REPORTS OK MEETINGS 155
commenced in the 14th century but the work—carried out in squared flints
—ceased before the top of the tower arch was reached and the upper part was
built in timber 100 years later. Little Totham is one of the few churches
possessing registers which date from 1558 when their keeping was ordered by
Cranmer. The registers were shown by the Rector, who pointed out some
of the more interesting entries.
The Rector having been warmly thanked for his good offices, the road
was taken to Tollesbury where a halt of half an hour was made to enable
members to look around the village and to sample the hospitality of the King's
Head Inn. In the comfortable lounge of this house are hung interesting
water-colour drawings by D. H. Burler showing architectural details of some
of the great historical houses of the county.
On leaving Tollesbury the coach was driven down a harrow and dusty
lane to Decoy Farm and members quickly made their way to the sea wall
where lunch was enjoyed and some time occupied in watching the shore
birds and in examining the decoy which was found to be quite dried up. A
further short drive was then taken to a spot on the road near Mell House
whence a walk along the disused railway line to the pier gave further oppor-
tunities of observing the plants and birds. Here also the blockhouse which
had been used to control the harbour defences was seen and considerable
interest was taken in watching the proceedings of a shooting party walking
up partridges on the stubbles and marsh. On regaining the coach, Mr. and
Mrs. Harley met the party and they were able to call attention to the fine view
which could be obtained through field glasses of the Saxon chapel of St.
Peter over four miles away across the estuary.
The coach was then taken to Maldon where tea was served at Wilesmith's
Restaurant. The meal over, Mr. W. Howard was elected chairman and a
formal meeting was held at which the following were elected members of the
club.
Mr. Charles R. G. Turk, of 10, Southern Way, Romford.
Mr. Clifford R. Turk, of the same address (junior member).
Short accounts of the day's observations having been given by Messrs.
Howard, Pratt and Bernard Ward, the Chairman then proposed a vote of
thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ward for their careful planning of the very
enjoyable meeting, remarking that, if this was an example of the way in which
field meetings would be planned by the new Excursions Secretaries, members
would have cause to congratulate themselves on obtaining their services.
The meeting adjourned at 5.45 p.m. and there was time for a short stroll
along the Hythe to admire the view of the old town in the light of the setting
sun before the coach left for home at 6.30 p.m.
Twenty-two species of birds were recorded during the excursion including
Redshank Curlew, Cormorant, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-headed
Gull, Common Gull and Heron on the marshes. Swallows and House-
martins were still to be seen in good numbers about the villages and a Little
Owl was observed at Writtle on the way home.
Butterflies were, as usual this season, very sparsely represented, only single
examples of the usual late summer species being seen in spite of the lovely
weather. Of the "Whites" scarcely a dozen specimens were seen, while a
single Clouded Yellow was reported by one member. A few Dragonflies
(Sympetrum striolatum) were also seen.
Mr. Howard reports that 89 species of wild flowers were recorded of which
the following are of special interest : Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus peltatus),
Sandspurrey (Spergularia marginata), Sea Aster (Aster Tripolium), Blue Flea-
bane (Erigeron acris), Carline Thistle (Carlina vulgaris). Ox-tongue (Picris
echioides), Hieracium boreale, Calamint (Calamintha Nepeta Savi.), Marsh
Samphire (Salicornia herbacea), Herbaceous Seablite (Suaeda maritima),
Pellitory of the Wall (Parietaria officinalis) and Cordgrass (Spartina stricta).