REPORTS OF MEETINGS 307
Field Meeting to Chigwell and Abridge (921st Meeting)
SATURDAY, 6 MAY 1950
Although the rain, which had fallen heavily most of the preceding night,
continued throughout the morning, twenty-two members and friends, suitably
garbed in rainproof clothing, met at Chigwell Station. The persistent
rain caused a very considerable adjustment of the day's plans and when the
party was complete they boarded a bus to Abridge, from which place a short
walk was taken up a side lane and across two very wet fields to a farm road
running along the side of a small wood. Along the way, the botanists noted
the flowering plants, and the ornithologists kept eyes and ears open for birds.
Reaching the end of the Woodside length of road, the way turned off to the
Parish Church of St. Mary and All Saints, Lambourne. Here Dr. R. Cur-
nock gave the members an interesting account of the church, which was built
about the middle of the twelfth century. It was, like so many churches in
the district, built without a chancel arch, but in the thirteenth century the
chancel was almost entirely rebuilt. Early in the sixteenth century, the timber-
framed bell turret was added, just as it was at Chigwell Church. Early in
the eighteenth century, the chancel and nave were largely remodelled, most
of the windows were renewed, the north and south doorways of the nave
were reset and blocked, and a timber porch and a gallery for the choir were
erected. On the north wall is an original Norman round-headed single
light window, now blocked and only visible from the outside. On the south
wall is a similar window which remains unblocked.
It was pointed out that the roof of the nave has a medieval king post
truss which was covered with plaster in the eighteenth-century restoration.
There is very choice German or Swiss glass dated between 1623 and 1637
in the south-west window of the chancel.
The five lights illustrate "The choice between good and evil", "The
adoration of the Magi", "Incredulity of St. Thomas", "The Annunciation",
"Christ and St. Peter on the sea", "Adoration of the Shepherds", "The
Virgin and Child and St. Anne", "St. Christopher", and a female saint.
There is a fine brass to Robert Barfitt and his wife Katheryn with figures
of a man in fur-lined gown, a woman in pedimental head-dress and groups—
one of five sons and the other of four sons and ten daughters. The shield
shows the arms of the Mercers' Company.
The scratch-dial originally on the jamb of the south doorway has now
almost disappeared, but the supposed pilgrims' crosses on the north door
were noted. The botanists observed and grew enthusiastic about the show
of Goldilocks (Ranunculus auricomus L.) growing amongst the grass in the
churchyard.
Thanks to the careful planning of the leader, protection from the still
persistent rain was obtained in a nearby barn, where, perched on the usual
paraphernalia of such places, members partook of their picnic lunches and
discussed Dr. Curnock's remarks about Lambourne Church, which could
be seen through the doorway of the barn. Before lunch was ended a
gleam of sunshine outside made the gloom of the interior of the barn even more
intense, and the party hurried over the remains of their repast to return to the
open air and enjoy the more cheerful prospects outside, despite the drizzle
still falling.
Returning by the same route to Abridge, some of the party explored a
short stretch of the River Roding for plants, whilst others less adventurous
sampled the tea provided in a nearby cafe. From Abridge, a short bus ride
to Pudding Lane was taken and the party then followed the main road to
Rolls Park, sometime the home of the Harvey family, an eminent member
of which was Dr. William Harvey, the discoverer of the circulation of the
blood. Here, outside the house, Dr. Curnock gave an account of the house,