58 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Leyhill Common, stones on the trackway being seen outside the Hen and
Chickens Inn at Botley House Gate, and in the farmyard of Tames Farm.
Leyhill Common, a pleasant open place was reached, and lunch taken, some
members favouring the nearby inn, whilst others preferred the natural sur-
roundings of the common.
After lunch the coach proceeded along the pleasant lanes until Games Farm
House was reached, where Dr. Rudge invited the party to inspect a stone in
the grounds. Some amusement and consternation was caused by the owner
pointing out that there were several more Puddingstones near the entrance
gate, but it was satisfactorily confirmed that originally the spot had been a
dumping-ground, and serenity returned. The coach then made an unavoidable
detour from the line of the trackway through Bovingdon village, in the vicinity
of which there is a considerable outcrop of conglomerate, and specimens were
indicated at Rent Street Barns, Bulstrode crossroads and Towerhill. The coach
further detoured by Chipperfield, King's Langley and Nash Mills to meet the
track again at the River Gade crossing, where a stone was pointed out behind
the Red Lion Inn. The coach halted in front of Abbotshill, and Dr. Rudge
remarked on the curious coincidence that the trackway ran through the estate
which until 1908 belonged to the late Sir John Evans, noted archaeologist and
founder of the Hertfordshire Naturalist Society.
The northern valley was followed by Bunkers Lane, where stones were
pointed out which Dr. Rudge confessed to puzzle him. He concluded that
they were either an outcrop or had rolled from the hill slope above, along the
top of which the trackway ran. The Corner House Farm Stone on the St.
Albans road was next seen, and the coach was halted outside Praa Wood while
Dr. Rudge discoursed on the history of the site in relation to the town of St.
Albans. The present town was the fifth city to be built in the area. The site of
Praa Wood was originally the capital of the Belgic prince, Cassivelaunas, in
50 b.c. An early Roman city built in the vicinity was sacked by Boudicca, but
another was later erected nearer the present town. After the end of the Roman
conquest decay set in until the Dark Ages, when St. Albans again became a
place of importance.
The coach then entered St. Albans and was halted in the centre of the later
Roman city. Members were left to themselves to look around, and nearly all
managed to visit the Roman Theatre, where a conglomerate stone was ob-
served in the ruins of the Triumphal Arch, and the Hypocaust. It was now tea-
time, and the party having been completed by the arrival of Mr. and Mrs.
Richard Ward, members proceeded to Waterend Barn in St. Peter's Street,
only to find that they could not be accommodated there. After some delay in
rounding up all the party, the coach proceeded to the Corner Cafe on the
Barnet By-pass where a welcome tea was enjoyed by everyone. A short formal
meeting followed, Mr. E. F. Williams being elected to the chair. The following
were elected to membership of the Club:
Miss J. E. Brown, of 1 Heath Road, Ipswich, Suffolk.
Mr. Paul Major, of 2 Lee Avenue, Chadwell Heath.
Mr. P. J. Relph (junior member), of 92 Princes Road, Buckhurst Hill.
Thanks were then accorded to Dr. Rudge for arranging and leading a most
enjoyable and instructive journey.
The coach then started homeward, members descending to view the Wild-
hill Stone, a large and impressive example lying prone in a field east of Mill-
ward Park. The journey then continued by an Iron Age camp at Tyler's Cause-
way to Newgate Street, Darnacle Hill, and Appleby Street. The sites of two
stones which formerly stood at the bottom of Digdag Hill and at the roadside
at Flamstead End, were pointed out.
Cheshunt was reached, and thence Waltham Abbey, where in the failing
light the coach halted and Dr. Rudge related the legend of the Waltham Abbey
Stone, which, unfortunately, is too long to be repeated here. The coach then
finally made its way to Wanstead Station where members disembarked,