224
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
1810. Circa 1864 there were at Stock two brick (tower) mills and one
of wood."
Photographs were taken of both the interior and the exterior of the
mill. So great was the interest exhibited by members in this mill that the
timetable of the excursion was sadly neglected and a forced march was
necessary to reach the Parish Church of All Saints, Stock, some 1/4 mile
to the south of the village.
The Rev. F. W. Austen, rector of Stock, was awaiting the members
and had prepared a detailed description of his interesting church. Unfor-
tunatelv, owing to the short time available, little more was possible than
a brief examination of the chief points of interest in the body of the
church and an inspection of the fine belfry, the heavy timber work of
which was much admired. The walls of the nave are of dimensions
suggesting late Norman work, but the general fabric is of 14th and 15th
century date. The poppy heads of some bench ends in the N. aisle,
the Twedge monument on the S. wall of the nave and some very well
preserved floor slabs attracted considerable interest.
About twenty minutes was all that could be allowed before the party
left to catch a motor-bus which had been arranged to convey the members
back to Billericay.
With apologies to the rector for so brief a visit, the party proceeded
to the Chantry House, Billericay, where tea was served at 5 o'clock.
The Chantry House was built in the early 16th century, although the
date, 1510, under the N. gable may well have been inscribed in the plaster-
ing far more recently than the year indicated. The original structure,
with its later additions, was examined during and after tea. The 16th
century panelling and 17th century cupboards were of great interest,
the panelling being well preserved, but showing signs of considerable
alterations in places. It will be recalled that the Chantry House was
reported in 1926 to be sold for removal to the United States, but later
information stated that the sale had not been completed ; apparently
this picturesque, if not archaeologically valuable, building is to remain in
Billericay.
After tea a short while was occupied in visiting a barn at the rear of
the Chequers Inn, itself part of a late 15th century building. The barn
is interesting on account of its unusual construction, reminiscent of
Greenstead Church. Split logs set vertically with the rounded sides
outwards form the walls of this structure ; the period of its construction
is not known with certainty, but it is probably of the 16th century. Time
did not permit inspection of the many other ancient buildings in Billericay,
and after informal thanks had been accorded Mr. Harley for his guidance,
the party dispersed at Billericay Railway Station, the majority returning
by the 6.5 p.m. train.
Miss Prince acted as recorder of the botanical observations, and reports
a total of 81 flowering plants noted during the day. Spindle-tree was
seen in flower, also Wild Service Tree. The now widely-distributed
Symphytum peregrinum, Lamium Galeobdolon and the grass Milium
effusum were among the more interesting forms noted.