Pepys Walk
2025-02-23 11:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
The three Pepys Walks we’ve done so far have been popular, so we’re back for Episode IV – along the river to Greenwich

Where?
Again we’ll be following the 17th Century footsteps of Samuel Pepys, this time leaving the City and Court to explore his naval connections. 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 5-6 hour walk along pavements (boots not required) for about 8.5 miles, ending with an optional beer or two at a historic tavern that also serves food. Leaving opportunities will be more restricted than central London, but there are connections to transport at Bermondsey (Jubilee line), Rotherhithe (Windrush line) and no doubt a selection of bus routes.
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 11.09 East Croydon Platform 1 to London Bridge, then walking a mile or so across London Bridge to Seething Lane, where we start the walk proper.
Joining opportunities:

East Croydon station from 10.55

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

At London Bridge station near the entrance to Platform 5, from our scheduled arrival time about 11.30

https://w3w.co/garage.exact.improving

Outside St Olaf’s church, Seething Lane, Junction of Hart Street / Crutched Friars, where we start the walk, from our expected arrival time about 12.00

https://w3w.co/dime.waddled.owner

Call me (number below) if any difficulty joining up.
Finishing
We finish at Greenwich, where there are some interesting pubs and a variety of ways to get home!
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.

Safer Neighbourhood Team
2025-02-25 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Safe Neighbourhood?

Tonight we have the visiting Police Community Support Officer for South Croydon’s “Safer Neighbourhoods Team” for the area in which our hall is located. This P.C.S.O. has knowledge and experience to share with us about the district in which we socialise, shop and travel through.
A police officer will be accompanying and, through the presentation by our two guests, we should gain useful advice about issues that might be of concern to some COPSErs. There will be opportunity to ask questions and receive answers.
In order to benefit from this session, we need to start promptly at 8.30pm because, owing to the shift times of our guests, they must finish about 9.15pm to return to their office and write up their day’s reports.
We hope as many of you as possible can arrive for teas / coffees at 8.15pm and have bottoms on seats for the 8.30pm start. Thank you!

Regards,

Ireen Best (07968 035522)

COPSE Meal Out at Avenida Brasil
2025-02-27 19:30 - 22:00
Every couple of months, we have had an evening to socialise with food, supporting local restaurants but trying different cuisines. This time we shall be going Brazilian.
🍽️ 🪇 🇧🇷 🍷
For Thursday, 27th February, I have reserved a separate dining area at “Avenida Brasil”, 14 South End and, again, only a short walk from our Club Night hall. The venue is served by many local buses. (It is near to “The Truro,” where we went last time, but on the opposite side of the road.)
W3W: https://w3w.co/singer.civil.engage

This link will take you to the menu.
Our places are reserved from 7pm. If you would like to have your name on the list, please me know. (Of course, do contact me, if you have any queries.)

Regards,

Ireen Best (07968 035522)

Geeks Transport Tour of London 2025
2025-03-02 09:00 - 17:00
Here are details about the event on Sunday 2 March – Geeks Transport Tour of London 2025. Meeting times further below. (Basically 9.15am East Croydon.)
This year’s trundle round (part of ) London’s transport system to view new and historic transport and development related attractions features a trambus, a glulam roof, a station box, an award wining audio visual experience, step free access (a lift) seamlessly integrated within a Grade II listed station, restored and celebrated heritage and more besides. Likely even a Guyanese kitchen – Dionne note.
Places include Beckenham Road, Crystal Palace, Surrey Quays, Elephant & Castle, the Outernet (what’s that?), Paddington, Barons Court, Hanwell and Victoria. And others. Not necessarily in that order and subject to variation.
Geeks will hardly be able to contain their excitement, so I am proposing an early (for me) start of:
East Croydon tramstop 09:15am (to catch 09:27am tram towards Beckenham Junction. So be prompt.)
or join later:
board tram at Addiscombe at 09:34am
alight / meet at Beckenham Road tramstop at 09:45am (Bob Clare note)
Crystal Place bus station 10:10am
Crystal Palace rail station approx. 10.45am
We will incorporate refreshment breaks where we can. We will likely have a lunch break at Elephant & Castle (either Kaieteur Kitchen Original or Elephant & Castle – Mercato Metropolitano
And end at Market Halls Victoria | Restaurant & Bar In London Victoria
Cheers
Andrew

Pancake Tuesday!
2025-03-04 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Yes, the date changes from year to year but the importance is in the name: Shrove Tuesday – otherwise know to many as Pancake Day!
The time for tossing and turning has come around again – no, not a reference to restless sleep but a reminder that the COPSE Pancake Night will be this week! A flipping good time can be had. 😁
For those COPSErs who wish to keep things simple with an approach that would also involve a degree of less mess to clear and clean at the end of our evening, there are easy “just add water” mixes available. These are can be bought in many shops for about £1, now even M & S, I have been informed.
Of course those of you wishing to prepare a batter from scratch to bring with you, or one on site, should not feel deterred. Whichever you prefer, please provide your own batter and accompanying filling ingredients.
Also, we do need to have some extra cooking appliances, if possible, so please bring any camping stoves or portable electric hobs you may own, along with frypans, spatulas, plates and cutlery. (As with our recent Burns Night feast, clearing away is so aided if COPSErs can pop their own used items into a bag to take back home for cleaning.)
During the evening, indulge yourselves with self-made food – and become creative by experimenting. Try the challenge of concocting unusual toppings / fillings and perhaps tempt other brave people to try your results! Below are some of both savoury and sweet efforts from past years. (The idea is to not have tried out your ideas in advance!) Here are some ingredients of past experiments:
Savoury

Mushrooms with garlic, onions, mixed herbs and cream
Grated mature Cheddar cheese with optional pickle
Blue cheese (“upmanship”!) with sun-dried tomatoes
Sardines
Mexican chilli beef
Cheese & tomato
Humus
Tahini
Habanero chilli

Sweet

Maltesers
Nutella chocolate spread
Christmas pudding with crème fraîche (over ten months to replace the pud!)
Lemon curd sprinkled with ground ginger
A drizzle of honey with flaked alomonds
A line of cubes of chocolate
Greengage jam
Cream cheese with Greek yogurt, sultanas & sour cherry jam
A slight spread of butter, drizzled over by variously flavoured coffee syrups
… and, of course, the traditional fresh lemon juice and sugar, which, understandably, some folk resolutely still prefer!

If you didn’t already, certainly try some of these yourselves or create new concoctions to add to our list.

As well as devouring our pancakes, we may once more have a tossing contest for anyone who wishes to take part.
Come to beat and eat, chew and chat. Shrove Tuesday can prove to be a battering but pleasantly sociable Club Night.

London Loop Walk
2025-03-09 09:00 - 17:00
Hi All, continuing from where we left off at West Drayton, about 8-9 miles. Taking us into Berkshire and to ‘nine o’clock’ on the imaginary clock-face of the LOOP, this 150 mile route around London following green spaces, rivers, a canal, and occasional suburban streets.

This is the most watery part of the LOOP (perhaps in more ways than one!). We follow the River Colne and the Grand Union Canal for much of the way as they make their way through and between lakes. We cross an aqueduct where the Canal goes over a river (very strange) and go under the new HS2 rail viaduct, which is quite a sight/site (so I am reliably told). There will no doubt be many boats of character to see on the Grand Union (we may even bump into Robbie Cummins on his Naughty Lass and end up on the telly!?). Oh and there’ll be some Locks, as you’d expect on a canal, one with an 11ft drop. There are a couple of pubs along the way and a likely possible tea shop (but probably no pole dancing this time!).

But bring some drink and food along just in case, and be prepared for some mud in places and on the towpath.

It will be possible to leave/join about half way at Uxbridge if wished, and also a possibility to stop at Widewater Lock, a mile and a half short of West Harefield for a bus back to Uxbridge if wished.

But…We may well get as far as West Harefield (near Harefield Hospital) where we catch a bus to Uxbridge Underground station and come back into a central London Terminal of choice to get back to East Croydon, etc.

Meet West Drayton Rail Stn in the main foyer (split into two adjoining parts, but either part will do) at 10.45am, ready to depart by or before 11am.

A Travelcard Zones 1-6 is good for to-day at £11.00 with a discount card.

A recommended route for you is: 09.07 from East Croydon (via Victoria, tube to Paddington, then Elizabeth Line to West Drayton). But do your own research, as the advert says

If you encounter any problems getting to the start be sure to phone me, and we can wait for the next arrival at 11.07am, but only if really necessary please.

If a general consensus among yourselves, prefers a half an hour later start, then I am open to this BUT OTHERWISE we stick to the above.

Paul 07968 223589

Folk Night at Cryer Arts, Carshalton
2025-03-11 19:30 - 22:00 | CryerArts Centre, 39 High St, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3BB
Another chance to go back to Cryer Arts Centre for their monthly Folk Night 🎸 🪕 🎶, which starts at 7.30pm (doors open upstairs earlier).
You can buy a £6 ticket via this page on their website or pay at the door, where I’ll be in their restaurant/bar from about 5.30pm.
Buses SL7, 157 + 407 from Croydon stop opposite, as does the 127 bus from Purley, and there’s plenty of free nearby parking after 6.30pm.
if you have any queries, please let me know.

Keith S

Port Lympne Reserve
2025-03-15 - 2025-03-16
Valerie and I had a very enjoyable stay at Port Lympne earlier this year so I thought this would appeal to some other COPSErs – an animal park & safari weekend on the 15 & 16th March 2025.

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is set against hundreds of acres of stunning “Kentish savannah” overlooking Romney Marsh. There are 900 animals across 75 species that call Port Lympne their home and it is a haven for many rare and endangered animals. Expert keepers look after the incredible animals that call our 600 acre park home, day in and day out and invite you to catch a glimpse into where the wild things are! Please click here to view the web site.

Access to the parks (Howletts and Port Lympne) is from opening on Saturday morning to closing on Sunday evening (about 12 hours of daylight).
View the wild animals at leisure in quieter times, while the park’s closed to the public.
Included is a safari in an open-sided truck with live expert commentary.
Animal encounters and photography workshop are at extra cost and subject to availability.
The on-site hotel has a bar and restaurant, and there are additional eateries and picnic spots in the parks. We may have a meal at the County Members pub on Saturday evening, about a 20 minute walk away.
Stay in shared comfy Pinewood Lodge glamping pods with kettle, complimentary tea and coffee, separate shower and WC blocks, a washing-up point, games room and fire pits. See below.
Other more expensive in-park accommodation is available, or you can just come along for a day visit (ticket is £35 including safari).
Travel from Croydon is about 1 ½ hours by car or 2 ½ hours by public transport (train to Sandling or Ashford stations and then a bus); the return might include a short car ride to Sandling station as there is no Sunday bus service. There is no advance information on engineering works at the moment.
The cost (park access, Saturday night accommodation and safari) depends on occupancy. The pods have two single beds and a double futon (sofa bed). For each pod:

four people – £70 for a single bed and £60 each to share the futon
three people – £86 per person
two people – £130 per person
costs for guidance, could change depending on the make-up of group.

Please check out the information and, if you’re interested let me know with any caveats.
To secure your place please pay me a deposit of £50 by 31st December at the latest.
If you’d like a day ticket, also please let me know.
Transport options are dependent on number of passenger spaces. If you’re a driver willing to take passengers please let me know how many.

Please contact me if you need any further information.

Thanks.
——————————————————————-
Further update sent 31st December 2024
Paul D
Hi COPSErs.

Please see below for details of the trip. As I need to confirm the booking imminently, this is the last call for anyone else to join for the overnight option. Thank you to those who have already let me know and have paid the deposit.

Also, Nigel’s spotted another offer, half-price animal experiences if anyone would like to book one of these. Please let me know if you’re interested and hopefully we can coordinate timings etc:

https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/safaris-animal-experiences/

https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/safaris-animal-experiences/animal-encounters/

Please bear in mind I plan to book the included safari for the Sunday afternoon. Hopefully all of us COPSErs will be in the same charabanc.

The proposed itinerary for the weekend is to start off at Howletts near Canterbury on the Saturday, then head south to Port Lympne for a three o’clock check-in at Pinewood. We can do a circuit of the park and hotel, maybe catching some “keeper talks” on the way. In the evening we’ll dine at a nearby pub and on returning spend some time around the fire pits before bed time. It’s worth getting up early for a dawn patrol to see the animal early risers doing their tai chi! Breakfast and/or lunch will be either a DIY (bring your own apart from teas and coffees provided) or in one of the cafes. Then we’ll go on safari. At nightfall on the Sunday it’ll be back to Croydon, ETA 8pmish.

Thanks.

Paul D.

If you’re coming as a day-tripper please let me know as you could possibly use a spare park ticket and this would reduce the cost for the over-nighters.

Colne Valley Walk - Rickmansworth to Uxbridge
2025-03-15 11:00 - 17:00
A walk following alongside or near to the Grand Union Canal between Rickmansworth and Uxbridge (depending on time possibly doing a dogs-leg on the Hillingdon Trail away from the canal), with a CATCH-UP FOR ANY LOOP WALKERS WHO WISH TO FILL IN A MISSING BIT IF THEY LEFT EARLY LAST SUNDAY…but it will be backwards (in reverse, I mean!), but will still count.
BUT near Rickmansworth we shall first visit the Batchworth Lock Canal Centre (look up on internet) and there is a chance of a short boat trip here (if running).

ALSO I shall offer the chance to go under the HS2 Viaduct again from the other direction to last week from anyone experiencing FOMO. One person last week said this was the best bit of the whole walk!

Narrow boats and Locks aplenty along the way with the deepest lock on the Grand Union (11ft drop or rise).

Cafe at Batchworth Lock Canal,Centre and Coy Carp pub at Harefield.

With the way Life goes, it could be many years before we are back this way again, particularly as we get further round the LOOP and get involved with other places, so it’s a good opportunity on a spare weekend to get to know the area better.

Meet at Rickmansworth station for 11.00am and wait in main hall of station. (I’ve never been there) – might be a good idea to phone me to see what train to Rickmansworth we are on (same or different).
Rickmansworth Station is underground and national rail and is in ZONE 7. so you will need to buy a single ticket from Moor Park to there at some point.

Home from Uxbridge u/ground stn. Chance to leave early near Widewater Lock by bus back to Uxbridge (where some of us went home from last week).

Whole walk is 7-8 miles or so, unless if you leave early. Obviously this is OPEN TO ALL

Don’t forget to make your own arrangements concerning the fact that the outward journey involves going outside zone 6 by one stop

Paul Newbold (07968 223589

St Patrick's Evening, Ruskin House
2025-03-17 19:00 - 23:00 | Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon, CR0 1BD, United Kingdom
We’ll again have a COPSE table at this enjoyable event.
Let Ireen know if you’d like her to keep a seat for you.

Bring Your Work Home #10
2025-03-18 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Because we don’t know how all our COPSErs earn their daily bread, a good many of our Members have shared some of their working-life experiences with us. Since 2010, through “Bring Your Work Home With You”, we have been entertained and educated and this week we shall gain an insight into the past or present paid employments of a few more of us.

Please be supportive to those gamely taking to front of house and turn up promptly to hear their tales! Coffees and teas served from 8.15pm but the kitchen will be closed when our first presenter “takes to the stage”, which we hope will be 8.30pm, if no techie problems! Thank you.

Regards,

Ireen Best (07968 035522)

North London Peaks
2025-03-22 10:00 - 17:00
This is the plan
Meet at East Croydon station from 9.15am
=> 9.30am (approx) Thameslink train to Finsbury Park station
=> train to Alexandra Palace station
(where there are loos + a small coffee shop) where my seven mile “up + down” walk will start about 11am via
1) Alexandra Palace (300 ft)
2) Muswell Hill (330 ft)
3) Parliament Hill (322 ft)
4) Primrose Hill (213 ft)
to finish at Cecil Sharp House’s bar (near Camden Town station) about 4pm
Keith S

Chip Shop Crawl
2025-03-25 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
A Tasty Time With a Fishy Result!

Firstly, we need some tasters! If you are able to arrive at the hall ready to depart from there by 8pm this Tuesday, happily becoming a “crew member” for cruising some local-ish chippies, please let me know. We have a few volunteer drivers to transport these important tasters to the necessary fish and chip shops. At each, one portion of chips will be purchased and all COPSErs who are there will taste a chip or two and award points out of ten. This Club crew will then proceed to the next chippy and repeat the process. These tasters will be important people! The results of their voting will dictate to which chippy we return to buy fish and chips for all to eat back at the hall.

The purchasing of fish and chips for all will depend on the pre-ordering. If you are not one of the “chip shop crawlers”, you will still need to let me know in advance, if you wish to enjoy a fish and chip supper together with your fellow Members. We envisage being back at the hall with the hot take-aways by about 9pm. Andy, plus some probable helpers, will be kindly setting up the “COPSE Café” while the tasters are on the road. It is a good number of years since we last undertook this “crawl” but now, as then, the evening will overall be a chance to socialize a little at the hall and also with car-sharing passengers.

N.B. All partakers will need to bring along some cash to pay for the nosh! As we don’t know which shop will win our order, I can’t yet state the price but between £10 – £15 would be expected to cover a full portion of F & C. If you wish to share a portion and can arrange this with a fellow diner, please let me know. (I might be able to assist with this, if you send me such a request.) Re cash, it will be most useful if you can have available a selection of coins as well as notes!

As per our system in recent times, we ask all diners to please bring their own plates and eating irons– and a bag to take said items home again to wash up. We are not expecting any kitchen fairies to do this in the hall!

I repeat that I need to know numbers before 7.45pm Tuesday night for both “mobile tasters” and for diners. Also, in case we have an abundance of tasters signing up, please let me know if you would be prepared to be an extra driver, if required, even though I have not already asked you.

I hope all the above is understandable! Of course, please do contact me, if you have a query.

Regards,

Ireen Best (07968 035522)

Cherry Blossom Walk - London
2025-03-30 10:15 - 17:00
Meet at East Croydon for the 10.26 train to Victoria. Then Picadilly line via change at Green Park to Russell Square station. Short walk to Tavistock Square Gardens- see statues and tree planted to remember victims of Hiroshima.
Choice of Hare & Tortoise for low cost Japanese food or Honey + Co – Middle East bakery.
15 minute walk to Regents Park/ or can see if any buses going.
Head to Chester Rd entrance to see cherry tree lined pathway then head towards Queen Mary’s Gardens + Avenue gardens+ Japanese garden island.
Then either get tube from Baker st to Ladbroke Grove and walk to Kyoto Garden in Holland Park via Stanley Crescent Notting Hill, or the more able bodied can opt to do 1hrs walk from Regent Park to Holland Park but would need someone to take charge for this group.
Option of Curry at Khans in Westbourne Grove or pizza at Pizza Union for those wanting to linger a bit longer after. Or other branch of Hare and Tortoise in Kensington High St.

—

Captions & Kit
2025-04-01 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Bollywood Dance has again been postponed – watch for announcements for a possible reschedule

Loop Walk
2025-04-06 09:00 - 17:00
Time for more LOOP (London Outer Orbital Path), a 150-mile walk around the outskirts of the London area, taking in woods, meadows, rivers, canals, and some suburban Odysseys!
We are finally moving away from the Grand Union Canal which has been our trusty companion for some time. So some more hills now! Pleasant rural Hertfordshire, far flung from our native Surrey! Ancient woodland from at least c.1650. Possible Bluebell woods in the afternoon, if they are blooming already, otherwise use your imagination. About 8-9 miles or so.
No tea shops, but two pubs along the way and a ‘Tim Martinspoon’ at the end, if wanted and if we get that far this time. Bring packed lunch, etc. Yellow tabard: if you have one you could bring it. There is a nasty road-crossing, but I may do a ‘Moses’. here and stop the traffic!
Early start, probably the longest journey to a start on the LOOP!
I shall be going ridiculously early on the 7.12am from Tattenham Corner, going via London Bridge, then by tube. This is because I am the ‘leader of the pack’ and this is my job. You can be a little more relaxed (please “do your own research”) BUT please be at Uxbridge in good time to catch the 10.35 U9 bus to Harefield West (getting off at the bus turning circle by Belfry Avenue). If this bus is missed the next is in one hour, or you can get the 331 bus but these are on the hour and half hour from Uxbridge and it requires a one mile walk from Harefield village down to the Harefield West Belfry Ave stop.
Buses that we need (U9 or 331) go from Stop L outside Uxbridge Tube Stn. After going through the barrier from the train, turn right through the side entrance of the station to get to the buses. (Do not go ahead out of the main entrance.) If you get to Uxbridge early there is a wetherspoons not far from the station (by exiting by main entrance and going towards the right.)
Back from Hatch End Rail Stn (assuming we get that far) – 3 trains per hour: Lioness Line to Willesden Junction, then Mildmay Line to Clapham Junction (then Copse Line home!).
I am open to suggestions that we don’t get to Hatch End this time, but come home from Moor Park. This is over half way to Hatch End (from where we start), about 5 miles or so in all, and would not mean a short section next time. We could linger longer in one or both pubs, and maybe even start an hour later. But this is for you to discuss amongst yourselves, and let me know. Otherwise, if I don’t hear from you, I shall do what I’m told and assume we are making for Hatch End.
Paul 07968 223589 (no emails on the day!)

A usual Final Call email much nearer the time will confirm the details, and notify of any change.

Photo Competition
2025-04-08 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Stop Press – 📷Can You Print?
You do realise that the Photo Competition is less than two weeks away? And the judging is on prints only?? And you haven’t thought about printing yet???
If you don’t have a printer at home there are plenty of options, but you need to think ahead. Snappy Snaps, Boots and other shops will do the job, and there are plenty of online options – I’ve used Snapfish with good results

Country Walk - Capital Ring, Part 1 - Woolwich to Falconwood
2025-04-12 11:00 - 17:00
Inspired by Paul’s assault on the Loop, I’m kicking off a series of walks around the Capital Ring. Click on the map for full details of what it is.

My book says this leg is about 7 miles, with a few slopes and the possibility of mud if wet. There will be feeding opportunities along the way.
We can return from Falconwood station via London Bridge.
Joining Opportunities

East Croydon station from 11.00 to catch the 11.15 to London Bridge
https://w3w.co/dock.jars.folds
London Bridge station near Platform 1 for the 11.39 to Dartford
https://w3w.co/garage.exact.improving
Woolwich Arsenal station from 12.01
https://w3w.co/twig.looks.wizard

Contact
Ken on 07921 258876

Caterham Easter Bunny Fun
2025-04-13 10:00 - 17:00
Hi all,
Hope you are all enjoying this amazing spring weather. The event is a significant fund raising event for us and funds raised will go to support a variety of charities. These have recently included cancer treatment charities and supporting charities for the homeless. It is a good fun event and it would be nice if COPSE members could support it. From the meeting on Saturday we have 170 confirmed entries. You will see a COPSE member who will be cunningly disguised on the day.
Queens Park is on Caterham on the Hill.
Transport – train to Caterham Station and then walk up Waller Lane to park. Turn right out of station and you will find Waller Lane. Turn left at end of Waller Lane and park is straight ahead.
Bus 407 to Caterham Valley then up Waller Lane or 466 to Caterham on the Hill. Turn right at parade of shops and Queens Park is about 10 minutes walk on right.
Hope to see you there. I will be down on Tuesday so any queries please ask.

Join the Rotary Bunny Fun Run for a great cause! | Caterham Rotary

William Edwards

Arnhem Evening
2025-04-15 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Arnhem Evening: a focus on our twin town and it’s history from WWII to the present, covering both its war and its peace.
This should be of interest to all “history buffs”, whether or not they are joining our April / May visit to the Netherlands, which will include a day visit to Arnhem.
We shall have a Guest Speaker for part of the evening. Colonel John Power will talk on the Battle of Arnhem that raged at the final stage of Operation Market Garden in September, 1944.

London Heights replaced with Kingston to Richmond bike ride - approx 35 miles
2025-04-19 09:00 - 17:00
Due to difficulty planning the originally listed ‘London Heights’ event on Saturday 19th April would anyone instead like to join me for a cycle ride to Kingston and Richmond upon Thames and back. Approximately 35 miles.

Leaving at 10am from outside the Croydon Parish church we will take the well used cycle route 20 to Merton Abbey Mills where we can stop for refreshments.
The route will then be via Raynes Park and the C31 cycleway into Kingston. The above is about 15 miles in total. Mostly flat and mostly off-road except on the approach into Kingston.
The route will then be via the Thames path to Richmond bridge, approximately 5 miles. Please note that this section of the Thames path can be very busy with pedestrians making cycling the last quarter mile on the approach to Richmond difficult. We may have to dismount and walk.

Lunch will be at the Tides Tables cafe adjacent the Thames and Richmond Bridge. There are low metal railings that our bikes can be secured to if need be.

The cafe is vegetarian. If you wish to find an alternative cafe nearby we can split up and regroup for the return leg.
Cafe website: tidestablescafe.co.uk

Return to Croydon via a steepish climb to Richmond park, across the park and then along the side of the A3 (cycle path) back to Raynes Park, Morden Hall park etc. About 15 miles.

Please let me know in advance if you would like to come along. I will update the website Friday evening with expected numbers.
If it ends up with only myself and one other going you may wish to drop out. In any event I will still go as it is good exercise.

If it looks like heavy rain on Saturday I will still wait and the start point and see who turns up.

Thanks,
Peter
07403 808 007

Ashdown Forest Walk
2025-04-21 09:00 - 17:00
Hello all,

This will be a walk on the edge of Ashdown Forest, Kent. About 10.5 fairly hilly miles. Conditions underfoot quite dry – at the moment!

So meet at East Croydon station for the 9.22 train to Eridge arr 10.03. (Uckfield train)
Return ticket to Eridge is £14.70, (£9.80 with railcard, a bit less with a freedom pass.)

It will be 6.5 miles to Hartfield, where there is a pub and teashop, but bring a packed lunch if you prefer.

Then 4 miles back to Ashurst station ( on the Uckfield line)
Trains back to E.Croydon at 0.56 past the hour taking 41 Minutes.

Barry

Portrait Evening
2025-04-22 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
What do John Singer Sargent, Teresa Hoy and myself have in common? Find out at the next Club night Tuesday 22nd April! We will be hosting a workshop to enable anyone to pick up some drawing observational skills learning how to draw from the right side of the brain. To get the most out of the session we will start promptly at 8.30pm.
Materials will be provided on the night, so all we need is a group of enthusiastic COPSErs!
Hope to see you there.
Melenie & Teresa

Weald Walkers Wander
2025-04-27 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday 27th April 2025
Starting from: St Andrew’s Hall
Moorhouse Lane
Limpsfield Chart
RH8 0SR
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The Weald Walkers Wander is a team walking event with a difference.
Each team will use their skills to map their routes between check-points and solve a series of on-route clues whilst walking the route. Each checkpoint will involve a short challenge or quiz to make it a good fun day out for all.
Walking boots are recommended and suitable outdoor clothing for the weather. Cold drinks and biscuits will be provided at the checkpoints, fruit and hot drinks at the lunch stop and hot drinks, cakes and cheese and biscuits at the finish. All provided free.
Each team must have the latest Ordnance Survey Map, Explorer 147. Also bring a compass, pen and clipboard.
You may enter in teams of between 2 and 5 people and at least one person in each team must be 16+.
Teams will leave between 9.15 and 10. There is a time limit of 7 hours but it is not a race. The route is about 10 miles, mostly on footpaths – which may be muddy.
The start is from St Andrew’s Hall
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Advanced booking is recommended as there will be a limit of 20 teams.
Check in ready to work out your route between 8.45 and 9.30 in order to depart between 9.15 and 10.00
For entry forms: email: lindabignall@virginmedia.com

The Kentones Barbershop Choir
2025-04-29 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
The Kentones are a Barbershop Choir who have been entertaining crowds for 50 years and come highly recommended.
As their website says:
What we love to do is entertain. Our music committee have worked hard to put together a diverse repertoire of traditional and popular songs which is constantly changing. We are always working on something new to add, so there is lots of variety!
Come along, marvel at their 4-part harmonies and take the chance to join in the fun.

Trip to Amsterdam
2025-04-30 08:00 - 2025-05-06 17:00
After the success of the Berlin Trip last year we’re off to foreign parts again!

This Amsterdam trip has got off the ground. (Cue joke about the ground in the Netherlands not being very high – can’t think of one.) It’s not too late to join in.
We have nine booked to travel on Eurostar. (Out Wed 30 April, return Tues 6 May – two extending a few more days. Direct train London / Amsterdam approx. 4hr 40min. All discounts that me and another copser can access are used but standard fares range widely and are worth a look.)
Most are currently reserved at a “Stayokay” hostel. Some spaces are available in this initial booking (bunks in same sex, COPSE-only rooms with bathroom: £48 to £53 per person per night depending on number; breakfast extra; 12% tourist tax extra). A few are seeking hotel accommodation nearby. I can provide details.
Email me if interested and we’ll see what we can do.
Activities
There are of course loads of quaint canal side scenes, world renown art galleries (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Musuem), Anne Frank house, city and Dutch culture. I have never been so open to recommendations. I also propose that we make a day trip to see Arnhem (50 mins / 1hr by train) to see what Croydon’s twin town is like and visit the museum about the allied attempt to capture the Rhine bridge https://www.airbornemuseum.nl/en/airborne-at-the-bridge There is also scenic heathland in the vicinity of Arnhem that would be pleasant to walk in or cycle through.
And we shall aim to have a tulip field tour / trip.
Regards
Andrew

Open Mic Jam at the Oval Tavern
2025-05-06 19:30 - 23:00 | Oval Tavern, Croydon, 131 Oval Road, Croydon, CR0 6BR, United Kingdom

Isabella Plantation
2025-05-11 09:00 - 17:00
This is to let you know the details of a walk of about 6 miles which I will be leading from Richmond station to the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park to see the annual blooming of the azaleas and Rhododendrons.
We will be meeting at East Croydon Station at 9:35 to catch the 9:44 train to Clapham junction, where we change to platform 5 to catch the train to Richmond. There are quicker ways to reach the Isabella, but I think this route combines a very pleasant walk with the possibility of seeing some beautiful blooms which I hope will still be out and not too faded by all the sunny weather. Don’t blame me if they’re not at their best!! It’s always a bit hit and miss whether they’ll be worth seeing, but I’m sure it will be a lovely day out anyway.
From Richmond Station, we walk down to the river and eventually turn left through Petersham and enter Richmond Park through the Petersham gate. From there it’s about a mile (including one hill) to walk to the Isabella where we can spend an hour or so. We return via Pembroke Lodge where it is possible to get refreshments such as cups of tea or even ice creams if the weather is warm enough. We then walk down through the grounds of Pembroke Lodge and eventually exit the park through the Richmond gate and proceed down the hill back into Richmond admiring the lovely views of the river along the way.
Best to bring some sandwiches and plenty of water since the weather forecast is very good for Sunday. As I mentioned there is a possibility of getting refreshments at Pembroke Lodge in the afternoon and there are also pubs and cafés along the way back to Richmond.
Look forward to seeing some of you there.
Nicky

Croydonopolis with Will Noble
2025-05-13 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
This coming Tuesday we bring you another very special presentation that should be close to the hearts of all Croydonians – even us adopted ones!

Will Noble is the author of Croydonopolis: A Journey to the Greatest City That Never Was. Here’s the blurb from Amazon:
D. H. Lawrence and David Bowie struggled with being there. Comedians from Kenneth Williams to Harry Hill have found it a convenient trope for philistinism and the banal. The ‘Croydon facelift’ has become a snobbish putdown. Riots and burning buildings in 2011 didn’t help. And yet this town halfway between London and Brighton can claim a remarkably distinguished – and hidden – history at the centre of things. No fewer than 6 archbishops are buried there. Continental air travel – from London’s first airport – began there. In the sixties it was a daring experiment in futuristic brutalist architecture. Its contribution to black culture began with our most notable black composer and culminated in the first black British artist to headline Glastonbury. Its Brit School produced everyone from Adele to Amy Winehouse and Raye. Still want to diss Croydon? Croydonopolis tells the amazing story of this much-maligned town, whose only fault was to be too far ahead of the curve, and always go for broke.
You can read more about the talk from earlier publicity here, and see Captain Sensible enthuse about the book on Facebook here.
This talk comes highly recommended by members who’ve seen it. Don’t miss it!

Planning Meeting
2025-05-15 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 15th May
6.30pm for food & drink
8pm for Business

Add to calendar
