THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
243
his fire in the woods wherever his services are wanted. His hut
consists of copse wood poles arranged in a circle inclined to
meet together at the top, with an aperture left for entrance, and
the whole is made rain-proof by covering with turfs. Within is
a couch of dry bracken and room for a fire, and here he lies at
night through the severest weather.
Charcoal is, and always must be, a material widely used, and,
unlike the now extinct potash industry, of which Dr. Laver gave
an account in a former paper, charcoal-burning must always be
carried on in well-wooded districts. Involving as it does the
services of men who, for the practice of their calling, must
possess individual intelligence and physical hardiness, it is to be
hoped that along with the awakening interest in forestry, and
the probable re-afforesting of Essex land that ought never to have
been cleared, it may again develop into a thriving industry.
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB—REPORTS OF
MEETINGS.
VISIT TO COLCHESTER AND THE WIGBOROUGH AND
VIRLEY DISTRICTS.
Monday, April 13TH, 1903.
Colchester, which in the past has been the scene of many pleasant
gatherings of the Club, was on Easter Monday the rendezvous- of yet another
enjoyable meeting, the Club having reverted to the old custom of Bank Holiday
excursions. The weather was fairly bright but keenly cold. The London-side
members travelled down by the train arriving at about half-past ten, and at once
walked up to the new Town Hall, where Councillor Gurney Benham very
kindly conducted the party over the building, and pointed out and described the
many interesting pictures, engravings, and art objects with which it is
decorated.1
Luncheon was taken at the "Cups Hotel," Mr. F. W. Rudler, F.G.S.,
President, in the chair, and at about half-past one the company started in a brake
for Virley, under the leadership of Mr. C. E. Benham and Mr. J. C. Shenstone,
F.L.S., the two members to whom the Club is indebted for the arrangement of
the meeting. A considerable contingent of lady and gentlemen cyclists
accompanied the party, and Dr. H. Laver, F.S.A., joined en route.
Despite a somewhat keen wind, the ride into "Mehalah-land" proved
interesting. As the carriage rattled along, the occupants were afforded pretty
views of the surrounding country, and over the brow of the hill past Wigborough
there came into sight the dreary stretch of marsh-land, which showed that the
1 See Colchester's New Town Hall and Municipal Buildings. By Wilson Marriage and
W. Gurney Benham. 2nd edition. Colchester 1900.