CMVC
History and Heritage
Information
Members
Choir walking group
Linear tribute to walking pioneers
The walk on 24 May was linear, requiring some ingenuity from the walkers to make their transport plans. Seven walkers succeeded in reaching the Malt Shovel at Eynsford without difficulty, but six were left stranded at Otford – the walk’s finishing point – when their bus to Eynsford failed to arrive. After resorting to their cars, they arrived at Otford only to see the bus – ten minutes late – drive past the pub.
Following the line of the river in the Darenth Valley
Richmond, blooms and ducks
Twelve choir walkers undertook a delightful outing in Richmond Park on Friday 3 May. The walk, designed and led by walking group veteran Dick Jones, began at the Tide End Cottage pub by Teddington Lock, where the beer cognoscenti raved about the stunningly fresh, hoppy Exeter beer on offer.
Then it was off across the lock, with two bridges leading into the suburban semis that mark the approaches to Richmond Park, London’s largest site of special scientific interest and a European special area of conservation.
The Mandarin ducks of the Isabella Plantation - azaleas reflected behind
A walk on the woolly side
Twelve walkers departed from the Ye Old Ship in Tatsfield on April 5, heading south towards the ridge of the downs and soon finding themselves on open farmland following the North Downs Way with glorious vistas of the Surrey Weald below. After a stretch through dense and overgrown woodland, they emerged on to the narrow but quiet White Lane.
Martin (from Wales) inspects Surrey sheep
There and back in Tandridge
John Parker, Ralph Osborne and Dave the Navigator were having a quiet pre-amble beer in the Barley Mow, Tandridge when they were delighted to be joined by guest walker Scott Wilson. John had known Scott since they were 19 and Scott was previously Head Choirboy at Southwark Cathedral He is of course now under serious pressure from many of us to join our merry band.
Five of the Tandridge walkers - photo Mike Pardon
Warlingham, Whyteleafe and the Wattenden
When Dave the Navigator arrived at the White Lion, Warlingham on 18 February, he found fellow pre-ambling drinker Martin already installed with some of his 2CV club stalwarts enjoying the special Monday beer offer at £2.49 a pint. Soon other walkers arrived, the taller and more experienced of whom remembered to keep their hats on to soften any impact with the low beams of the ancient pub.
Uphill slog to Kenley Common
Pacem for Donna
The Kingswood Arms, the start for the walk on 25 January 2019, is conveniently located next to Kingswood station and four walkers duly arrived by train for an hour's preparatory refreshment. Those arriving by car quickly boosted numbers to 17 although John Marshall, had to withdraw before starting the walk as beer failed to mollify the effects of too much goose fat on his spuds the previous day. Even so the 16 who actually set off, including walk debutant George Taylor, set a new record for any January walk - and only one short of the all-time record of 17, established in June 2018.
Walkers at start of Banstead Heath