CMVC
History and Heritage
Information
Members
Choir walking group
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
Sun shines on New Year walkers
Once again glorious sunshine greeted the 13 CMVC walkers who gathered at the White Hart Godstone on a chilly New Year morning - 4 January 2019. A gentle climb past Garston Park afforded stunning views of the North Downs in the low angle of the winter sun. After topping the Greensand Ridge the walkers enjoyed the easier going of the south facing slope along the Greensand Way towards Bletchingley.
Twelve of the Godstone walkers (missing: John Marshall)
Walkers get happy
It was a bright and chilly morning as nine walkers gathered around the roaring log fire at The Fox on Coulsdon Common on 14 December. They included debutant walker Paul Binge and Roger Parkinson, staging a late arrival after overcoming his navigational challenges in finding the pub. It proved hard to prise Martin Perkins away from the fire and his pint, but eventually the group prevailed.
The happy nine
Walking with Hope in their hearts
Nine walkers gathered at The Prince of Wales pub near Morden tram stop on Friday 30 November for a linear walk along the Wandle Trail towards Croydon and Carshalton, where the celebrated Hope pub was their ultimate destination. The Prince of Wales barman arrived to open up at 12 noon but had forgotten his keys, so frustrated preamble drinkers had to wait 15 minutes while he cycled home to retrieve them. There was just time to down a preparatory pint before setting off on a gloriously sunny day, in stark contrast to the rain for days before and forecast for days to follow.
The hopeful walkers crossing still waters (photo: John Parker)
Birthday fun in Whyteleafe
Five walkers gathered outside the Radius Arms in Whyteleafe on a drizzly Sunday morning, November 25, and debated how short we could make the walk as the weather seemed to be closing in. Undeterred, the group soldiered on across Whyteleafe Rec and up some steep muddy steps to the top of Riddlesdown close to Warlingham School.
The five (very superior) walkers (photo: John Parker)