RECORD TURN-OUT FOR WALKING GROUP

The Choir walking group undertook its third outing on Tuesday, June 19.  It followed a delightful four-mile linear route from Coulsdon South station to the Fox at Coulsdon Common.

The ascent at Farthing Down

The route was devised by tenor Dick Jones and a record seven members took part.  The weather was ideal, with clouds and sunny intervals.

The route followed part of the London Loop on to Farthing Down, rising to a dramatic viewpoint with the Shard, Canary Wharf and other modern London landmarks visible to the north.  Then it dropped through an avenue of yew trees to Devils Wood Den.

At Chaldon Church the group  paused to inspect the  12th-century wall painting, believed to be the earliest known English wall painting and one of the few examples of mediaeval art to survive the destruction ordered by Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell.  The painting depicts scenes of heaven and hell with Jacob’s Ladder at its centre – prompting the group to render a verse from our current song, Jacob’s Ladder.

Following the steep ascent out of Happy Valley, the group took ample refreshment at the Fox – location of a choir après several years ago.  The seven members who took part were Jon Evans, Pete Smith, Dave Rickard, Peter Gillman, Dick Jones, Jay Rastall and Roger Lee.  Plans are already being laid for the next walk in August.

Crossing meadow en route to Chaldon

The visit to Chaldon church

The record seven