Hazeleigh Church, Essex. From a drawing by
H. A, Cole, September, 1888.
Visit to Maldon and the Blackwater
Estuary, Friday and Saturday, September
14th and 15th, 1888.
Owing to the happy accident of our President,
Mr. Fitch, being this year chosen Mayor of Maldon,
the Club was enabled to visit this ancient town
under peculiarly favourable circumstances, and
the members and friends who were fortunate
enough to be present thoroughly enjoyed the first two-days' excursion held
since the establishment of the Society. Mr. and Mrs. Fitch took the liveliest
interest in all appertaining to the meeting, and to their kindly and thoughtful
arrangements its success was mainly due. The Secretaries and one or two
other members went down to Maldon a few days before the meeting, to
attend to the business details, and to visit the chief places mentioned on the
programme. Mr. Fitch had engaged the yacht "Matilda" (belonging to
Mr. Sargeant), and trips taken in the neat little craft enabled the conductors to
see more of the Blackwater estuary than otherwise would have been possible. A
sojourn in the town also allowed time for Mr. H. A. Cole to make a series of
sketches, some of which are reproduced in the present number, and which he has
kindly presented to the Club.
The main body of members reached Maldon on Friday afternoon by the noon
train from London, some joining en route or by road during the evening, and
many came over from Colchester, Chelmsford, etc., early on Saturday morning.
The "head-quarters" were fixed at the "King's Head" Hotel, where the land-
lady, Mrs. Revett, did all in her power for the comfort of her visitors; but owing