273 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
The meeting then adjourned for the purpose of making a detailed in-
spection of the interior and exterior of the building, under the guidance of
Mr. C. Dawson.
VISIT TO THE VANGE MINERAL WELLS (563TH
MEETING).
SATURDAY, 12TH MAY, 1923.
A day of cold sweeping winds and thunder showers, but with many
brilliant sunny intervals, did not deter a small but representative party of
members from making a pilgrimage to Vange for the inspection of the
mineral wells on the Vange Corner estate, the water from which has lately
come into commercial prominence as being of medicinal virtue. Our mem-
bers, Dr. John C. Thresh, M.D., D.Sc., and Mr. W. Whitaker, BA., F.R.S.,
acted as expert conductors to the party.
On arrival at Pitsea station at 10.36 o'clock, the parish church of St.
Michael, picturesquely perched on an isolated, rounded hill of London Clay
and surrounded by tall elms was first visited : the church itself is uninteresting,
being of modern re building except the square ragstone tower, but the extensive
view from it over the surrounding country, and especially southwards over
the marshland and Canvey Island to the Thames estuary and the Kentish
hills, was much enjoyed.
Proceeding to Vange church, which occupies a similar commanding hill-
top site, the visitors were welcomed by the rector, the Rev. St. John Methuen,
who read an account of the ancient fabric, which still retains some Norman
features, including a square Purbeck marble font, and who exhibited the
Registers, going back to 1558.
At the Wells, which were reached soon after 1 o'clock, the owner, Mr.
Edwin Cash, most hospitably welcomed the party to a sandwich-lunch which
he had thoughtfully provided. Dr. Thresh tested various samples of the
water for solid constituents and gave some particulars of the water. He
remarked that sulphated waters are common ; the Vange water, however,
contained in addition to the usual sulphate of lime (which frequently occurred
in Essex waters), sulphates of magnesia, soda and potash which made it
typical of the best class of sulphated waters, and rendered it beneficial as a
mild aperient and also in having a mild effect upon the liver.
Mr. Whitaker briefly described the geological conditions under which
the Vange springs occurred. He referred to the loamy Claygate Beds which
capped the higher ground, through which rain sinks slowly, dissolving in its
passage whatever salts may be present in the soil, until it is arrested or thrown
out by the stiffer beds of the true London Clay beneath.
Mr. Cash gave an account of his first discovery of this sulphated water,
over twenty years ago, and of its recent exploitation for commercial use. He
said that his dream was to establish a poor man's spa at Vange, his principal
object being the good of suffering humanity.
An inspection of two of the six wells was then made by the visitors, and
samples of the water were tasted : the taste was voted to be not unpleasant,
the presence of soda being the most apparent characteristic to the palate and
the water being quite limpid and colourless. The first well sunk was only