REPORTS OF MEETINGS
79
Mr. E. Freeman, of Slade Close, Theydon Road, Epping.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Huggett, of 24, Greatfields Road, Barking.
Miss D. M. McClellan, of 6, Audley Court, Rivenhall Gardens South
Woodford, E.18.
A brief summary of the results of the grasses foray was given by Dr.
Alvin. Miss Male reported on the flowers encountered during the day and
entomological notes were provided by the President. Mrs. Harris, in speaking
about the birds seen and heard, drew attention to the promising nature of
Berwick Pond and suggested that a visit made earlier in the year might prove
very interesting.
Visit to Hadstock, Ashdon and Saffron Walden (999th Meeting)
SATURDAY, 21 JULY, 1956
This visit to the north-western corner of our county took the members
through Epping Forest and thence by Harlow through the picturesque
villages of Quendon and Newport. The route then lay through some charming
leafy lanes beyond Saffron Walden, finally emerging on a vast disused air-
field whose treeless expanse made a striking contrast to the lanes through
which we had just passed.
Following the marked route along the disused runways we appeared to be
travelling in vast circles without making any progress towards our destina-
tion, then a sharp turn took us past a small cluster of cottages and down
a steep hill to the village of Hadstock clustered around its minute triangular
green. Here we alighted from the conveyances and, walking up a side lane,
entered the Church, where the Rev. J. R. Holmes was awaiting our arrival.
The abundant evidence showing the probable Saxon origin of the Church
was pointed out and, after a brief dissertation by the Rector, members
explored the church and churchyard, viewing the unique Saxon north door
and a nest of bees which occupy the old south doorway and use the large
key-hole to enter the Church. The Rector also discussed the possibility of
this area being the site of the battle of Assundune which brought victory
to the invading Danes.
Leaving the Church after expressing our thanks to the Rector we returned
to the conveyances where it was decided to partake of lunch before proceeding
on our way. After lunch a brief but delightful walk was taken. This enabled
the botanists to get busy with notebooks and vascula and in a short while
no less than 180 species had been recorded including some extensive displays
of the Milk Vetch (Astragalus glycyphyllos) and a single plant of the Tall
Broomrape (Orobanche elatior), besides numerous other interesting species.
This richness of the flora caused the botanists some delay and they arrived at
the rendezvous to find that the majority of the party had departed on their
way to Ashdon through the village of Barlow, famous for its gigantic Romano-
British burial mounds.
In Ashdon the first section were in ample time to view the early seventeenth
century painted and decorated room of the Rose and Crown Inn but those
members who arrived later wondered if this room was the sole reason for the
visit to the ancient hostelry. Another short walk was then taken and this
enabled the straggling botanists to catch up with the main party just before
the church was entered.
The Rector, the Rev. W. R. Lane, welcomed the Club and pointed out the
many features of interest in the building including the handsome south
chapel. He also recounted the history of various church furnishings which