REPORTS OF MEETINGS 117
Visit to London Zoo (945th Meeting)
SUNDAY, 23 MARCH, 1952
A goodly party of members met at the Main Entrance of the Gardens at
10.30 a.m. and were admitted on Fellows' tickets kindly provided by Mr.
Williams and other members.
The members then split up into groups of their own choosing, and the day
was spent as fancy dictated in studying the animals. The various groups
met at intervals during their tour of the Gardens and in the restaurants
for refreshments. According to accounts received, the day was enjoyed by
all, but it is not possible to report the meeting fully as would have been
the case if a conducted tour had been arranged.
The Annual General Meeting (946th Meeting)
SATURDAY, 29 MARCH, 1952
This meeting was held at the West Ham Municipal College. The chair
was taken by the President, Mr. L. S. Harley, and in spite of blizzard
conditions of weather, there were thirty-eight members present.
The following were elected to membership: —
Mr. G. C. H. Clark, a.r.i.c, and
Mrs. L. Clark, both of "Perros", Holmwood Avenue, Shenfield.
Miss J. G. Bennett and
Miss M. G. Bennett, both of 49, Algers Road, Loughton.
The report of the Council printed in The Essex Naturalist, Vol. 29,
Part, I, was taken as read.
The minutes of the last Annual Meeting were read and, having been
confirmed, were signed by the President.
The Treasurer, Mr. P. Wickson, then read his report. He spoke of his
increased realisation of the gap left by the retirement of Mr. Percy
Thompson who had served and advised the Club so well for such a long
period. He then referred to the recent increase of the activities of the
Club and to the problems set by this increase in times of financial stress.
He then read the accounts, which showed a considerable excess of expendi-
ture over income during the year. On the motion of Mrs. Hatley, the
accounts were adopted by the meeting.
The President then read the list of officers and members of Council
nominated for election at the February meeting. No further nominations
having been made, he declared them duly elected.
Mr. Foster then took the chair, and the President delivered his address
entitled "New Judgments on 'The Old Straight Track'". On the con-
clusion of the address an opportunity was afforded for discussion, and the
many questions asked gave ample evidence of the interest in the subject
(see p. 63).
Ramble in Epping Forest (947th Meeting)
SUNDAY, 27 APRIL, 1952
Some forty members and friends gathered at Loughton Garage at 11 a.m.
for the walk through the Forest which is usually held at this time of Spring
bird song.
The day was mild and sunny—warm enough to permit long pauses in
comfort, yet not too hot for walking—and the Forest was seen in one of
its most beautiful moods. The beeches were just breaking into leaf, some
with leaves fully unfolded, others with only a few buds showing the green
fans of opening leaves.
The party first visited the Goldings Hill ponds, and hereabouts a con-
siderable time was spent in listening to the songs of birds which, as is usual
here, were to be heard on every side. Blackcap, Garden-Warbler and
Willow-Warbler were in evidence, but some disappointment was felt that
the Nightingale was not heard in its usual haunts around the ponds.