NEWS

The SPARTA Astronomy Society has enjoyed a fantastic first summer. Back in January, we were little more than a small group of people with an interest in astronomy and a few ambitious ideas. Fast forward a few months, and we now have our own equipment, have hosted fascinating talks from leading experts, built a packed programme of events, and welcomed a rapidly growing membership. Summer has been particularly busy. We held a series of lunchtime solar observing sessions and spe

The SPARTA History Society is pleased to unveil an outstanding programme of talks and events for the coming months. Covering everything from medieval military orders and Elizabethan culture to witch hunts, German history and even the history of popular music, there is something to appeal to every history enthusiast. Step Into London's Rock and Roll Past The programme begins on Wednesday 16 September with a special Rock'n'Roll London Walking Tour led by acclaimed guide Adam Sc

Looking for a fun way to stay active, meet colleagues and try something new? SPARTA Netball Club is now running regular sessions and welcomes players of all abilities. We play every other Tuesday in the Sports Hall at 2 Marsham Street, offering a relaxed and friendly environment where everyone can get involved, whether you're an experienced player, returning to the sport after a break, or have never picked up a netball before. One of the great things about the sessions is the

The SPARTA Sport and Wellbeing Day returned on 24 July 2026, bringing together colleagues from across the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for a fantastic day of sport, wellbeing and social activity. Held at Imber Court Sports Club near Hampton Court for the second consecutive year, the event once again provided an excellent opportunity for staff, friends and family members to enjoy a wide range of sporting a

A large contingent of runners from across DfT and MHCLG converged on Hyde Park on the afternoon of 16 September to compete in the Civil Service 10km and 5km road races. The event traditionally takes place in the spring at Battersea Park, so competitors were treated not only to a new venue but also to an early autumn edition of the popular race. Hyde Park provided an excellent setting, with warm conditions and a lively atmosphere helping to create an enjoyable afternoon of rac

SPARTA is always looking at ways that we can help staff based in the regions to take part in the activities that we all love. To that end we have once again teamed up the DfE to allow staff from MHCLG and DfT who are based in the regions to attend their Northern Sports Day which is taking place in Bamford near Sheffield. Bamford Recreation Ground If you cannot make the SPARTA Sport and Wellbeing Day on 24th July at Imber Court or are just greedy and want to attend two Sports

The Sparta Golf Society, playing at courses in and around London, is alive a kicking. Its history goes back over 100 years and we still play for many of the original trophies. We welcome colleagues from both the Housing and Transport departments and their agencies. In addition, family members and friends are also welcome to join as associate members. Our 2026 season kicked off at East Berks GC near Crowthorne in late April on a glorious spring day, which attracted a good turn

The History Society has a busy summer of great lectures and tours planned. Here is a brief summary of some of the planned events. Thursday 9th July - The JFK assassination, The Umbrella Man and Other Stories What We Talk About When We Talk About the JFK Assassination with Martin Fitzgerald Online Talk from GMH LG9 1pm This talk is prior to Edinburgh Fringe Fest Yes Really! Microsoft Teams meeting Want to join this event then get in touch with Rober Baker today at Robert.Baker

Join the Civil Service Choir for a luminous evening of choral music exploring light in all its forms – from the first glow of dawn to the radiance of eternity. On the evening of Wednesday the 15th of July, from 6:30pm, the choir will be performing a summer concert titled “Towards the Light” at The Guards’ Chapel, London. The Guards Chapel At the heart of the programme is Ola Gjeilo’s Sunrise Mass, a work of sweeping lyricism and cinematic beauty, charting a journey from sh ad

Are you ready for Sports Day? The SPARTA Sport and Wellbeing Day is almost here and will be taking place on 24th July 2026. For the second year on the trot the event is taking place at the incredible facilities of the Imber Court Sports Club in Thames Ditton near Hampton Court so put the date of Friday 24th July 2026 in your diary now! As usual the event will be taking place in the afternoon starting around 12 noon. We are planning a fantastic day for everyone that attends, a

Superstars on Tour The annual tour by Superstars Cricket Club took place over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend with games against Brettenham Park CC and Milden CC in Suffolk. Day One - The tour began right in the middle of the Suffolk countryside at a ground rather difficult to find - but we did find it near to a private school's massive stately home looking building with hockey pitches and golf holes between the cricket pitch and the school. Brettenham Hall Entrance We be

With the cancellation of the 2026 National Sports Programme by CSSC the Departmental Sports and Recreation Associations from across Government have come together to offer some open competitions. The list of events (see image below) is still in the early stages but those that have links available will be published in our calendar of events on the SPARTA home page. If there are any events that you are interested in taking part in and would like more information then please get

Sinfonia Smith Square The Civil Service Choir welcomed Spring with two marvellous performances at Sinfonia Smith Square. The Chamber Choir featured in the Easter Festival, which is a sublime week of Easter concerts at Sinfonia Smith Square. The Chamber Choir performing at the Easter Festival The Easter Festival brings together some of the finest voices in classical music from across the city and beyond for a week of reflection, renewal, and transcendent beauty. Performing cho

The Sparta Golf Society has a wonderful line up of fixtures playing at courses mainly in and around London. Its history goes back over 100 years and they are still play for many of the original trophies. They welcome colleagues from both the MHCLG and DfT departments, their agencies and related bodies. In addition, family members and friends are also welcome. The wonderful East Berkshire Golf Club Their 2026 season kicked off at East Berkshire Golf Club near Crowthorne on 23r

The St James and Westminster players are the only civil service drama society and have been going for over 70 years!. So far this year we have put on one online production "An Amateur Sleuth's Casebook" which featured all original pieces around the themes of spies, detectives and espionage. We recently launched our you tube channel, the links below will take you to just some of the recent recordings including our productions from 2025 including Twelfth Night performed in Febr

The UK’s annual celebration of cycling takes place starts on 8th June and runs on until 14th June. Why not get involved? Run by Cycling UK for more than 100 years, Bike Week is the UK’s biggest celebration of cycling and a chance to show how cycling can make everyday life better for people and communities across the country. Cycling UK’s mission is to create happier, healthier and greener lives through cycling, and through Bike Week they are inspiring more people to experien

The SPARTA History Society has some incredible talks upcoming. Their talks are online from Great Minster House (GMH) and Leeds if you are able to attend in person then please do as our speakers like an audience. Thursday 30th April - Lost Victorian Interiors - Steven Brindle Online Talk from GMH 5.7 Microsoft Teams meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/38288347787619?p=IqV4HToFMuKeRlttmx Victorian London was the richest city in the world, the centre of British society an

The SPARTA Netball Club has continued to build momentum over the past few weeks, with strong attendance and a great level of engagement across all sessions. The group has welcomed a mix of regular players and newcomers, creating an inclusive friendly and supportive environment for all abilities. Sessions have focused on improving core skills such as game understanding, passing accuracy, and positioning on court, with plenty of opportunity for match play. This has helped to bu

Netball at Sports Day 2025 SPARTA is pleased to announce that the SPARTA Netball Club has relaunched. On Friday 23rd January, they held a netball taster session at the 2 Marsham Street Sports Hall, bringing together 17 colleagues from four different departments. After a quick warm up, they ran a few simple drills before moving into a friendly game, which turned out to be very evenly matched. The group included a mix of complete beginners and regular players, but everyone got

The SPARTA Astronomy Society are pleased to announce that after pre flight checks lasting several months their society was successfully launched with its first meeting at the end of last year. Ideas were gathered and plans for many exciting future missions were discussed and are now being put into motion. If you are interested in space, space flight, astronomy and stargazing but don’t know where to start, come and join the club! Open to everyone we kick off on Friday 13th