CMVC
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Choir walking group
Walkers go back to school
Seven walkers made an early start at 1pm from the White Hart in Chipstead on 29 October as the clocks had gone back the night before. The route led downwards into Chipstead Valley and the Old School House, home of former choir stalwart member Ernest Williams.
Ernest and early walkers outside Schoolhouse
Pub closed, disaster averted
Everything looked perfect as pre-ambling drinkers Martin Perkins and Dave Bannister stepped off the bus at 1.15 in glorious sunshine outside the Yew Tree on Reigate Hill on 1 October. Disaster: the pub was shut and no-one answered its phone. After a brief shot of panic, the intrepid pair replanned and trudged 20 minutes uphill to the Bridge Hotel.
The thirsty Yew Tree ten - refreshed at the Sportsman
There and back in Merstham
Eleven walkers, including debutant Niall McNevin, gathered at the Feathers Merstham on September 3 and set out northwards in glorious sunshine. Following a mile along the A23, with rolling downland paths in prospect, they started their ascent on Shepherd's Hill where the Joliffe Arms pub is being redeveloped. Local Tony Keel reminisced about many a pint being quaffed there, despite a tendency of his drinking buddies to ignore his directions and end up at the homophonic Jolly Farmers.
Striding out near Merstham
The mad dogs....
The choir walkers have made two outings recently, braving the heatwave to clock up more miles in the Kent and Surrey downland. The first, on July 16, began and ended at the Dog and Duck in Outwood, with half-time at the Bell, also in Outwood.
Walkers brave heat in cornfield crossing
Records tumble in mid-summer heat
Local expert Ralph Osborne made a welcome return to the walking group at the Grasshopper Inn near Westerham on 18 June. The brilliant sunny weather brought out a record group of seventeen walkers, including five women, also a record.
Braving the mid-summer heat
Puffing and crayfish
Dave the Navigator and Head of Apres Drinking Martin Perkins were beaten to the Skimmington Castle on Reigate Heath for pre-walk drinks on Friday 30 May by Johns Parker and Marshall – a notable event as this was only the second time these two stalwarts had been bested in three years of walking.
The Reigate eleven