152 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
prospect of the Essex side of the wide valley was enjoyed. The corn was
standing high in the fields many of which were coloured bright red with a
wealth of poppies. For some a more unusual sight was corn growing in a
blue haze of cornflowers.
In Nayland the site selected by Mr. Harley was found and a picnic was
enjoyed in brilliant sunshine. Under Mr. Harley's guidance the church,
which is renowned for the altar picture painted by Constable, was visited.
The painting, an unusual work for this artist, depicts the head of Christ.
A delightful backwater of the Stour was next investigated. It proved to
be an exceptionally interesting stretch of water and it was with some difficulty
that the entomologists were persuaded to leave the study of the Dragonflies
which abounded there.
Stoke-by-Nayland was next visited. The size of the church, which domi-
nates the village from the crown of the hill, indicates a prosperous past and
recalls the large churches of the wool towns of Kersey and Dedham. An
impressive feature of Stoke church is the very rich carving of the heavy oak
south doors. Some fine half-timbered houses stand close by.
From Stoke the coach passed through deep lanes reminiscent of Devon-
shire to the top of a steep hill leading to Cherry Tree Farm, the residence of
our Treasurer, which was the chief object of the trip. Here the party was
greeted by Mrs. Harley and was introduced to the farm, the garden and the
ancient house. Particular interest was taken in two playful white kids,
three weeks old. The Cherry Tree Farm way of life seemed a very happy
one on that sunny June day, and the members, most of whom are fated to
spend their lives in town, were most grateful to their hosts for giving them the
opportunity to see how happy a rural life can be.
In these difficult days, with food still rationed, it was very generous of
Mr. and Mrs. Harley to provide a tea which was in the best pre-war tradition
of hospitality and was thoroughly enjoyed in these charming surroundings.
By permission of our hosts a short formal meeting was held after the meal.
A proposal of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Harley for their hospitality was
carried by acclamation.
The following were elected to membership of the Club :—
Mr. Kenneth James Savage, M.A., of 41, Tennyson Avenue, Grays.
Miss L, H. Bowman, of 83, Cambridge Park, Wanstead, E.11.
The following Dragonflies were taken by Mr. Bernard Ward during the
day : Libellula depressa, Agrion splendens, Pyrrhosoma nymphula, and Ischnura
elegans.
A FURTHER VISIT TO THE GRAYS CHALK QUARRIES (891st Meeting)
SUNDAY, JULY 4TH, 1948 
In spite of steady rain, which continued throughout the day, 11 members
met at Grays Thurrock at 11.15 a.m. in order to spend further time in studying
the extensive chalk quarries which had proved so interesting when visited
six weeks before.
Four hours were most pleasurably spent among the great variety of
plants which were in flower and several species of orchis were seen in great
profusion. A picnic lunch was taken in a hut in the quarries, a dessert
being found ready to hand in the ripe wild strawberries which abounded.
The continuous rain prevented detailed investigation of the undergrowth
and reduced the number of birds and insects which could be observed to a
minimum.
Blackbird, Wren and Skylark were heard in song, an immature Robin
came to investigate the party's movements in the manner so characteristic
of its kind and a number of freshly emerged Silver-studded Blue butterflies