Marlborough Road, where we start the walk, from our expected arrival time about 10.45-11.00

https://w3w.co/pool.shrimp.linked

Call me (number below) if any difficulty joining up.
Finishing
We finish in The Borough, handy for London Bridge station and a couple of interesting pubs. I’ll be shooting off to see the mighty Palace crush Man U (kickoff 17.00).
Links
Pepys’s diary for this day 363 years ago: https://www.pepysdiary.com/
General info on Pepys: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Pepys
Contact
Ken on 07921 258876

What3Words
Explanation is here. You can use the links to find any 3-metre square on earth. For best results, download the App.

An evening with HAL 9000?
2024-09-24 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Linda and Tim’s Scottish recollections will now be on 12th November.
Instead . . .
Back in 1968 it was

“I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that”

But these things can (probably) do things HAL never dreamed of:

Tonight we explore their possibilities!

Trip to the Netherlands - postponed until Spring 2025
2024-09-26 - 2024-09-30
We are planning on being based in Amsterdam with a visit to Arnhem.
Unfortunately this trip will not happen when originally planned. Instead we will organise one for Spring 2025 – tulip time?

🎼When it’s Spring again we’ll bring again . . . 🎵

Watch for announcements of the new dates.

London Loop (Nonsuch Park to Kingston)
2024-09-28 09:00 - 17:00
It’s time to continue the London Outer Orbital Path from last spring. This is a 150 mile long trail around London linking together parks, meadows, woodland, rivers and streams, and some suburban streets in a kind of Odyssey.
We shall continue from where we left off in Nonsuch Park and should reasonably expect to get to Kingston, a distance of around 8 to 10 miles (with all the little add-ons), but it’s possible to leave at some points by bus or train, should you wish to.
We shall pass the site of Henry VIII’s Nonsuch Palace (nothing left above ground now, of course), likely make a short visit to the Bourne Hall Museum in Ewell, and then largely follow the Hogs Mill stream/river path to Kingston. Kingston is a good place to finish before embarking later on in the year on the first part of the LOOP north of the Thames.
Fairly straightforward topography most of the way, with no serious hills (as far as I recall!).
Buses and trains back from Kingston – train via Clapham Junction, or maybe better to get the SL7 express bus back to West Croydon.

HOW TO GET THERE!
Please catch a SL7 express Heathrow bus from WEST Croydon bus station, stop B3, and alight/get off at CHEAM VILLAGE, THE BROADWAY. There’s a bus at 10.08 BST, and I shall meet that bus at around 10.45 at that stop in Cheam.
Alternatively, you can catch the bus a few minutes later at East Croydon, stop E8 in Dingwall Road.
We then walk across Cheam Park to reach the point at which we left-off the LOOP six months ago. (If you don’t mind I’ll meet you at Cheam rather than Croydon, as it’s easier to get there from where I live.) One could get to Cheam by train, as long as you get to that bus stop for 10.45 please.
Any queries, phone me. DO NOT EMAIL ME AFTER 11.59pm on Friday – I don’t have email ‘on the go’.
Bring your usual supplies, but there may be one or two cafes and pubs along the way, and certainly at Kingston.

Yours, Paul Newbold
Tel. 07968 223589

Merton Abbey Mills: talk by John Hawks
2024-10-01 20:15 - 22:00
Our cyclists’ recent trip down the Wandle took them into Merton Abbey Mills. While there they were so impressed by John Hawks and his knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the history and importance of the Abbey Mills that they recommended him for a COPSE evening.
So here he is, ready to educate and entertain us with a short film and talk. In his words, “Merton Priory is the plum feature of Merton Abbey Mills, and while I could certainly go on for hours about the Mills (which was the historic Liberty silk printing works before we turned it into a craft market) I think the Priory is even more interesting, and we can start by showing the 15 minute film about it!”
You can get a flavour of this history at their website https://www.mertonpriory.org/, but come along on Tuesday and John will bring it to life.

John has been involved with Merton Priory for many years and even wrote the Historical Guide, pictured here. Not to be missed!

Walk from Hever Station to Chiddingstone and Markbeech
2024-10-05 09:00 - 17:00
Meet at East Croydon Station from 09.00 to catch the 09.22 train to Uckfield, alighting at Hever.
This walk will be about 9.5 miles, and will start from Hever Station. It will take in Chiddingstone where we will stop for coffee, then The Rock at Chiddingstone Hoath, on to the Kentish Horse at Markbeech and back to Hever Station, or back to Cowden Station saving 0.7 miles.

Gatliff Planning
2024-10-08 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Dear COPSE
On Tuesday evening we continue planning for our annual Challenge Walk, the 40th Gatliff Marathon: Gatliff Marathon – Croydon Outdoor Pursuits & Social Events Club (copsecroydon.co.uk)

Gatliff Marathon – Croydon Outdoor Pursuits & Social Events Club
The 40th Gatliff Marathon SATURDAY 19th OCTOBER 2024 The Gatliff Marathon is an annual challenge walk, jog or run of 25 or 50km mostly on footpaths and tracks in the Kent and Surrey countryside.
www.copsecroydon.co.uk

This a hands on practical evening for all.
After a brief introduction we will split into groups.
We need up to 10 people to bring boxes down from the store room, put together kit for each of the five checkpoints (including Edenbridge), and put the boxes back into the storeroom. Nigel will supply the packing lists for each checkpoint.
We need 3 people with good handwriting to write up the checkcards for the 25k and 50k route participants. Sandra will supply the lists of names and pens.
Ken would like to talk to those planning to walk the 25k route to discuss logistics etc.
The Gatliff committee will be on hand to discuss any questions you may have about the day and give out leaflets to COPSE members to help promote the event.
Even if you have not heard about the event, please come along to lend a hand and find out about the event that was meant to be a one off for COPSE’s 50th anniversary, but celebrates 40 years this year.
We look forward to seeing you there. Please arrive promptly at 20:15 and start the evening with a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.
Bob will be on hand to collect subs.

Best wishes
Margaret Philipson,
Chair of the Gatliff Marathon Committee

Email: maphilipson@hotmail.com
Mobile: 07985 198 947
Home: 01737 762 471

Cycle Ride
2024-10-12 09:30 - 17:00
Bike Ride
Led by Bob G
20 miles on The Waterlink to Greenwich.
“Not one single hill” – Bob
9.30 at East Croydon, by the taxis.

SingalongaSteve
2024-10-15 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Return of the COPSE Choir!

Can’t sing? You’ll surprise yourself, as Steve Barbe unearths unsuspected vocal talents in even our most unpromising members.
This is an entertaining evening where Steve brings humour and freshness to get everyone up and joining in. Come along and raise the Hall rafters even higher!

Add to calendar

Gatliff Marathon
2024-10-19
The 40th Gatliff Marathon
SATURDAY 19th OCTOBER 2024
The Gatliff Marathon is an annual challenge walk, jog or run of 25 or 50km mostly on footpaths and tracks in the Kent and Surrey countryside.
The challenge is to complete the event in under 10 hours, following the route directions and checking in at each of the checkpoints.
Full details, including entry, on the Gatliff page here.

Pantomimes: talk by Chris Abbott
2024-10-22 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
An A-Z of Pantomime
A light-hearted ramble through panto old and new, including some of the history of this genre and some of the strange traditions and superstitions associated with it, fully illustrated with many images.
Chris is a theatre reviewer and journalist, professor, author and panto musical director. He writes books about theatre (Putting on Panto to Pay for the Pinter, among others) and reviews for West End Best Friend.

To Be Confirmed (Please note that the visit to the Knepp Estate has been postponed)
2024-10-26 10:00

AGM
2024-10-29 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
It’s our Annual General Meeting
Your opportunity to look back at the past year and forward to the next. Reports will be made, officials elected, motions tabled, awards handed out and good deeds applauded.
All are welcome – looking forward to our usual large AGM turnout.

Have you voted for the Best Events and Best Viewpoint Articles?
Awards will be made at the AGM. Voting deadline is midnight on Sunday 27th October. Send your votes to Ken (Viewpoint) or Sandra (Events).
