WALKERS HIT THE WANDLE TRAIL

The choir's hard-core walkers covered a substantial section of the Wandle Trail on January 20, starting in Mitcham and finishing at the trusty Royal Standard in central Croydon.

The intrepid four beside Wandle near Mitcham. L to r: Dick Jones, Steve Lloyd, Peter Gillman, Roger Lee.

The walk followed the course of the River Wandle for six miles.  It started in Poulter Park and went through Watercress Park, Dale Park, Beddington Park and Waddon Ponds park before hitting Waddon Road and the final stretch to the Standard, where our host Martin Perkins oversaw proceedings.

The walkers agreed that the trail, winding through suburban south London, made an intriguing change from the rural routes the group has customarily followed. Wildlife sightings included mallards, moorhens, Canada geese,  rats and a fox.  The group set a steady pace and reached the Standard two and a half hours after leaving Mitcham tram stop.

Near Carshalton

The trail was opened in 1988 and is a fine example of reclaiming a classic chalk stream from pollution and industrial depredation.  It runs for 12.5 miles in all.

Beddington Park

The four walkers were Roger Lee (baritone), Dick Jones (second tenor), Steve Lloyd and Peter Gillman (basses).  They were joined at the Standard by social member Ted Mouat (second tenor). Plans are already afoot to cover the western section of the trail, from the Thames at Wandsworth to Poulter Park.

Journey's end