308
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
which was built in the early seventeenth century, and its past occupants, before
proceeding, under the guidance of Mr. Holbeach, a descendant of the Harvey
family, to inspect the now very dilapidated premises. The present condition
of the building is largely due to the treatment received whilst the house was
requisitioned by the military and considerable regret was expressed that the
system in vogue was such as to allow such a state of affairs to continue. At
Rolls Park several other members of the Club joined the party which now
numbered over thirty. After leaving the Park the route lay towards Chigwell
and the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, where Mr. Erith, of the Essex Records
Office, gave an account of the building and its history. The present south
aisle was the orginal twelfth-century nave and chancel. Late in the fifteenth
century the north arcade and north aisle were built, and the fine large timber-
framed bell-turret added. The very interesting brass of Samuel Harsnett,
Archbishop of York 1631, shows the bearded figure in mitre, cope, and rochett
with book and crozier. The large number of hatchments were explained
and shown to be of families living in the parish, many of which were those of
merchants who had retired from the City of London.
Leaving the church, the party then crossed the road to the Grammar
School, founded by Archbishop Harsnett in 1629, where, under the guidance
of the school captain, the original classrooms of the school and some other
parts of interest were inspected. Steps were then directed to a nearby cafe,
where the members sat down to a very welcome tea. A formal meeting of the
Club was called at the close of this function, at which the following were
elected to membership:
Mr. W. J. Byford (junior member), of 72, Oakdale Road, Leytonstone,
E.11.
Miss M. E. Gorick, of 38, Kimberley Road, Chingford, E.4.
Miss E. M. Fox, of 113, Mayfield Road, Becontree.
Mr. Richard Ward then gave an account of the birds seen during the day
and Mr. William Howard, who acted as Chairman for the meeting, commented
on the flowers seen. The meeting then dispersed, the members making their
own way to their respective homes under the bright evening sky.
Mr. Howard reports that, although heavy rain hindered close searching,
forty-nine plants in flower were recorded.
The occurrence upon old walls in Chigwell of Rue-leaved Saxifrage
(Saxifraga tridactylites L.), Ivy-leaved Toad flax (Linaria cymbalaria (L.)
Mill.) and Wall Speedwell (Veronica arvensis L.) was of special interest.
Field Meeting at Margaretting (922nd Meeting)
SATURDAY, 20 MAY 1950
A party of twenty members met at the "Black Bull," Margaretting. Rain
threatened as Mrs. P. V. Upton led the party up to Park Lodge, and the
first of the small woods selected for the day.
On entering Chapel Wood, the chorus of bird song became evident.
Willow-Warblers, Chaffinches, Robins, and Blackbirds mixed with Nightin-
gales, Garden-Warblers, and Blackcaps. Careful listening was necessary to
distinguish the varying notes in this "flowery, green, bird singing land".
As the party proceeded, Mrs. Upton pointed out the various nests already
located, and gave some of the history of each nest. Lunch was taken in
Kings Wood, where the depredations of the Grey Squirrel were noted, some
small trees being destroyed by the bark-stripping activities of this animal.
After lunch, unsuccessful efforts were made to see a pair of tree-nesting
Mandarin ducks which seem to have taken up residence on a small pond.
Passing into Bakers Wood, and through the grounds of Coptfold Hall,
Tree Creepers and Spotted Flycatchers were noted, and the work of a Greater