September delights and surprises
The walkers went out twice in September. On September 7, on the last walk before the Rule of Six, a group of nine departed the Kingswood Arms and headed northeast beside the railway. After crossing the tracks they followed the path between the mansions of Kingswood to Surrey Downs Golf Club.
Eight of the September 7 nine (photo Banners)
A wooded path led through the Long Plantation and into the glorious open valley behind Shabden Park Farm and the track beside the grazing meadows for sheep and cattle. The group turned right and puffed their way up more open fields before emerging onto Chipstead High Road near Elmore Pond. Then it was flat going behind the pond and through Chipstead Rugby Club to the beer garden of the White Hart.
The return journey started with a welcome descent back to the Chipstead Valley where we were delighted to find former choir member Ernest Williams hanging out his washing in the garden of the Old School House. After catching up on choir news, his garden resounded to songs, with Ernest leading a rendition of "Lily of the Valley".
Lilies of the Valley in Ernest's garden (photo Banners)
The group recrossed the railway and headed over the former Stagbury estate towards Banstead Woods and Perrott's Farm. We paid homage at Bob's Gate , which tenor Bob Mackay had vaulted at the age of 84 (dislodging his glasses in the process) and were soon crossing the disused playing field adjacent to the looming empty hulk of the old Legal and General headquarters. A few minutes later we were back in the Kingswood Arms garden for beers and supper.
On September 21, the Rule of Six stipulated two "unmingled" separate groups which gathered at the Bull Inn on Chelsham Common in glorious equinoxal sunshine before setting off northwards around the site of the old Warlingham Park Hospital. After passing the tiny church of St Mary the Virgin, where the choir had squeezed many years ago to sing at the wedding of former member Dick Diplock's daughter, they continued northwards through Farleigh Court, then down past Addington Court Golf Clubs.
Light and shade at Farleigh
A tricky road section along Featherbed Lane was followed by an ascent though Frylands Wood Scout Camp up to Little Farleigh Court. Dave the Navigator explained that he had replanned the route after discovering the original half-time target of the White Bear was now closed on Mondays, so we turned right towards Farleigh Common and the alternative stop at The Harrow. According to the new rules, beer was delivered to our separate tables in the garden (plus an additional pint of cider to the inevitably extra thirsty George Taylor).
The group welcomed Dave's announcement that the replanned route had resulted in the return journey being only 1.6 miles, although he and local resident Phil Willis kept secret that in fact it could be far less if a direct and less scenic route was taken. In any event, the group was soon back at The Bull on a sunny patio overlooking Chelsham Common tucking into dinner.
The Bull, Chelsham - scene of culture shocks
Peter Gillman informed the group that Chelsham was the childhood home of the painter Victor Passmore, celebrated for his painting of Farleigh Church, but appeared to evince little interest. He also discovered that, quite incredibly, two members of the group had never seen the classic 1940s film The Third Man.