You are recommended to ring the Hotline for the latest updates before turning up. More info.
Saturday 13th February 2010 (start 9:33 AM) (end 6:38 PM)
Type of event: Day walk
Organiser: Nick White
Location: Coulsdon-Tattenham Corner
Distance: 13.5 miles / 21.7 km
Title: North Downs Drifter
Hello everybody,
Join us whatever the weather on yet another Surrey walk on Saturday 13th February, this
time a 13.5 mile linear journey along the North Downs from Coulsdon to Tattenham Corner.
This is another of my favourite walks in this area, with plenty of variety, colour and good
views too ...
Starting at Coulsdon South station, we quickly leave the housing behind as we slowly ascend
Farthing Downs with its tumuli and docile Sussex cattle before dropping down into Happy
Valley and up across muddy fields to the village of Chaldon before venturing inside the
11th C. church of St Peter & St Paul ...
The doom painting depicting the ladder of salvation is worthy of a detour! For more
information on this tantalising apocalyptic vision, refer to:
http://www.surreycommunity.info/chaldonpc/history-of-chaldon-church
The penitence continues as we join the North Downs Way for a short stretch with views
towards London and southwards towards the Greensand Ridge and beyond (on a clear day, you
can see the South Downs). Thereafter, we'll cross Alderstead Heath and more downs (and ups)
to Chipstead, traversing more muddy fields and woodland (not forgetting the vileness of the
A23 ...) After the picturesque valley of Chipstead Bottom, we'll then ascend to Banstead
Wood and follow quiet lanes and hedgerows to not-so-quiet Burgh Heath and Nork Park, before
finishing on the final furlong at Epsom Downs with some excellent scenic views over the
twinkling lights of London and beyond to Surrey with Hampshire on the western horizon (even
better with a sunset!). A fitting end to our torment and without being chased by the four
horsemen of the apocalypse ...
Moderate pace over hilly terrain but no seriously steep bits. Be prepared for mud, rain,
sleet, cold, misery, suffering and plain downright purgatory. Sunset is around 5.15 pm.
For lunch, bring your own munchies and we'll stop somewhere for a picnic. Possible
afternoon drink at the suitably named "Ramblers Rest" PH at Chipstead Bottom (a bizarre mix
of 14th C. farmhouse and modern decor bar, designed for the fashionista walker perhaps?).
This pit of decadent sin is only 0.5 miles from Chipstead station for those wanting a
shorter walk of 9.5 miles.
Meet at COULSDON SOUTH station (down platform) at 10 am and we'll move off soon after the
train arrives from London. Train travellers will need to catch the 9.33 am semi-fast
service from LONDON BRIDGE station (destined for Horsham). This service stops at Norwood
Junction 9.45 am, EAST CROYDON 9.51 am and arrives at Coulsdon South at 10.00 am. I will
meet you at the station... Plenty of frequent services run from London Victoria to East
Croydon. (Try the 9.21 am departure, arriving at East Croydon 9.37 am). For ticketing, buy
a One Day All Zones Travelcard (bargain!) since both starting and ending stations are in
Zone 6. If you just happen to miss us at Coulsdon South station, then follow the green
London Loop path signs up Reddown Road and turn right onto Farthing Downs.
Aiming for the 5.51 pm service at latest back from Tattenham Corner to London Bridge
(arriving at 6.38 pm). This service stops at Smitham station which is only a 10 minute walk
away from Coulsdon South station (for any car drivers). Half-hourly through service
frequency.
Nick
Tuesday 16th February 2010 (start 7:00 PM) (end 8:00 PM)
Type of event: Meeting
Organiser: Paul Grimaldi
Location: St Pauls
Title: Committee Meeting
The committee will be meeting on 16th Feb @ St Pauls YHA 36 Carter Lane EC4
5AB 7-00pm
Members are welcome to attend but the evening consists of the committee
talking for an hour in an oak panelled room.
So usually only of interest to insomniacs and commited committee members.
If you would like to raise an issue with the committee but would prefer not
to attend, you can do this by writing to me and I will place your item on
our agenda and provide a response after the meeting.
Paul Grimaldi
Wednesday 17th February 2010 (start 8:15 PM)
Type of event: Theatre
Organiser: George Fuller
Location: Dalston
Title: Knives in Hens play
Hi everybody, I'm going this play, anyone is invited to join me - (I'll be
hanging around the foyer).
KNIVES IN HENS.
23-27 Arcola Street E8, Wednesday 17th February 8.15 pm.
Arcola Theatre box office number:020-7503-1646
Nearest station Dalston Kingdland (overground).
FROM GUARDIAN REVIEW:
'David Harrower's extraordinary and unsettling play
...a nameless young peasant woman who through a simple yet revolutionary
act of writing her own name in pen and ink, is liberated from daily
existence and comes to understand the imagination has no limits.
moves from the rural to the urban and industrial. It's a thriller with an
old-fashioned love triangle at it's heart...liberating possibilities of
language...
Arcola's studio space, deep in the dark bowels of the building, creats
exactly the right claustrophobic atmosphere ...
George Fuller