Public talks

We meet approximately every two weeks for talks on astronomy and related topics. These talks are open to the public - no need to book.

Our meetings are in the small hall, Shirley Methodist Church, Eldon Avenue, CR0 8SD and will be held on the first and third Friday of each month. Our meetings will run, as now, from 7:30 – 9:30.

Shirley Methodist is within walking distance of Trinity School and is easily accessible by bus from East Croydon. There is parking on site but, if it is full, there is ample parking on nearby roads.

Programme

The dates for the rest of 2026 will be the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month:

We will meet on September 4th & 18th,

October 3rd (note we can not meet on 16th), November 6th & 20th, December 4th & 18th.

September 4th.

This evening we will be hearing from our own Graham Cluer on the activity of the Perseid meteor shower using his own unusual set up. This will be followed by Tony Roberts telling us about the forthcoming apparition of Saturn as well as other astronomical happenings in the coming season.

After the break Konrad Malin-Smith will be talking on "Stars in the Cosmic Ladder"

September 18th.

This evening is Eclipse Night but this time it is reports of the Total Solar eclipse from our many members that were in the line of totality.

We start with a little history of important eclipses over time, then we have the individual reports and ending with a discussion on the best places to go to see for the next eclipse in August 2027.

Location

The church is between Wickham Road and Eldon Avenue, but the entrance is in Eldon Avenue.

If driving from West Wickham turn right down Shirley Avenue then first left to Eldon Avenue.
If driving from Croydon or London Eldon Avenue is a turning on the left off the dual carridgeway.
If driving from New Addington go right at the roundabout into Wickham Road, then left into Shirley Avenue then left into Eldon Avenue..

There is a small parking area in the church grounds, otherwise park on the local roads (Barnfield Avenue, Eldon Avenue or Shirley Avenue for example).

These buses stop close by and all of them connect with East Croydon Railway Station and tram stop.

119: Croydon Airport to Bromley Catch the bus at stop E1

194: West Croydon to Lower Sydenham Catch the bus at stop E1

198: Shrublands to Thornton Heath Catch the bus at stop E1

466: Caterham-on-the-Hill to Addington Village Catch the bus at stop E3

If coming from East Croydon get off at Valley Walk. This stop is on the dual carriageway. Walk up the slight hill, left into Eldon Avenue, and the church entrance is on the right.

(Note that to go back to East Croydon you will need to go to stop M (named Upper Shirley Road) in Wickham Road and catch the 119, 194 or 198 )