REPORTS OF MEETINGS 91
RAMBLE FROM ABRIDGE TO HAINAULT FOREST (877th Meeting)
SATURDAY, JULY 12TH, 1947
A very small party of Club members, after meeting at Abridge, set off
eastwards along the north bank of the river Roding. This stretch of the
river is a happy hunting ground for the botanist, and many interesting plants
were encountered.
After a picnic lunch in a meadow near Hill's Farm, the Roding was
crossed by the footbridge, and the party made its way through Patch Park
towards Lambourne End. En route a field of red clover in full bloom
interspersed with tall spikes of yellow corn Sowthistle was much admired.
On reaching Bishop's Hall, members were invited into the house to eat their
tea. They were made very welcome, and Colonel Lockwood's kindness in
throwing open his dining-room to the party was very much appreciated.
After tea the walk was continued to Hainault Forest, where it was found
that the fine weather had brought out a large number of butterflies. The
small flowers of marsh pennywort were revealed by careful search, and in
the same small glade the yellow wood pimpernel was found growing very
well. The Recreation Ground at Chigwell Row proved disappointing.
The water-filled ditch which had suited the dragonflies so well last year
had been filled in and harebells were much more scarce. It seems likely
that the building of the new L.C.C. housing estate nearby will mean that
this ground must lose much of its interest for the naturalist.
Over 180 wild flowers were recorded during the excursion, the following
being among the most interesting:—Yellow Waterlily (Nuphar luteum).
Celandine (Chelidonium majus), Water Stitchwort (Stellaria aquatica), Sand-
spurrey (Spergularia rubra), Square-stalked St. John's Wort (Hypericum
quadrangulum), Musk Mallow (Malva moschata), Restharrow (Ononis
spinosa), Slender Vetch (Vicia tetrasperma), Bastard Stone Parsley (Sison
Amomum), Wood Loosestrife (Lysimachia nemorum). Creeping Jenny (Lysi-
machia Nummularia).
VISIT TO FOULNESS ISLAND (878th Meeting)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH, 1947
A party of some thirty members and friends met at Woodford for this
excursion. The journey was made by motor-coach through Chigwell Row,
Brentwood, Billericay and Wickford. The country, since the rains of ten
days before, already showed recovery from the summer's drought. Harvest
had been completed early, stubbles were already ploughed, and the only
crop seen standing in the fields was one of flax. It was in the gardens and
orchards passed en route that the colourful evidence of this season of mellow
fruitfulness was seen. Orchards showed a plentiful crop of brightly coloured
apples, while dahlias and michaelmas daisies were everywhere conspicuous.
By the ancient church of Great Wakering, Messrs. H. R. Tutt, E. J.
Prockter, A. L. Wells, H. D. Sparrow and H. C. Huggins of the South Essex
Natural History Society awaited the party, and during the rest of the day
acted as guides, pointing out all that was most interesting and recounting
many local adventures in which they had taken part in years past.
Foulness Island is now in the occupation of the military authorities, and
an excellent road has been constructed throughout its entire length. Per-
mission had been obtained for the visit, and on entering the occupied area
the party was taken charge of by a police constable who was its watchful
and interested escort during the visit. As the coach travelled along the
miles of straight road leading to the parish church of Foulness, many
reflected how much more difficult would have been the journey in the days