73
Report of Council for 1956
This year has been remarkable in the long history of the Club. In Sep-
tember the 1,000th Meeting was led by Mr. Bernard T. Ward when a
pilgrimage was made to the homes and hunting grounds of some of the
famous naturalists of the County.
Six other Field Meetings have been held and provided opportunity for study
in many parts of the countryside. This Club exists for "—the study of the
Natural History, Geology and Archaeology of the County of Essex—" and it
must never be forgotten that the Field Meetings are the mainstay of that
purpose.
An outstanding point in our history was passed on May '21st, when the new
Agreement with the Corporation of West Ham on the management of the
Museum and Libraries was completed. It was agreed that the ownership of
the Museum collection and Library should be vested in a Board of Governors
consisting of four members appointed by the Corporation, three members
appointed by the Club and one member appointed by the Museums Associa-
tion ; that a full-time Curator should be appointed and employed by the
Corporation; and that the privileges of the Club members in the use of the
Museum and Library should be safeguarded.
In August, Mr. Kenneth Marshall, B.A., was appointed to the post of
Curator. The Chief Education Officer of West Ham in his capacity of Clerk
to the Governors provides the Council of the Club with a report of each
quarterly meeting of the Governors and we record with satisfaction that the
new system is working smoothly. The enthusiasm of Mr. Marshall and the
officers of the Corporation gives promise that the long record of the Museum
in service to the community will be continued and steadily improved.
Under the new Agreement the Borough Librarian of West Ham acts as
Honorary Librarian to the Museum Governors, consequently it no longer
falls to the Club to appoint an Honorary Librarian. The Council wishes to
place on record its grateful appreciation of the twenty-one years of devoted
service in this office given by Mr. C. Hall Crouch.
The Epping Forest Museum, under the loving care of Mr. Bernard T.
Ward, continues to attract an encouraging number of visitors and the further
improvement of the collections more than justifies the toil expended by Mr.
Ward who is still most ably assisted by Mr. ,T. Boss in the display of wild
flowers.
The Club membership figure remains steady at 209. Fifteen new members
were elected. Twelve members resigned for various reasons. Three members
deceased. Mr. W. T. Foster, LL.B., Mr. W. E. Gaze. M.P.S., and Mr. C. B.
Russell, J.P., who joined the Club in 1888.
There is an appreciable number of young people interested in the affairs
of the Club and there are signs of an increasing interest in the Natural History
of our County by School and College organisations. This trend should be
carefully fostered through individual and affiliated group membership. An
age of specialization is upon us and this Club can do much to widen the
vision of the younger field worker.
The Hon. Editor, Mr. C. Bignell Pratt, has maintained the high standard
of our journal "The Essex Naturalist" as a source of erudite comment on the
county flora, fauna and antiquities.
We are fortunate to enjoy the benefit of the shrewd advice and broad
outlook of Mr. E. F. Williams as our Hon. Treasurer and he now has the
valuable assistance of Mr. G. W. Hurrell. The statement of account will
demonstrate a satisfactory financial position.