THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
301
perhaps a trifle too ardent as the afternoon wore on, some fifty members
and friends spent a most delightful day in this charming district of mid-
Essex, under the capable leadership of Mr. John Salmon.
The main party travelled by private motor coaches, other members
in their own cars, assembling at Leighs Priory at 11.15 o'clock. On
arrival, the visitors were welcomed by the Rev. W. Moffatt and were
favoured by him with an interesting resume of the history of the property,
from the days of the Augustinian priory of pre-Dissolution times, its
destruction by Lord Chancellor Rich and the usurpation of its site by
his gigantic mansion, the demolition of most of the latter in its turn
in 1750, and the subsequent changes of ownership down to the present time.
The elaborate restoration and refitting of the great Gateway to the inner
courtyard by Mr. Montague Hughes-Hughes during the years 1909
to 1914 were appreciatively inspected by the party, and the extensive
view from the roof was enjoyed. After a general tour of the premises
and grounds, lunch was taken in the latter by permission of our host
and leaves taken shortly after, the party next proceeding to Great Leighs
church, dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin, where the rector, the Rev. H. D.
Lockett, received the visitors at 1.30 o'clock. Mr. Lockett is well versed
in the architectural history of his church, and his informative remarks,
made during a personally conducted tour of the edifice, were much
appreciated by his audience. The fine Decorated east window, the low
side window and priest's door, a couple of scratch-dials on one of the
buttresses to the south wall, and the possibly Saxon date of the lower
stage of the W. Tower (one of the few circular flint Towers of Essex),
where an original flat buttress is seen cut through by the insertion of a
later, though Norman, W. doorway, were in turn discussed and explained
by the rector, whose keen interest in the subject is evident.
After Mr. Lockett had been thanked by the Hon. Secretary on behalf
of the party, leaves were taken and the visitors entered upon a cross-
country walk to Terling by private field-paths and woodlands, permission
to traverse which had been specially given by the Rayleigh estate.
Arrived at Flack's Green, the smock-mill (one of the few still working
by wind) was inspected, many of the party climbing to the topmost
storey of the mill in relays, and being entertained by Mr. Bonner, the
miller, to a description of the various processes involved. A nearby
house. Eyart's Farm, now divided into two cottages, possesses a fine
central stack of clustered chimneys, and also a curious carved wooden
corner-bracket, which was photographed by members of the party. A
"Strike-a-light" and several flint flakes were picked up in a field behind
the mill.
From Flack's Green, the visitors walked by fieldpath to Terling
village, where tea was taken at the Rayleigh Arms Hotel at about 4.45
o'clock. After tea, a short formal meeting of the Club was held, with
Mr. D. J. Scourfield in the chair, when Miss Kate Tier, of 166, Belgrave
Road, Wanstead, E.11, was elected a member, and a cordial vote of
thanks was accorded to Mr. Salmon for his able organisation of the day's
excursion.
In Terling village, a visit was next paid to the Manor House, a
delightfully picturesque, half-timbered 15th century house facing the