Woodland photo walk
2025-05-17 09:30 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
We’re now meeting at 9.30am, to take advantage of better light in the morning and also so it won’t be too hot whilst we’re out, especially between Frith Wood and Warlingham where we will be more exposed to the sun:
Part One
What: A photo walk around our beautiful woodlands with activities to learn how to take better photographs
When: Saturday 17th May
Meeting Point: Fairfield Halls bus stop (‘KA’) to catch the 403 alighting at Sanderstead Methodist Church
Time: 09:30am
The Photography Stuff
Bring any camera you know how to use and is in good working order, even a smartphone(!). Make sure your camera is charged, bring extra charged batteries if needed, and you have enough memory card space/spare cards. It might be useful to bring a spare battery pack for your smartphone.
I’ve got several exercises and techniques to help you try take better photos, which will help you as you progress through the walk. If you can remember, please bring a sheet of white paper, whilst not essential, it is highly recommended. You can fold it down so it’s easy to carry. I’ll explain more about this on the walk.
If you have a camera with interchangeable lenses, then do feel free to bring them, though it’s good to bring as little kit as possible so you’re more agile. A tripod isn’t necessary for this walk; I won’t be bringing mine.
The Route
After alighting from the bus stop on Limpsfield Road it’s a short walk to Kings Wood, on to Selsdon Wood, Frith Wood, St Mary’s Church, reaching Warlingham Green around 2pm-ish, where we can end at a local café or The Horseshoe pub for refreshments.
We’ll be covering about 6 miles/9.5km on foot.
There’s a dry stony downhill path from Kings Wood to get to Selsdon Wood, then a short uphill on grass through Selsdon Wood, and a windy path in Frith Wood, but all paths are in relatively good condition and free of mud.
Possible exit opportunities after Selsdon Wood, or possible after Frith Wood (but it’s a walk uphill to catch a tram at New Addington).
Health & Safety
Risk assessment: Risk of tripping on dry stony paths — wear suitable footwear; occasional nettles and brambles — especially if you wander off the path; we’re mainly in woodland areas but do take care when crossing roads; sun exposure — wear sunscreen and wear suitable protection from the sun
Walk essentials: Bring enough drinking water, packed lunch/snacks as there aren’t any provisions on the route
Contacts
Photo Leader: Melenie (07721 166785)
Walk Leader: Barry Wilson (07748 808608)

Next month (June 10th) I’ll be hosting Part Two of the Photo Walk – to give you time to pick some of your photos you took on the walk and send them to me so I can compile them to put on the projector to digest as a group at Club Night. This is all about participation and learning from others.
Looking forward to seeing some of you next Saturday! 📷

Melenie and Barry

Loop walk
2025-05-18 09:00 - 17:00
Time for more LOOP,* this time from Hatch End, probably as far as Elstree, but can be left off at Stanmore to get bus or nice walk to tube station (instructions will be handed out for the walk to stn for anyone leaving off here).
Please bring a yellow tabard, if possible. Most road crossings are OK, at islands, but there is a nasty crossing by a busy roundabout, but we can alleviate this by walking up the road a little and using an island, going across 2 at a time, stepping over a barrier each side. These are the “flies in the ointment” of the LOOP…
If we get to Elstree & Borehamwood station there are four trains an hour back to Sutton, changing at Farringdon for East Croydon.
About 9 miles of undulating terrain. Bring usual food and drink supplies – about one possible cafe, and maybe a refreshment van, along the way, and likely pubs at Elstree. We are firmly into the Hertfordshire countryside with a viewpoint back towards London, and with some interesting little bits of history, etc along the way, including film and TV history on boards at Elstree. & B station.
Meet at Hatch End rail station main hall at/from 10.50am BST….. I shall go from Epsom Downs and change at Clapham Junction. You can go from East Croydon Stn to CJ, then catch a train to Willesden Junction (Mildmay Line usually from Platform one, so a bit of a walk over to it), then changing at WJ for Hatch End on the Lioness Line.
Meet at East Croydon Station for 9.09 train via Clapham Junction and Willesden Junction
If you get to Hatch End early there is a Wetherspoons (something to do with sixpence in the name) and we pass that way anyway so can pick you up here (breakfast, anyone?!).

Paul Newbold, 07968 223589

NO EMAILS ON THE DAY PLEASE (I WON’T SEE THEM UNTIL I GET HOME!)

*A 150-mile long route around London using green areas, meadows, woods, rivers and some streets.

Walking the Camino de Santiago
2025-05-20 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Another highly recommended talk for our education and entertainment!

Some of us have walked at least part of the Camino, and more of us would like to! Trevor Meadowcroft has done it and he’ll be here to tell the tale. He’ll talk about the walk he did a year ago and fill us in on the history and context along the way.
What’s the Camino de Santiago?
Wikipedia tells me it’s “a network of pilgrims’ ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle James in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition holds that the remains of the apostle are buried. Pilgrims follow its routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth. It is also popular with hikers, cyclists, and organized tour groups.“
More information there at this link.

Visit to Willam Morris Gallery - places available!
2025-05-22 10:30 - 17:00
Great news: COPSE have been offered a free group tour of the wonderful William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow- normally £150! We can follow the tour by spending some time Walthamstow’s very own lovely Lloyd Park. Meet at East Croydon station at 10.30 – train to Victoria then tube. Tour is at 12 noon.
Update 20th May
Due to cancellations there two places still available. Please contact Andrew if you’d like to take one of them.

St Albans Town walk
2025-05-24 09:00 - 17:00
This will be St Albans, where there are lots of things to do including its Saturday “charter” market, St Albans Cathedral (free), St Albans Museum + Gallery (free), a park + lake, one of the “claimed” oldest pubs in the country (Ye Olde Fighting Cock 🐓), the Veralamiun (Roman) Museum + “The Waterend Barn” Wetherspoons up in the High Street where we’ll be having a late breakfast from about 10.45am.
At the moment, the plan is to meet at East Croydon station from 9am to give enough time for those needing to buy return tickets to St Albans City (not Abbey), then aim get the 9.21am Thameslink train (platform ?) which is due to arrive at 10.13am (only 52 minutes !!)
If there are any “late comers”, it’s a half hourly service where you can give me a call to meet somewhere later up in the high street.
I’ll confirm everything nearer the time, but if you have any queries, please let me know.
Keith Southam

Bank Holiday Bike Ride to Horniman Museum
2025-05-26 10:00 - 17:00
Start at 10am outside East Croydon Station.
Take cycle route 21 to S.Norwood country park then quiet roads and parks to Crystal Palace park. Zig-zag up through the park to the BBC transmission tower (we won’t be climbing to the top on this trip), side roads to Dulwich then through Dulwich park. A short distance on the a205 south circular road and short sharp climb to the museum.
Propose to spend 1 hour (maybe slightly longer) at the museum to explore the grounds, visit the museum if you wish and for lunch. Cycle racks near the cafe and I can wait with the bikes if necessary.
Return will be a combination of quietish side roads and a couple of busier main roads as we head down to Bell Green where the route rejoins route 21.
The route then heads for Beckenham Place Park, up through the woods and around the lake before heading back to Croydon via Beckenham / route 21.
About 24 miles. Slightly hilly in places but not too steep. Beckenham Place Park woodland trail probably unsuitable for thinned tyred racing bikes but my Brompton survived ok.
Drop out point at halfway stage – Forest Hill train station with trains back to Croydon.
Cafe at Horminan museum, good views across London, nice gardens. Museum worth a visit (free entry).

Please let me know if you wish to join me. I will post final numbers Saturday evening but I will go regardless unless there is heavy rain on the day.
Peter B

Amsterdam Retrospective
2025-05-27 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
The opportunity for everyone who went to tell their story of what they did and what they saw, where they stayed, what they ate, and their favorite experiences. And, of course, for everyone else to be thrilled – nay, stunned! – by their reminiscences.

It’s bound to include lots of pictures of the sights of Amsterdam and our reception in Arnhem.
Andy is pulling this all together, please contact him with your contributions.

Help for Holmbury!
2025-05-29 - 2025-05-30
Please have a look at these – and then read on!

As our COPSE Auditor, John Diamond, has quite rightly picked up in our Club accounts of recent years, we have a “Small Hostels Fund” that has been sitting unused. Partly, it has remained dormant owing to the effect of “Lockdown” on the YHA and our nearest and dearest hostels. However, we are about to Spring into action with a work party to Holmbury St Mary. This hostel’s fortunes have changed but revenue from its overnights still feed back into the YHA.

John D. is kindly joining our little band of brothers and sisters to carry out some “grounds beautification” that the new managers have requested. We would like a couple more bodies to join our work party, please! This is planned for Thursday, 29th May, staying for a free overnight to complete anything the next day, leaving the hostel on Friday, 30th May.
I took these photographs of a few of us working at Holmbury on one of our previous sessions that I’d organized there.
This is your chance to become part of a new, happy group enjoying a refreshment break!

For any further information – and to sign up for our 2025 endeavours! – please contact me a.s.a.p. and I can provide fuller details. Transport from the Croydon-ish area is offered for the trip to the hostel and back.
A good deed is waiting to be done.
Ireen Best (07968 035522)

Trip to Ireland
2025-05-31 08:00 - 2025-06-07 17:00
I’ve had a great response for the trip and unfortunately I can’t take any more people.
If you want to come and are prepared to arrange your own accommodation etc then I can give you information of where we are staying.
Linda

ACCOMMODATION
https://www.islandview.ie/index.html
Island View is located in the fishing village of Roundstone, Connemara, County Galway. This will accommodate about 12 of us (two to a room) and through the same owners I can book a 3 x bed-roomed cottage in the village of Roundstone, called Bakery Cottage. Who goes where will depend on the final male/female split.
All rooms have en-suite facilities and we would be self-catering.
Therefore I am capping this trip at 15 people.
TRAVEL
Fly to Knock Airport.
There is a late morning flight by Aer Lingus departs 11.00 from Heathrow arrives Knock at 12.30.
The transfer time to the accommodation is 2hrs 20mins, or longer if you go by Bus.
We are planning to hire 5 seater cars (the cars work out cheaper than mini-buses) to collect at the airport and for use throughout the week. This also means that with 3 cars and 3 drivers the group can split up to go to different places of interest.
The flight back departs about 1pm from Knock Airport.
There are alternative flights from different airports and we are still looking at the options. I’ll confirm the preferred flights once I have final numbers and deposits are paid.
WHAT IS THERE TO DO?
Roundstone is picturesque fishing village, with shops, amenities, pubs, cafes, restaurants and a grand hotel and it is right on the scenic west coast. There are plenty of coastal and woodland walks and Errisberg mountain whose summit can be reached by a short walk! Three kilometers away are the sandy beaches of Gurteen Bay and Dog’s Bay.
There are various islands that can be visited by ferry such as Inishbofin and the Arran Islands. The City of Galway can be reached in about an hour by car or a bit longer by bus. Dublin can be reached in about 3 hours by train from Galway.
With hire cars we can explore further afield too.
COSTS
Accommodation: Approx £269 p.p
Flights Allow up to £200 return
Car Hire Allow up to £100 p.p Total cost excluding food is approx. £570.

Irish Evening - with Zoom!
2025-06-03 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom

Southdown Way Camping Park - Hassocks
2025-06-06 08:00 - 2025-06-08 17:00
As many Copsers will be in Ireland (albeit returning on the Saturday) suggestions were sought at an earlier planning meeting for something to keep those of us not going to Ireland occupied the weekend 6th-8th June.

The idea is to have a simple weekend away, close to Croydon which can be easily reached by train. The following campsite fits the bill :

https://www.southdown-caravancamping.org.uk/

The campsite is1 mile from Hassocks train station.

It does have a policy regarding large groups but I have been assured that up to 10 people will be OK providing we leave any boom-boxes at home and generally behave ourselves. I assume that at most only half that number will be available due to the Ireland trip.

The prices are for non-electric grass pitches and are £10 per person per night for backpackers. This is a special rate for backpackers who must arrive on foot. No limit on tent size but the camper must be able to carry the tent. No cars allowed to receive this special rate.

If you wish to drive the price will be £38 per person for the two nights.

Bookings can be made up to the day before arrival. I suggest we collate numbers, keep an eye on the weather forecast, and then I can then make the booking a couple of days before the 6th.

I need to be at the campsite by mid-afternoon Friday 6th to confirm the booking in person. Latest booking-in time is 6pm but I can book in anyone who needs to travel down later in the evening.

It would be nice to bring camping stoves and eat at the camp site and sit around and chat in the evenings but we can find a nearby pub for food if we want to.

A very informal trip. I am happy to go even if if there are only a few of us. We can discuss what to do during the daytime Saturday / Sunday and what time we want to leave on Sunday to return to Croydon.

At the moment I have 4 expressions of interest. I can provide a foldable cargo trolly if it would assist with carrying some of the camping gear from the train station.

The route from the railway station is along pavements except the final 250 yards of Lodge Lane – postcode BN68LX (40 mph limit).

Let me know if you are interested.

Peter: 07403 808 007

Photo Walk Review
2025-06-10 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
A warm thank you to those who joined the Take Better Photos event on 17th May.
We packed a lot in on the 7-mile photo walk; we learnt about leading lines, negative space, macro, camera angle, portraiture, abstract, and visual storytelling. It was a joy to see you all getting involved, experimenting, and working together.
The plan now is Part Two which will take place on Club night 10th June. Can the walk participants email your pics to me – up to 10 shots – by 1st June. I’ll combine them and present them on the projector. Do feel free to make any exposure/saturation tweaks, however, do not crop the photos – as this is fundamentally where we’ll likely learn the most in this session.
Whilst we’ll be going through our photos we took on the walk, Part Two could be a useful session for other COPSE members who also wish to learn how to take better photos.

Melenie
—

Murder Mystery evening
2025-06-14 17:30
Dear COPSE
I am looking forward to welcoming you all for an evening of Murder, Mystery and intrigue and maybe even some sequins! Come dressed in your finest 1970’s studio 11 outfit!
A light snack buffet will be provided. BYOB.
Murder on the Dance Floor – An interactive murder mystery with music.
When? Saturday 14th June from 19:30;
Where? St Matthew’s Church Hall, Station Road, Redhill;
Who? Form a team or join one on the night!
What? Buffet and soft drinks available;
BYOB How? £10 adults, £7 under-18s Tickets available now. 7
More details here.
Tickets are available here – Adults £10, children under 18 £7
St Matthew’s is on Station Road, close to both the railway and bus stations. See: Find Us – St Matthew’s Redhill.
Best wishes

Margaret Philipson

Hastings to Winchelsea Walk - 10 miles
2025-06-15 09:00 - 17:00
Update: The plan is to catch the 09.02 at East Croydon via Eastbourne to Hastings, arriving at 10.53. I will meet you in the car park at 11 am. For anybody else wishing to drive, park in the station car park, it costs £3 I think. Please let me know if you are driving.

Otherwise, you will need to get a day return ticket to Winchelsea, the cost is £40 or £26.60 with a railcard.

The first half is hilly, the second half flat. The only opt-out is from Fairlight Cove, just under 5 miles in, where you can get a bus back to Hastings, but infrequent times, namely 12.55, 14.55, and 16.55.

Return trains from Winchelsea depart at 53 minutes past the hour, change at Hastings.

The days are long, so no rush, there is a pub at Fairlight Cove after 5 miles where you might be able to get food, but best to bring a packed lunch. We might even be able to eat at the end, but I haven’t investigated that.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
I am planning the above walk, it is 10 miles long (I can’t make it any shorter). This is a shorter version of a route walked by Kate Humble on her coastal walks series, though she walked on to Rye (allegedly). From Hastings we go up the East Cliff Railway, then follow the coast through Hastings Country Park, Fairlight Glen (the dripping well), Fairlight Cove, up the Royal Military Canal, Wickham Manor (National Trust), Winchelsea (pub stop). Then walk to the train station to return to Hastings.
It is time consuming and expensive to go to Hastings by train, so I am looking for volunteers to drive and take passengers to Hastings.
Please let me know if you are willing to offer lifts or want a lift – you will need to depart Croydon at about 8.30 am.
cheers
Tim

River Bourne: talk by Roger Packham
2025-06-17 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
The Morris Dancing evening has been rescheduled for 1st July.

What’s the Bourne?

The undiscovere’d country, from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?

Nope, Shakespeare had no clue.

It’s actually the mysterious intermittent stream that flows from Caterham to Croydon. On the rare occasions when it rises it is said to foretell doom and disaster and was known as The Woe Waters.

This talk by historian Roger Packham (of The Bourne Society) draws on an extensive historic postcard collection to describe each of these parishes and to unravel the secrets of the mysterious Bourne.

Another riveting talk to enliven your Tuesday evening!

Bluebell Railway and Horsted Keynes - Rescheduled from 23 May - Cancelled
2025-06-21 09:00 - 17:00
This event will not be happening on this date. It may be rescheduled later in the year.

The idea is to catch a train from East Croydon to East Grinstead, then the Bluebell Railway to Horsted Keynes. Next we walk to the National Trust Gardens (not too far), have a look around, visit the tea shop, walk back to Horsted Keynes, maybe have a beer, look around, make our way home by train. However, I am being squeezed on both sides by other events, so need to know if anyone is interested, otherwise I will reschedule. Please let me know. Tim

Andrew's Choir Concert, Euston
2025-06-21 19:30 - 21:00 | St Mary’s Church, Somers Town, 23 Eversholt Street, LONDON NW1 1BN, NW1 1BN
Andrew’s London’s Transport Choir and BT London Choir perform “Music for a Midsummer’s Evening” including Vivaldi Gloria and choir favourites – modern and classic. “We’d love to perform for you.”
15 minutes walk from St Pancras International (Thameslink entrance) via Brill Place, Phoenix Road to Eversholt Street. See Andrew for tickets – £8.50 in advance or £10 on the door.
No prior meeting place – please find your way to the church – see address below. Speak to Andrew if unclear / any questions.

MI5 exhibition
2025-06-22 10:30 - 17:00
UPDATE:
The current forecast is a sunny 29C, woo hoo !
From The National Archives:
“Explore the ever-changing world of espionage and security threats through original case files, photographs and papers, alongside the real equipment used by spies and spy-catchers over MI5’s 115-year history.”

The indoor exhibition might give some respite from the burning sun, but there will also be plenty of outdoor activity there and back and in and around the riverside aspect of the site. Sun cream, drinks and hats all worth taking.
With the staggered start, it could get confusing.
TRAVELLING BY TRAIN AND BIKE
The train+bike party is setting off from East Croydon around 10:30, space on the trains permitting. The route is mainly traffic free along the Thames Path.
TRAVELLING BY TRAIN AND FOOT
The train+foot party is due on the 11:06 train, so we might miss each other at the start. There is a change to the schedule with an exciting rail replacement bus on the final leg so it now looks like this:
11:06 from East Croydon to Clapham Junction, arriving 11:15
11:24 to Richmond from platform 5, arriving 11:39
Then rail replacement bus final destination Willesden Junction
11:44 to Kew Gardens, then walk to the site: Bessant Drive, Richmond TW9 4DU
Walking route here https://maps.app.goo.gl/CTWpzSbpiwpeJ9HP9
Please could someone on the non bike route keep in contact with me so we can synchronise our mission, spy film style? Seems there are multiple entrances to the site, so we might need to coordinate by phone to meet up. The NA report that it can be busy at the weekend.
“Planning your visit to MI5: Official Secrets? Weekends can be busy, so we recommend arriving early.”
But then, 12 noon might be early enough to beat the afternoon rush.
Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday !
Richard
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
“For the first time, MI5’s history will go on display to the public in a major new exhibition, made possible through an unprecedented partnership between the Security Service and The National Archives.”
Entry is free, there is no booking needed, might be busy.
By Train
Assemble at 10:50 for the 11:03 from East Croydon, to Clapham Junction, change for the train to Richmond, District Line one stop to Kew Gardens and finally a nice 10 minute stroll to the National Archives.
By Bike
While we could ride there all the way (15 miles), and you still can, the group plan is to meet at East Croydon at 1030, take the next the train, or trains, to Clapham Junction, then ride the remaining 6 miles mainly along the Thames Path.
Weather and legs allowing we can work out the best return route.
Catering services are provided by the “Maids of Honour Tea Room”, so taking a packed lunch is optional, with on site catering.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/visit-us/our-cafe-and-coffee-bar/
There is an extra bonus, with a special treat available at the Archives, the “Maids of Honour Tart”. “belief is that King Henry VIII rediscovered the recipe and either presented it to or named it for Ann Boleyn, lady-in-waiting to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. The recipe appeared in the The Accomplisht Cook (1665)”
While these tarts have a long history, they are freshly made every day.
Hoping to see you on the day, bike or foot. Hoping as always for good weather too.
Richard
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/visit-us/opening-times/

Summer Evening Stroll
2025-06-24 18:45 - 22:00
This week we’re NOT meeting at the hall but going for a walk instead !!
Gather from 6.45pm at East Croydon tram stop
Tram to Beckenham Junction tram stop (every 15 minutes)
TO MEET ME AT 7.30pm for an easy three mile circular walk around Kelsey Park with an option to go to O’Neills pub for drinks 🍺🍷🍵 at the end from about 9pm.

Just in case you haven’t remembered , this is a repeat of one of Olga’s summer evening walks that she led in 2022.

If you have any queries, please let me know.

Keith Southam

Green Spaces Open Day
2025-06-28 11:00 - 17:00
Visit this event in Croydon’s Central Library in Katharine Street, find the COPSE stand and come to chat with us. You can discover how our Club enjoys using our borough’s very many public green areas.
Click the leaflet below for full event details.

Good News for Cyclists - Bike Marking in South Croydon!🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
2025-06-28 15:00 - 16:00
Bike marking in South Croydon
A police session to improve the security of your bicycle. This will be on the junction of Brighton Road and Selsdon Road, by the benches near to Ledbury Road.
Exact location https://w3w.co/pigs.blast.album One of our COPSE cyclists will be there to give information about some of our COPSE Cycle Rides.

Country Walk - Capital Ring, Part 2 - Falconwood to Grove Park, with a Detour
2025-06-29 11:00 - 17:00
Weather Stop Press
We’ve all seen the weather warnings and I don’t have to tell any of our seasoned COPSErs about hats, suncream, carrying water or any of that. I’m sure you’ve all studied and memorised the walking guidance at https://www.copsecroydon.co.uk/policies/guidance-on-walking-cycling-and-camping/, so you know what precautions to take.
What I will say by way of reassurance is

We won’t try to break any speed records, it will be an amble with plenty of stopping opportunities
and
If it all gets too much on the day there are many chances to leave the walk early. We’ll be passing Eltham and Mottingham stations, and I’m sure there are buses that will take you somewhere useful eventually

So come along and enjoy!

Continuing to be inspired by Paul’s assault on the Loop, and encouraged by the enthusiastic turnout for Part 1, I’m continuing the Capital Ring circuit. Click on the map for full details of what the Capital Ring is.

According to the book this leg is only a matter of 3.5 miles, described by the official app as “gorgeous”, but hardly a sufficient stretching of legs for the power walkers of COPSE. So we’ll be extending the trip to take in a visit to “The Last Remaining Tudor Barn in London”, making the whole walk about 6 miles. The terrain is mostly flat on paths and tracks.
There will be feeding and toilet opportunities along the way.
We can return from Grove Park Station via London Bridge.
Joining Opportunities

East Croydon station from 11.20 to catch the 11.34 to Victoria
https://w3w.co/dock.jars.folds
Victoria station near Platform 7 for the 12.03 to Falconwood
https://w3w.co/wool.mercy.bump
Falconwood station from our scheduled arrival at 12.39
https://w3w.co/pits.boat.perky

Contact
Ken on 07921 258876

North Wood Morris
2025-07-01 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
Rescheduled from 17th June.

Be entertained by a mixed gender Morris side, performing traditional dances from the Cotswolds. We can witness their energetic demonstrations – and there will be an opportunity for any of the audience who might like to get up and have a go!

Evening cycle ride - rescheduled from 27 June
2025-07-04 19:00 - 22:00
Meet outside Fairfield Halls at 7pm for an evening ride around ten miles in length with a pub stop for a drink.
We take suburban and countryside routes to Woodmansterne and the Woodman pub. A meal is not planned but you could take your chance. Drinks and snacks / crisps etc expected.
At least ten miles in length, probably a couple more. Out via start of Wandle Trail (so Waddon / Beddington residents may like to intercept us). Some steady not steep hills out. Almost continuous downhill return (via Woodcote / Pampisford Road).

Regards
Andrew
07985 936953

Croydon Green Spaces Walk
2025-07-06 09:00 - 17:00
The next Green Spaces Walk will be Hamsey Green to Old Coulsdon.
Distance is about 8 miles or 13km, taking about 6 hours including a 30 mins refreshment break at Kenley Common and 1 hour lunch stop at The Fox pub.
The terrain is mixed; downhill from Hamsey Green to Godstone Road in Whyteleaf, then uphill to Kenley Aerodrome, then flat/undulating to the Fox lunch stop, then downhill to Happy Valley, and then uphill into the woods, then downhill to Happy Valley and a steep uphill to Ellis Road Playground where we follow the contour to Old Coulsdon and a final uphill to the Tudor Rose and Old Coulsdon centre.
Bring plenty to drink and some food and I would advise to bring some lunch.
There is a COOP at Hamsey Green but not much along the route.
Food is available at the Fox but it can be very popular and you may not be able to order and eat in the time available.
Where to Meet
Hamsey Green, at the junction of Limpsfield Road and Tithepit Shaw Lane at 9.30 – https://w3w.co/miles.either.scare.
There is a regular bus 403 from Croydon to Warlingham. Hamsey Green stop.
We’ll set off at 9.45
First stop Kenley Common 11.15/30 30 mins
Lunch The Fox 1.00-2.00
We finish in Old Coulsdon at the Tudor Rose /Grange Park between 3.30 to 4pm
In Old Coulsdon there is the Tudor Rose pub, a Morrisons Local mini supermarket, and a cafe in Grange park that shuts 4 to 4.30.
From here there are regular 60 buses to Croydon via Coulsdon rail stations, and 466 buses to Croydon and Caterham-on-the-Hill.
I look forward to seeing you all!
Andy

Visitors' Open Evening
2025-07-08 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
We welcome all visitors to come along to a sociable evening and the chance to find out what we do.
Our members will meet and greet you from 8.15pm. Coffees and teas available. There’ll be a free raffle ticket just for coming through the door – with the possibility of winning a prize!
Find us at:
South Croydon United Church Hall
Aberdeen Road
CR0 1EQ

The entrance to the hall is on Heathfield Road, next to the Church. Very close to the main road, which is served by many buses. For drivers, street parking is free in the evenings, providing you stay south of Coombe Road.

Visitors' Walk or Cycle Ride
2025-07-13 13:30 - 17:30
A free “Visitors’ Walk or Cycle Ride”
Join us for either, meet some of our Members and find out more about our Club!

The Walk
Meet outside Croydon Central Library in Katharine Street at 1.30pm. https://w3w.co/lands.body.rivers
This will be an Urban Mystery Walk, taking in parts of Croydon with some interesting history and things to spot! This will take about three and a half hours at an easy speed, allowing for observations and comments.
Distance is about six miles but with various pauses (and various opt-out points, if necessary). It will end just into part of South Croydon – – with teas / coffees and cake!
Some specific streets and landmarks will be included. Hopefully, some interesting information can be gleaned about places we too often just hurry and scurry past. If you are able to enlighten us with your additional knowledge as we go around, that will be to the benefit of all!
To Bring: Any food or drink you can consume as we wend our way along our route. No refreshment stops are included until we end the afternoon.
To Wear: Fingers are crossed for dry weather – please do come clad in keeping with the weather forecast.
Comfy town footwear should be fine – but not your Sunday best because there will be a couple of leaf-strewn paths that might be a little mucky.
There will be a “glossy souvenir brochure” for all who attend!

The Cycle Ride
Meet outside Croydon Central Library in Katharine Street at 1.30pm. https://w3w.co/lands.body.rivers
The route will be a flat, return ride to Greenwich and its surrounds, 20 miles total, finishing in South Croydon – for coffees / teas and cake!
To Bring: Your en-route drinks and snacks. There will be a refreshment stop opportunity at Greenwich.
To Wear: Cyclists should consider wearing a helmet and any other appropriate safety cycling attire.
The ride will be suitable for all types of bikes.

The Points of View Quiz!
2025-07-15 20:15 - 22:00 | South Croydon United Church Hall, Aberdeen Road, South Croydon, CR0 1EQ, United Kingdom
A COPSE special!
The Points of View Quiz!
Brand new for COPSE, your host tonight will be the best most fabulous magazine editor in town! Form a team and test your knowledge on what you’ve read (or more likely, what you haven’t read) in the past year in Viewpoint magazine, and probably ‘other sources of information’ because not every COPSE event has had a roving reporter.
Expect the unexpected, because the Editor does have a certain quirky way of presenting things. Remember, all the fun may be in the detail. Whether you have or haven’t read the magazine, the quiz will include multiple choice questions so there is always a chance anyone can win! Your host may even award extra points for the funniest answer. Think of it like a ‘Have I Got News For You’ COPSE edition!
Prize, you ask? Don’t expect to win a speedboat, or a case of champagne, but I’ll have a root around in my dusty bin if it’s not bin day.

p.s. Viewpoint writers needed urgently. Apply within!

Bonus Evening Cycle
2025-07-18 18:15 - 21:00
Hello cyclists. Having checked no other COPSE events on Friday and following our enjoyment of a Friday evening cycle the other week, I propose another this Friday, 18th July. And this time a little earlier with a view to having a meal at the pub – The Harrow, Farleigh Common.
Meet outside Fairfield Halls from 6.15pm in time for a 6.30pm departure. We will aim to get to The Harrow by 8pm. Route to be determined. Can be varied depending on our progress. Some steady hills out. As before, largely downhill back into Croydon.
Bring lights for your bike. (And note to self, charge them up!)
Regards
Andrew
07985 936953

Folk & Blues Festival
2025-07-19 12:00 - 22:30 | Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road, Croydon, CR0 1BD, United Kingdom
Join COPSE Members as they visit and enjoy this annual Garden Party at the local Ruskin House, 23 Coombe Road. https://w3w.co/fact.porch.modes
Live music to entertain us throughout the day and the evening, plus side stalls, real ales, barbecue and other refreshments. £7 on the door.
