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The Corporation's Newsletter and diary of Guided Walks and Events around their local open spaces, including Riddlesdown, may be viewed by clicking on the link above.

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The following is from the Riddlesdown Recorder October 2011:

CANTILENA SINGERS

Cantilena Singers is a friendly, local, ladies choir. 2010 / 2011 has been a successful year which has included several performances including our annual fund-raising concert in July when friends and supporters gathered to hear the choir perform a programme of songs and light music. This year the choir chose to support Demelza Hospice Care for Children and the Mouth Cancer Foundation.

In our weekly rehearsals we have fun and improve our technique with clear guidance from our musical director, ably assisted by our pianist. We are helped with relaxation and vocal exercises and are coaxed gently through passages with tricky tuning or timing.

Cantilena Singers welcomes new members. We meet on Wednesdays at 7.30 pm in the Small Hall, Methodist Church, Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead (403 bus route). The new term starts on 14 September 2010 when we will begin to prepare for our Christmas concerts. For more information please ring Jill on 07957 627783.

PURLEY & RIDDLESDOWN AFTERNOON TOWNSWOMEN GUILD

We have just celebrated our 21 years but of course prior to that there were Guilds at Riddlesdown known as Purley Riddlesdown for many years. In 1990 Purley (Evening), based in Purley, merged with the Afternoon and we came known as the above, still meeting at St Edmund’s Church Hall, Mitchley Avenue on the first Tuesday of the month.

Today we are still an active Guild with the Walking Section completing their 200th walk recently, many in very muddy conditions, and only rarely have they had to cancel due to snow and ice. They always manage to find a cosy country pub for lunch half way. Our knitters have made a variety of gaily coloured blankets for knee covering in hospices and now smaller items of children's clothing to be sent to charities at home. Over a cup of tea each month they set the world to right while busy with the needles. A fairly innovation is the Monthly Lunch where we meet in different venues in the area sampling various types of food. We also enjoy our outings to interesting places. Our speakers recently have been well received and many questions are raised at the end.

On the serious side we discuss issues of the day as directed by our Headquarters. The current one is the abolition of cheques which is of great concern and at the recent AGM in Birmingham our delegate heard the head of the Pay Policy Commission give us his assurance that it won’t happen at least until 2016. Since then, of course, the latest news is that the whole idea has been abandoned. The Townswomen petition was the largest sent in - get involved and make it happen.

We enjoy our Christmas and Birthday parties and get together with other Guilds in the area for meetings. In July we were represented at the Purley Festival where we had a stand to promote the organisation, and hoped it would stimulate interest. As our National Chairman always stresses, we do serious but also have FUN. If interested please contact Kay Williams 8668 3719 or email- prtg1990G hotmail.co.uk

SANDERSTEAD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Our society was formed in 1941 at the height of the “Dig for Victory” campaign to promote self sufficiency and interest in gardening. I like to think we are still following in the footsteps of our founders. During the winter we have a series of lectures on horticultural themes commencing at 8pm (7.30pm 10 November) in the hall of All Saints Church, Onslow Gardens.

13 October Plants for Chalk

10 November Gardener’s Friends beneficial insects

9 February Photography in the Garden

8 March Gardens I have worked in

12 April Natural History of the North Downs

The talks are free to all, but if you would like to become a member of the Society for just £6 a year, and receive a generous discount at Knights Garden Centres, contact Valerie Burley 8651 5837.

Colin Jones, Chairman

THE RSPB CROYDON LOCAL GROUP

Monthly Illustrated Wildlife Talks in South Croydon. Old Whitgiftian Association Clubhouse, Croham Manor Road -off Croham Road. South Croydon, CR2 7BG. Second Monday of each month 2pm and again at 8pm. Admission £3.50. Everyone is welcome, not just RSPB members. Free refreshments. A selection of RSPB goods, nuts and seeds are on sale. Parking limited on site but free in adjacent road (no meters).

MONDAY OCT. 10: Ancient Woodlands Andrew Cleave is resident warden at Bramley Frith near Basingstoke, 27 hectares of ancient, mixed woodland.

SATURDAY OCT. 29: The RSPB Croydon Group’s Autumn Fair will be held at All Saints‟ Parish Church, Sanderstead, starting at 10am.

MONDAY NOV. 14: Raptorphilia Keith Offord will help us with raptor identification in forest, open country and raised bog.

MONDAY DEC. 12: John Buckingham is a regular lecturer on the RSPB circuit and will bring us his talk on The Wonders of Bird Migration.

MONDAY JAN. 9: Our Changing Wildlife Chris Ward will discuss the changing population of British wildlife. Which British species are changing and why?

MONDAY FEB. 13: Beauty of the Swiss Alps Glenda Law will show us the outstanding scenery, flowers, animals and birds of the Alps.

MONDAY MAR. 12:

Striking, Impressive and Spectacular Seabirds Steve Magennis provides an insight into the world of some of our remarkable seabirds.

MONDAY APR. 2: Flora and Fauna of South East England Brian Gallop shows us the birds, butterflies, flowers and fungi in this part of the country.

For more information contact John Davis 8640 4578 or see

www.croydon-rspb.org.uk

CROYDON OPEN GROUP

Now that the holiday season is over, and you are less likely to be spending your evenings outdoors, you might enjoy sharing an interest in books and/or music with a small group of like-minded people. Why not consider giving Croydon Open Group a try - we meet for a couple of hours each week on a weekday evening.

The material for our meetings comes mainly from books or music, the subject for the evening being planned in advance and contributed by the members, who bring a couple of short extracts from books, music, or something from their own interests or experience to suit the evening’s theme. Even if you don’t know anything at all about the subject you may be able to find something to bring, no matter how inconsequential it seems. As a result of this, and by hearing other members‟ contributions, you may learn things you didn’t know, or discover something of interest that you might like to find out more about.

We are a friendly and informal group and we are hoping you might be attracted by the prospect of spending an enlightening and enjoyable evening in pleasant and comfortable surroundings. As the annual subscription only has to cover administration costs it is low, but there is a small charge for the tea or coffee and biscuits provided at each meeting.

We would welcome new members of any age so why not come along for a „taster‟ session where you wouldn't need to bring a contribution?

If you want more details about the group please ring me, Anne Slatford, on 8660 4378

WHO PLAYS TENNIS AT PURLEY BURY…

Friendly, calm, funny people, and all shapes and sizes. Lobbers, drop shotters, baseliners. Men play doubles Thursday mornings. Ladies play doubles Wednesday mornings. Juniors play Fridays, from 4pm, and, soon as good enough, in adult tennis. Students play when they‟re not studying (special sub!). Couples play, with their children. Club play is Sunday mornings, Monday and Thursday evenings – made-up games at other times.

The competitive play in club tournaments, League matches and friendlies.

The less competitive enjoy the bar, and quiz nights. (Social membership only £18. Bargain!). „Improvers‟ play, with one free group coaching lesson included (sub £55). Tots from 4 years of age play min-tennis. Kids love the coaching games, and play after school and in the holidays. Teenagers play singles. People who work find time to play, and sixty- and seventy-year-olds. No one over eighty yet – but coming soon! The club provides balls. Why don‟t you play? Go on, why don’t you play? Ring 020 8668 5250 or go to www.purleyburytennisclub.net

ST EDMUND’S CARING GROUP

St Edmund’s Caring Group outing this summer was a lunch for seventeen at the Rubbing House on Epsom Downs. The restaurant is adjacent to the Queen’s grandstand on Epsom race course. The views across the course are extensive, particularly if you catch the horses out on the gallop, we were lucky enough to have sunny weather allowing us to have coffee outside on arrival.

The food was beautifully cooked and plentiful particularly the desserts, the menu was varied and allowed you to have a smaller portion if required.

The drive out to Epsom took in the Lavender Fields at Carshalton, near Oaks Park and the viewpoint on top of the Downs looking out over London.

If you would like any help with shopping or transport to medical appointments for example or you would like to volunteer your time in helping our neighbours of Riddlesdown, please call Julia Rider on 86516493 or Barbara Towler on 86608653.

TUESDAY TALKS AT PURLEY LIT

The Purley Lit hosts lively, interesting talks on alternate Tuesday evenings from October to March.

This makes an ideal and local evening excursion because the talks are nearby at the Purley United Reformed Church Hall, 906 Brighton Road, easily reachable by bus, and with nearby car parking. Starting at 8pm, they always end by at least 9.30pm, after questions. And you can arrive a bit early for coffee, tea and biscuits.

To join as a member this coming season ring Margaret Hall, 8668 1764. The sub is still only £21 (for eleven talks). Or try us out and come as a visitor, paying £5 at the door. Details about the Society on www.purley-literary-society.com

The programme for this year is:

11 Oct: Life on a Harp String

Margaret Watson plays, and talks about her life as a harpist. Amusing musical diversion.

25 Oct: Inviting the World to London: from the Great Exhibition to the 2012 Olympics Ian Gibson, London‟s youngest Blue Badge Guide, talks about the 2012 Olympics and the history of events leading up to it. Knowledgeable update.

8 Nov: All You Need to Know about Chickens Jane Furnival, Queen of Thrift and author of Dumb-bells, Earplugs and Hair Restorer, comes to town. Funny and uplifting.

22 Nov: Fun with Words

Geraldine Horne, actress, broadcaster, teacher, lecturer and examiner entertains with a mixture of monologues, poetry and prose. A lexical delight.

6 Dec: Seasonal Songs Barry Stevens returns to serenade us with Christmas songs and hits from the shows. Relaxing nostalgia with drinks and nibbles.

For your 2012 diary:

10 Jan: The Rise and Rise of Social Media Our youngest speaker, Jonny Rose, with topical insights. Find out what you‟re missing!

24 Jan: A View of India

John and Bobbie Wilson – enjoy the warmth and eccentricity of North India and its people.

7 Feb: All about Woods

Jim Clemens and Renee Bull, who bought a wood, talk about it and show their film, A Year in the Woods.

21 Feb: Kidnapped in Paradise

Tom Hart-Dyke, the plant hunter who survived kidnap in a Panamanian jungle to create the World Garden at Lullingstone Castle. Amazing.

6 Mar: William Morris and his Red House Sally Roberson with a magicalevening for Arts and Crafts lovers. Wonderful pictures.

20 Mar: Who Do You Think You Are?

(The Dark Side of Genealogy) Dan Waddell on the TV programme, genealogy and crime novel writing. Sinister.