54
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
The party also noted the former Almshouses on the way to the church-
yard gate: these are now four cottages, and, with the village hall next to
them, form a most picturesque thatch-roofed group. Together with the
"Old House" nearby, the residence of the late Miss Ffytche, who died a
few months since, all these delightful old houses have been left, by Miss
Ffytche's will, to the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, so
that they may be safe from spoliation.
The "Old House" itself is a charming old-world residence, once an inn
and a village store, dating in its oldest part from circa 1600, though mainly
of late 17th century date: the house is full of interesting panelling, mantel-
pieces and other fittings, which have been added from time to time: the
staircase is exceptionally fine.
Lunch was taken in the Vicarage garden.
From Clavering the vehicles conveyed the party by way of Rickling
to Quendon ; and here most of the visitors entered upon a nature-ramble
through Quendon Woods and across fields to the Widdington Road, where
the vehicles were regained.
At Widdington itself a visit was first paid to a noble barn belonging to
Priors Hall, an originally moated house, part of the moat surviving as a
duckpond. The huge Tythe Barn, one of the largest in the county, and
the name of the stone built hall, suggest a former ecclesiastical ownership,
but nothing seems to be known of such.
At Widdington Church the rector, Mr. Court, who has been incumbent
for the past fifty years, welcomed the visitors. Several of the original
Norman windows remain and an Early English window in the south wall
of the chancel, with characteristic dogs-tooth ornament, is noteworthy.
The west tower was rebuilt after a collapse in 1771. The oak chancel-
screen is modern, of simple character, and is entirely the work of local
amateurs.
The party next visited Mole Hall, in Widdington parish, a veritable
''moated grange,'' the wide moat spanned by a charming brick bridge of
three arches.
The Hall was kindly thrown open for inspection, and it and the moat-
bordered garden at rear were appreciatively examined by the visitors.
Another drive brought the party to Henham-on-the-Hill, where again
the church was the first object of interest, the vicar welcoming us and
Mrs. Hatley calling attention to the salient features. The church presents
a picturesque appearance, but unhappily this is in some measure due to
its decayed stonework and its need of considerable repair or restoration;
it dates mainly from the very beginning of the 14th century.
Proceeding to Elsenham, tea was taken in the Village Hall, following
which a formal meeting of the Club was held, with Mr. C. Hall Crouch
presiding, when two nominations for membership were read and hearty
thanks were voted to Mr. and Mrs. Hatley, who had organised the entire
day's programme so successfully.
After tea Elsenham Church was visited. Much Norman work is in
evidence here, the south door, with its tympanum of sunk-star ornaments,
the large chancel arch with the sunk-star and zigzag mouldings, the
hagioscope to north of the arch, the beautiful double piscina of Early English
date, with dog-tooth ornamentation, and the two "low-side" windows