Newsletter - 24th May 2026

Photo of the Week

Each week we will post an image taken by one of our walkers of a scene they spotted on a walk. Generally these images should not include photos of any walkers. Please send any images to info@cpcw.co.nz noting photo of the week in the subject line.

This week’s image was taken by Keith Thomas a couple of weeks ago on a Friday walk. A panoramic view taken from the Mt Victoria lookout on a grand Wellington day.

A Word from...

Our spell of fine, and sometimes calm, late autumn weather continues and, once again, all our walks went ahead this week. On Wednesday we were in Linden, on Thursday in Churton Park and on Friday at Otaihanga and Waikanae.

If you are used to skimming the newsletter rather than reading it in detail please don’t miss the notice below about the collection this week for the Wellington Free Ambulance. I know that many of our members like to ‘move with the times’ and that some have embraced the cashless society. If this is you there is no need to fret as Keith assures me he can sort out donations made directly to the CPCW bank account.

David Pegram, Convenor

Gold Coin Donation

This is a preliminary notice advising of our intention to hold a collection to raise funds for Wellington Free Ambulance:

When: Wednesday May 27th

Why: Wellington Free Ambulance provides residents of greater Wellington with an ambulance service which is completely free. It is partially funded by government and ACC, but it is still very much dependent upon donations from the public.

We have needed the services of Wellington Free on occasions during our walks and those walkers who have been assisted are always very complimentary about the service provided. We ask that you consider participating in our Gold Coin Donation. Of course, we are more than happy to accept paper money as well!! Walkers on Thursday and Friday can choose to donate through Christine (Thursday) or one of the committee (Friday).

If you have joined the ranks of the cashless, then feel free to make your donation by direct credit to the CPCW account:

A/C Name: Churton Park Community Walkers.

A/C Number: 02-0524-0233091-00.

Reference: WFA

CPCW does not ask for subs from our members. The costs of running the group are met from sponsorship and from the limited fund-raising we undertake through raffles at our anniversary dinner. Thank you for considering this very worthwhile way of showing your appreciation of both the walking group and our great ambulance service.

Walk Details for Wednesday May 27th

This Week’s Walks: We are keeping with the Walking Schedule which means that we will be walking in Newlands this coming Wednesday. We are intending to have a future walk along Te Ara Tupua (new walking and cycle track along the foreshore between Wellington and Petone), but will need to complete the planning and also keep an eye on the weather so we can walk the track in reasonably pleasant conditions.

The Newlands walks will start from the designated starting point (at the parking in Ladbroke Drive) at 9:20am.

PP: A 3.54km loop walk around the streets of Woodridge. The walk is a mixture of ups and downs, but no seriously steep streets. There is a very short section of gravelled pathway, but it should not cause problems. You can see the planned walk here.

SS: A 5.79km loop. The walk is generally on streets, but there are two short sections on gravelled pathways. Again, the walk is a mixture of ups and downs. You can see the walk here.

FF: An 7.5km loop. Over half the walk is on bush tracks, the other half on streets. There are minor hills and, therefore, rises. You can see the walk on Mapometer here and on Plotaroute here.

Parking: There is plenty of roadside parking along Ladbroke Drive. Take a park anywhere along Ladbroke Drive starting from the corner.

Coffee: We will tell Simmer that a number of us will be calling for coffee and, perhaps, a snack. There is also Thyme on the way back to Churton Park.

Happy walking.

Russell Paterson

Walk Schedules: You can look at the walk schedule for May 2026 here.

Reminder: Please ensure that you inform your group’s leader if you leave a walk partway through.

Cancellations: If the walks are cancelled an email will be sent out as early as possible but definitely before 8:00am.

FIFA World Cup

We have more than enough numbers for the World Cup Competition to run, but there is still plenty of time to enter so keep the entries coming in. Random selection is by far the most common entry form, although a couple of “experts” have waded through all 72 games and think they have the answers. We even have an entrant using AI! You can find out more about the competition and how easy it is to enter below.

The first competition will involve predicting the results and scores of the 72 games in the first round of the World Cup tournament. Points will be collected for correct results. The entrants who get the most points will share a prize pool as follows:

First place 50%

Second place 30%

Third place 20%

Entering is really easy – you can choose one of three ways to enter depending on how much involvement you would like:

I know nothing about football so let the computer pick my results. (You will probably do as well as anyone who picks the results themselves!) All you need do is supply us your name. Click here to enter.

I am interested in how New Zealand do and would like to pick their results only with the computer picking all other results. Click here to enter using this method

I think I’m an expert and have the time and will pick some or all the results myself. More details on how this option works here.

Cost to enter is $10 payable to 02-0524-0233091-00. A/C Name: Churton Park Community Walkers.

If this competition is not for you, watch for the sweepstake we will run in late June when the 32 teams that will emerge to the knockout phase of the tournament are known.

Any questions please contact either Russell Paterson (russellpaterson@icloud.com) or Keith Thomas (keith@yarnbrook.com).

Calendar of Events

Wednesday 27th May	Gold Coin Donation for Wellington Free Ambulance
Wednesday 27th May	Wednesday Walks Click here for details.
Friday 5th June at 5.00pm	Friday Drinks @ Johnsonville Club
Saturday 25th July	Anniversary Dinner @ Johnsonville Bowling Club Click here for details.
November	CPCW “Away Walks” Whangārei

CPCW Photos

Walking for the Week of May 18th 2026:

Wednesday’s teams headed off into the Wilf Mexted Reserve in Tawa for their various walks; Thursday’s team stayed local in Churton Park; and the Friday groups headed out on the Kāpiti Coast. The early and late groups headed out from the Barry Hadfield Nikau Reserve in Paraparaumu and along the hills to Paraparaumu, through the streets and then back on a walk led by Jane. Alison’s Free Rangers walked the length of the Waikanae River and back.

Please try and remember to take a group photo and send it to info@cpcw.co.nz