PROGRAMME 2024
Our programme is prepared 3 months in advance so is subject to additions and changes. Watch for updates here for more details. Events headed FYI (FOR YOUR INFORMATION) have been recommended by an EFOG member but no-one is formally co-ordinating the activity. If interested you will need to make your own arrangements and/or chat with others about doing something together.
An asterisk * marks an event which needs to be booked in advance. Please book asap. Those coming up in in future months are listed at the bottom of this page.
If any member wishes to lead (or suggest) an event on a free date, please contact Peter or Maz first to check that the date is still free. Members can find contact details for those organising events on their paper programme and will also be sent updates via EFOG member e-mails.
The majority of events are open to non-members who may be interested in joining EFOG. To find out if our programme suits you, you are welcome to come along for a free trial period. The annual fee is £35. This helps us to cover the cost of hiring the hall where we meet almost every Thursdays of the year at 8.00 p.m.
If you would like more information please use the contact facility on this website or contact Peter (01992 573638 or 07960 205921) or Ken (020 8524 3960). To find out if our programme suits you, you are welcome to come along for a free trial period.
Updates & Notices
Sunday 1st December - walk is cancelled
Saturday 7th December - Visit to the RSPB reserve at Rainham Marshes.
Sunday 8th December - walk is cancelled
(an asterisk * indicates that pre-booking is necessary)
December
Sunday 1st WALK Richmond Park to Kew. Pam CANCELLED
Thursday 5th THE DODGY JAMMERS BAND. Dave
Saturday 7th Visit to the RSPB reserve at Rainham Marshes. With the two walks scheduled for Sunday 1st and 8th December both having unfortunately been cancelled, we have decide visit the RSPB reserve at Rainham Marshes. Meet at the visitor centre at 10.45. If you're going by car simply drive there, but if you're going by train I'm intending to catch the 10.23 C2C Service from Barking, which gets us to Purfleet station at 10.36 and it's about a 10 minute walk from there, so we'll be a minute late (I'm sure they'll wait). Purfleet is covered by Oyster pay as you go, but if you get free travel in London you might want to just get an extension from Rainham, BEFORE you get on the train.
We'll have a wander around the reserve, visiting some of the hides, trying not to be as noisy as we were at Rye Meads, for these that remember, and finish up at the visitor centre cafe at the end.
Admission is free, but if you come by car it's £5 to park, although free to RSPB members. Bring warm clothing as it's right by the Thames, and pretty exposed so can be chilly. It is mainly on paths so decent trainers should be ok.
Sunday 8th WALK. Primrose Hill. Claire CANCELLED
Thursday 12th CHRISTMAS MEAL. Toby Carvery at Buckhurst Hill. 7.00. Jill S. will take bookings *
Monday 16th NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM GARDEN. Jill S.
Thursday 19th CHRISTMAS PARTY. Bring food, drink, & happiness.
Saturday 21st POTTED PANTO at Wilton’s Hall. Louise *
Wednesday 25th Happy Christmas everyone.
Thursday 26th CLOSED
2025
January
Wednesday 1st NEW YEAR’S DAY WALK. Loughton Station. 10.30. Parviz
Thursday 2nd BRING AND BUY AUCTION. Ian
Sunday 5th TREVOR’S BIRTHDAY PARTY WALK.
Thursday 9th PROGRAMME PLANNING, & BRING FOOD AND DRINK. We need more pre-planning please. Contact JILL S. or PETER with your ideas
Sunday 12th CYCLING. Epping Forest. Parviz
Thursday 16th AGM.
Saturday 18th WALK. Hampstead Heath. Richard
Thursday 23rd BURN’S NIGHT. Scottish themed evening. Bring food and drink.
Saturday 25th CRYSTAL PALACE DINOSAURS & HORNIMAN MUSEUM. Richard
Thursday 30th WIPEOUT GAME. Trevor
FUTURE EVENTS - Future events suggested or planned
Saturday 2nd November. QUIZ At the Scout hall in Snaresbrook, from 7 p.m to 10 p.m.starting at 7.30 p.m. 8 people per team and it costs just £8 per person. Bring your own food and drinks, and there will be a raffle with prizes. Trevor
( * indicates booking is required )
Future events suggested or planned
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Past Months
January 2024
Monday 1st NEW YEAR’S DAY RIVERSIDE WALK. Meet at 11am on London Bridge overlooking Southwark Cathedral, opposite the main line station. The South side of the River Thames has a very old and salacious history. It was notorious for its riverside taverns and brothels and also the centre for cruel animal sports such as bear baiting & cockfighting. All these things took place outside of the City of London, thereby not bound by law and order. On our way, we pass an ancient palace, a prison, Shakespeare's own playhouses which added to the areas poor reputation, a prostitutes’ graveyard and the last surviving coaching inn in London. Eleanor
Thursday 4th BRING AND BUY AUCTION.
Sunday 7th WALK. Meeting at Wanstead station 10.45 a.m. leaving at 10.50. A circular walk, first going to the Scout hut, meeting there at 11 and leaving at 11.05 (so choice of start points). From there we'll head across Wanstead flats, through Wanstead park via a stop at the tea-hut, and then return to Wanstead station. Trevor
Tuesday 9th GHOST WALK. Liverpool Street Station. Kathy & Brian Cancelled due to tube strike.
Thursday 11th 60TH BIRTHDAY PARTY. Bring food, drink. Louise & Trevor
Saturday 13th WALK in Trent Country Park, Enfield. Meet outside Cockfosters Tube Station at 10.30am. It will be approximately 6 miles. There is a cafe for refreshments. Eileen
Tuesday 16th GHOST WALK. Liverpool Street Station at 2.30. Kathy & Brian (reprogrammed from 9th January)
Thursday 18th PROGRAMME PLANNING. We need more pre-planning please. Contact JILL or PETER with your ideas
Sunday 21st TEN-PIN BOWLING. Fred Postponed
Thursday 25th AGM. Eileen
Sunday 28th WALK. Wimbledon to Richmond Meet outside Wimbledon Station (Tennis exit) at 10.45. This is Walk 11 of The Green London Way, a continuation of the series of walks between 2014 and 2016, and which had to be discontinued after reaching Wimbledon on 25th July 2016. (See Here) The walk is about 5-6 miles, along a mixture of paths, some probably muddy and wet, but not too bad on the dummy run. We will finish at Robin Hood Gate (Richmond Park) and catch the bus to return via Putney Station. I don't think this walk will be very pleasant if it is raining badly, in which case I am likely to postpone it. Pam
February
Thursday 1st GAME: PICTIONARY. Parviz
Sunday 4th COPPED HALL SNOWDROPS DAY. Brian
Thursday 8th BADMINTON & TABLE TENNIS. Jill V.
Thursday 15th GAME: CHARADES. Kathy & Brian
Saturday 17th NEW REDBRIDGE WIND ORCHESTRA. St. Mary’s Church, Loughton. Peter B.
or QUIZ IN AID OF AGE UK. St. Edmunds Church, Chingford Mount. Ken
Sunday 18th WALK. A Thames-side walk, meeting 10.30am at Hammersmith Tube station on the Piccadilly & District Line. Eileen
Thursday 22nd QUIZ. Sue S.
Saturday 24th WALK at FORTY HALL. Meet at Turkey Street Station (London Overground to Cheshunt Line) to start at 11.00 a.m. This is a figure-of-eight walk of about 6miles, around Forty Hall Park and Hilly Fields, Enfield. Trevor
Thursday 29th GAME: WORD TENNIS. Trevor
March
Saturday 2nd WALK AROUND WHITECHAPEL. Meet at 11am outside Whitechapel underground station. Eleanor.
Thursday 7th GAME: CRAZY CUTS. Jill V.
Sunday 10th COPPED HALL WORKING PARTY. Brian
Monday 11th to Thursday 14th CANTERBURY YHA BREAK. Eileen
Thursday 14th SKITTLES. Fred
Saturday 16th QUIZ IN AID OF ST. CLARE HOSPICE. Theydon Bois Village Hall. Sue S.
Sunday 17th THE OAK TRAIL WALK. Meet at 11am at Forest Drive, Theydon Bois, about 100m from the station. The walk will be about 6 miles. Brian.
Thursday 21st GAME: INDOOR VOLLEYBALL. Parviz.
Saturday 23rd QUIZ IN AID OF COPPED HALL. Theydon Bois Village Hall. Brian.
Thursday 28th QUIZ. Val.
Saturday 30th HILLY LONDON WALK. Starting at 11 a.m at Perivale station on the Central Line, meeting at the entrance shortly beforehand. It's about 5 miles in distance, with hills at the start and finish, and the middle bit being mainly along the Grand Union canal on the towpath. Finishing at Northholt station. Trevor
Thursday 4th BOARD GAMES. Dave
Sunday 7th LITERARY WALK AROUND BLOOMSBURY. Jill S.
Thursday 11th GAME: TENABLE. Trevor
Sunday 14th BLUEBELL WALK IN WANSTEAD PARK. Meet at the Warren Road entrance at 11.00. The bluebells will probably be at their best now. It may be muddy in parts. Louise
Thursday 18th PROGRAMME PLANNING. We need more pre-planning please. Jill S. & Peter G.
Sunday 21st BIKE RIDE in Epping Forest, will start at 10.30 at the café by Chingford golf club in Bury Road. We will do a loop Northwards, with a stop at High Beach.
It will be entirely on hard paths so ordinary tyres will be adequate. Brian
Tuesday 23rd GHOST WALK in THE CITY OF LONDON. Meet at 2pm at St Paul’s station. Kathy
Thursday 25th QUIZ. Eileen
Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th CARAVAN WEEKEND IN CLACTON, including FRANKIE VALLI TRIBUTE EVENING. Eileen /Andrea
May
Thursday 2nd QUIZ. Brian
Saturday 4th NORFOLK BROADS boating holiday. Trevor *
Thursday 9th HOCKEY BY NUMBERS. Parviz
Sunday 12th COPPED HALL WORKDAY. 10.00 at the Crown Hill gate. Brian
Tuesday 14th TEN PIN BOWLING at City Limits, Collier Row. 11am. Cost £9.49 for unlimited games (2 games will be enough) plus tea/coffee. Richard
Thursday 16th QUIZ. Val
Saturday 18th 18 PLUS QUIZ NIGHT. Trevor
Thursday 23rd SKITTLES. Fred
Saturday 25th WALK. A linear walk along the Dollis Brook in north London. Meet at High Barnet tube station (end of the Northern Line) at 11 a.m. We'll follow the Brook gently downhill and hopefully end up at Hendon Central Station (also on the Northern line). It's about 6 miles in length, although there are opportunities to leave early if you want, and should take 3 to 4 hours. including lunch break. Bring a packed lunch with you, as there aren't that many facilities on route. It's mainly on footpaths and tracks so good trainers should be ok, and is mainly level ground with a bit of a hill at the end. Trevor
Thursday 30th EVENING WALK - Wanstead Trundle. Starting at the Scout Hut at 7.30, we'll have a look at the Snaresbrook Station patches NEW and hair raising then hop it to the other side of Wanstead to see the bits you haven't seen. All sorts of joys await you there, the Gravel Garden, the Fountain Beds, Ingrid's Isle and the Annex. They all have their stories. And the best bit is that we end up right next to the George, very useful for those suffering from over florification. Marian
Thursday 6th QUIZ. Trevor
Saturday 8th June Epping Forest Walk (rescheduled from 29th June) Start at Loughton Station at 10.30am, finish at Epping Station a 6.5-7miles Linear Walk. Richard
Sunday 9th OPEN GARDEN DAY. Marion
Thursday 13th MUSIC EVENING. Brian & Jill S.
Saturday 15th LITERARY WALK. Around Bloomsbury. Meet outside The Dominion Theatre on Tottenham Court Road at 10am. Exit the tube station via exit 2 or 3.
About 3 miles, and it will take about two hours and we'll finish close to Holborn station. Jill S.
Thursday 20th PICTIONARY. Parviz
Sunday 23rd HILLY WALK. Meet at Romford station at 11 a.m. for a five and a half mile walk finishing at Havering Park from where we'll get a bus back to Romford. The walk goes through a number of parks, on some hard surfaces and forest tracks which may be muddy in places. Either bring your lunch or there's the visitor centre at Bedford's Park which does food and drink.
it should take around 3 hours depending on the length of any stops, and is mostly uphill until the end of the walk, although mainly gentle slopes. Trevor
Thursday 27th BARBECUE & BOULES. 7.30 at hall. Bring food & drink. Peter
Saturday 29th EPPING FOREST WALK. Richard (Rescheduled to Saturday 8th June)
July
Thursday 4th VOLLEYBALL. Parviz
Saturday 6th THE REDBRIDGE OUTDOOR CONCERT, Copped Hall, Epping, 2pm. Bring picnic. Peter B.
Thursday 11th PROGRAMME PLANNING. We need pre-planning please. Jill S. & Peter
Saturday 13th WALK. FINSBURY PARK . Richard
Thursday 18th ROLLING QUIZ. Trevor
Thursday 25th GAMES NIGHT. 7.30 Christchurch Green. Peter
Saturday 27th WALK along the Thames Path from Hampton Court. Meet at Waterloo station by Foyles bookshop at 10.30am. Eileen
August
Thursday 1st JELLY BABY OLYMPICS. Trevor
Sunday 4th WALK. Hilly S.E. London. Meet at Brockley Station (on the Overground line) for the walk starting at 11 a.m. We should end up at Crystal Palace park and station (also on the Overground line), following much of the Green Chain Walk, mainly along paths, although there is a bit that goes through woodland so decent trainers should be okay. The walk is about 6 miles long and will probably take 3 to 4 hours including a lunch stop,so bring lunch, and something to drink with you. There are bail out points along the walk if anyone needs to leave earlier, and there's a cafe at the end of the walk although it's likely to be busy. Trevor
Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th DURHAM VISIT. Marian
Thursday 8th CHEESE AND WINE evening.
Thursday 15th THEMED MUSIC EVENING. The theme is “Gemstones”. Jill & Brian
Saturday 17th WALK. River Lea waterside. A 5.5 to 6 mile linear walk starting from Stratford station on Saturday at 11 a.m. and going to the Walthamstow Wetlands. We'll meet at the ticket gates which lead to the Westfield Centre, for an 11 o'clock start. The walk will follow the river Lea to Lea Bridge Road and then the old water-course. It's mainly on good footpaths so trainers should be ok. It should take about 3 hours, and you might want to bring a lunch although there is a cafe at the wetlands at the end of the walk. Please bring something to drink though as it should be reasonably warm. Trevor
Thursday 22nd QUIZ. Val
Saturday 24th WALK. Hampstead Heath. Leaving at 10 am from Stratford Station Overground platform 1 / 2 to get to Hampstead Heath Station, or meet at 10.30 am outside Hampstead Heath Station.
The walk will be a 4.5 mile stroll around the Heath and a bit of Hampstead. A mix of tarmac and woodland trails but trainers should be fine. There are no cafes en route, though there are some coffee shops near Hampstead Heath Station, so bring a packed lunch. It should take about 3 hours including lunch stop to do the circular walk back to Hampstead Heath Station. . Richard
Thursday 29th MAP READING. Peter
September
Sunday 1st WALK. Epping Forest. Meet at corner of FOREST DRIVE, Theydon Bois - 100 yds from Theydon Bois Station. An approximately 7.5 mile walk. Part of this walk is the 'Oak Trail' via Ivy Chimneys and Bell Common. From Jack's Hill car park we shall take the 'Green Ride' via Goldings Hill to Earls Path. Finishing at Loughton High Road, where there are numerous bus routes and a few minutes walk to Loughton Station. Paul K.
Thursday 5th BOARD GAMES. Bring along your games. Dave
Sunday 8th WALK. Primrose Hill. CANCELLED Claire
Tuesday 10th 10 PIN BOWLING, Collier Row. We will meet there at 11am and play as much as we like for £9.99. including a complimentary tea or coffee. Could you let me know if you are coming. Brian
Thursday 12th COUNT DOWN. Brian
Sunday 15th WANSTEAD FESTIVAL.
Thursday 19th BEETLE DRIVE. Bring your own two dice and a drawing implement (pencil/pen) for the Beetle Drive. Sue C.
Saturday 21st WALK. Hatfield Forest. Meet - Initially - Eagle Lane, Snaresbrook (by car park entrance for The Eagle), at 10am.
We aim to take as few cars as possible and then return to Eagle Lane; long term parking may be easier on Malcolm Way (1st right) for cars we don't need.
Walk will start from the Cafe at Hatfield Forest - CM22 6NE at about 11am. It's about 5 miles partly through woods, where it could be muddy, and partly on the Flitch Way - disused railway. Should take around 2.5 - 3 hours including a lunch stop part way round, so bring sandwiches or buy some from the cafe at the start. Richard
Monday 23rd HIGHGATE CEMETERY. Guided tours are available at 10.30am, midday and 2pm. The tour lasts for 75 minutes and covers the highlights of the West Side, including the Egyptian Avenue, the Circle of Lebanon and the Terrace Catacombs (which can only be visited as part of a guided tour). The cost is £18 (no reduction / concessions) but that includes the entrance fee and you can freely wander around before / after the tour. Please advise, asap, if you are interested and, if so, what time(s) you can do. Jill
Thursday 26th WALKING FOOTBALL. Parviz
Sunday 29th WALK. Richmond Park to Kew Bridge. Pam CANCELLED
October
Thursday 3rd PICTIONARY. Parviz
Saturday 5th WALK. Epping Forest. Meet at Loughton station ready to set off at 10:30am. It will be a circular walk approx. 6 miles through the Forest visiting Connaught Waters before heading through to High Beech for a lunch break (I suggest you bring your own lunch/snack, or you can get something at either of the café’s at High Beech). We will then continue on through the forest back to Loughton station. Sue S.
Thursday 10th PROGRAMME PLANNING. More preplanning please. Peter
Saturday 12th QUIZ. For St. Clare’s Hospice at Theydon Bois village hall. &.30 for 8pm start. Sue S. ∗
Thursday 17th SKITTLES. Peter
Saturday 19th. QUIZ SUPPER AgeUK, at St Edmunds Church Hall, Chingford E4. 7:30 PM Cost £12-00 Includes Buffet Supper. Ken Cancelled This will now take place on 16th November
or RNLI QUIZ. St. John’s, Loughton. Brian Cancelled
Sunday 20th ART FREEZE, The annual Frieze London art fairands a sculpture exhibition in The English Gardens at Regent's Park. It is London's largest free display of outdoor art. For this walk (more of a meander), please meet me at 10.30am, outside Great Portland Street tube station. After you go through the ticket barriers, take the exit that's straight ahead (Marylebone Road). Jill S.
Thursday 24th CHARADES. Eileen
Saturday 26th FISH & CHIPS EVENING WALK, Meet at Copped Hall gate off Crown Hill at 6pm. If you are early or late DO NOT knock at the houses either side of the gate.
Please order your food (see email) using Peter's phone number (club members should have it on printed programme), with money by Thursday 24th. Peter/Brian
Thursday 31st Fancy dress HALLOWEEN NIGHT. Bring scary poems & music. Pam
November
Saturday 2nd EFOG FUND RAISER QUIZ. Trevor
Thursday 7th GAMES NIGHT & SPARKLERS. Bring your games. Dave
Saturday 9th WALK. Epping Forest. Eileen Cancelled
Tuesday12th TEN PIN BOWLING. At Collier Row. Meet at 11 am. The 'Nifty Fifty' option is £10 for unlimited bowling and a free drink. Brian
Thursday 14th QUIZ. Eileen
Saturday 16th AGE UK QUIZ. Ken
Thursday 21st THEMED MUSIC EVENING. “Flowers” Jill & Brian
Saturday 23rd WALK. Along the New River and the River Lee. Start at Broxbourne Station at 11 o'clock. Walking north along the River Lee past Dobbs Weir to Rye House, returning along the New River to Broxbourne. There is a pub at just over the half mark, or if we do the walk in the reverse direction there is both a pub and a cafe at just over half-way. We can decide on the day. Either way it is about 5 miles and pretty level, although it may will be wet and/or muddy in places so walking boots will be needed.
Getting there - Broxbourne is on the Abellio Greater Anglia Line, with direct trains from Tottenham Hale. If youhave a pass which gives you free travel in London you will need to get a ticket/ extension from Enfield Lock to Broxbourne (£5,10 with a senior railcard). I will be coming from Stratford, catching the 10 o'clock train (probably from platform 11) and changing at Enfield Lock to buy my ticket to Broxbourne, and then catching the next train to arrive at Broxbourne at 10.45. The weather forecast looks a bit iffy, so probably worth bringing your waterproofs just in case, and a kite if it's windy. Trevor
Thursday 28th KURLING. Annick
To find out if our programme suits you, you are welcome to come along for a free trial period. The annual fee is £35. This helps us to cover the cost of hiring the hall where we meet almost every Thursdays of the year at 8.00 p.m:
ROVSCO HALL,
72 Hollybush Hill, Snaresbrook, E11 1PE
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