THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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it were presented to the borough by a munificent citizen, the late Mr.
R. A. Jones, M.B.E., whose remains fittingly rest in the Cloister Garth
by his own desire. The Refectory, Cloister Garth with its beautiful
Transitional Norman door, in which the Norman zigzag ornament is seen
associated with the equally characteristic Early English dogtooth ornament,
the cellars, the Prior's Chamber, and the minstrel's gallery, were in
turn inspected.
Time, unfortunately, permitted only a cursory glance at the natural
history and antiquarian objects exhibited in the Museum, but the visitors
had to content themselves with a resolve to revisit the interesting
building on another occasion of greater leisure.
After recording its thanks to Mr. Pollitt and to Mr. Ninnis for their
services, the party passed through and out of the Park by another exit.
A cross-country ramble to Eastwood followed, lunch being taken in
a stackyard, comfortably seated on the dry straw en route. Various in-
teresting plants were noted during the walk, a profusion of Dewberry
(Rubus caesius) covering the ground over a wide area of a field which
had gone out of cultivation : other finds were Erythraea centaurium,
Hypericum perforatum, Linaria vulgaris, Reseda luteola, Daucus carota,
Scabiosa arvensis, Melilotus arvensis, Pulicaria dysenterica, Bartsia
Odontites, etc.
Arrived at Eastwood, considerable time was spent in an inspection of
the very interesting little church, dedicated to St. Laurence and All Saints,
which contains many points of special interest. The Hon. Secretary gave a
brief account of some of the notable architectural features of the church, call-
ing attention to the original Norman wrought iron hinges and strengthening
bars on the doors, the tub-shaped Norman font with its arcaded sides, the
two-storied priests' chamber at the west end of the north aisle, shut off from
the aisle by an oak screen, the hagioscope, low-side window, etc. The oak
bier, with its inscription, C F 1706, and the brick altar-tomb to Samuel
Purchas in the churchyard, were also inspected with interest. From this
fascinating little church the visitors continued across the fields to Rochford,
where the Hall was first visited, an ascent being made by the spiral oak
newel stair to the upper floors ; the picturesque remains of part of the
original mansion, erected circa 1540 to 1550, "formerly one of the largest
in the county," but now debased for use as barns and outbuildings,
were inspected in detail. The Historical Monuments Commission well
described the Hall as being "of much interest as the wreck of a very
large 16th century mansion."
The nearby Church of St. Andrew was next visited, but presented fewer
points of interest to that of Eastwood ; the noble 15th century brick Tower
was, however, justly admired.
Proceeding into the town, tea was taken at the King's Head Hotel
in the Market Square. At a subsequent meeting of the Club, the
President referred to the recent lamented death of our member, Miss
Isabella Lister, the result of an accident in the Pyrenees, and on his pro-
position, a vote of condolence with the relatives was passed in silence,
the members rising in their places. Thanks were accorded to our conductor
for his careful organisation of a successful excursion.
Some of the party left for town by the 5.33 train, but the majority