Sunday 29 December. To consider (mostly) buildings older than us! Meet at Croydon Town Hall Clocktower entrance at 14:00. Led by Paul Sowan.
TALK: The biology of Christmas
Monday 2 December, starting 19:45 at the Small Hall, East Croydon United Reformed Church. A seasonal illustrated talk by Jane McLauchlin.
WALK: The Great North Wood
Sunday 1st December. Following the Focus meeting on 30 November on Trees and Woods, a walk through some fragments of the Great North Wood, from Crystal Palace to the Horniman Museum, where there is a café. Meet at 10:00 at the junction of Farquhar Road and Crystal Palace Parade. Led by Jane McLauchlin and Celia Bailey.
FOCUS EVENT: Trees and woods
Saturday 30th November, at the David Sweet Hall East Croydon United Reformed Church starting at 14.30. Our annual Focus Meeting will this year concentrate on Trees and Woods. There will be talks by Aljos Farjon on Ancient Oaks in the English landscape and Sam Bentley-Toon on the Great North Wood Project. As usual tea will be provided, and there will be a chance to pay subscriptions for 2020.
TALK: Vesta Tilley and her world
Monday 25th November, starting at 19:45 in the Small Hall East Croydon United Reformed Church. A talk by Keith Fawkes and Richard Norman. Vesta Tilley was one of the highest paid performers of the Music Hall era and making her reputation as a male impersonator. Her recorded songs and film clips will be used to illustrate her career.
TALK: All About Badgers
Wednesday 13th November, starting 19:45 at the Small Hall, East Croydon United Reformed Church. This talk by Ian Tilbury will cover the natural history of badgers, field signs to look for, their protection and persecution, badgers and people, planning issues, rescue and rehabilitation, with particular reference to the work that East Surrey Badger Protection Society does in releasing orphaned cubs back into the wild.
TALK: The Nostradamus of South Norwood
Monday 28th October. A talk by Stephen Oxford. The predictions of Nostradamus are open to interpretation and much criticism, whilst those of a past South Norwood resident are far clearer and more accurate.
WALK: Autumn Fruits and Fungi in Littleheath Woods
Sunday 27th October. Meet at 10:00 at the bottom of the steps at the end of Queenhill Road TQ349627. Led by Jane McLauchlin and Malcolm Jennings.
TALK: The Isle of Wight: its wildlife and countryside
Monday 7 October, Small Hall East Croydon United Reformed Church starting at 19:45. Malcolm Jennings will talk about the often rare and beautiful flora and fauna of the Isle of Wight, its spectacular marine landscape, and also some of the historic sites on the Island.
TALK: The life and times of Old Palace
Monday 23 September, 19:45 in the Small Hall, East Croydon United Reform Church. A talk by Janice Barter. Croydon Palace is a building of tremendous historical significance hidden in Croydon old town. A medieval manor that was for centuries a residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury, it suffered years of decline from the 18th century before being lovingly renovated to its current position housing a modern, thriving school. We explore its past and reflect on its present.
