REPORTS OF MEETINGS
137
Visit to Great Yeldham (1010th Meeting)
SATURDAY, 20 JULY, 1957
It is a matter for regret that there was such a small attendance for an
interesting and enjoyable field meeting in a part of Essex which has not
received many visits from the Club. A delightful coach run through Great
Bardfield and Finchingfield was varied slightly to pass through Castle Heding-
ham instead of Stambourne. In Great Yeldham a momentary glimpse of the
famous Oak tree at the centre of the three cross-ways (see paper by J. C.
Shenstone of '23rd June. 1894, B.N. VII p. 104) was had as the coach passed.
Stopping at the foot of the rise on which the church stands the botanists of
the party were soon busy but as it was necessary to keep to our timetable they
had reluctantly to drag themselves away to meet the Rector, the Rev. Godwin
at the Church door. Inside the Rector drew attention to the salient points of
the building and invited the party to explore the church for themselves. A
few of the more adventurous of whom climbed to the bell-chamber to
inspect the bells and to view the surrounding countryside from the parapet
of the tower. Others saw the figures of saints painted on the dado to the
screen and the canopied brass.
Concluding the brief inspection of the Church and its features the party
adjoined to the adjacent Rectory where lunch was taken beneath a fine
example of a Pendent Silver Lime (Tilia petiolaris D.C.) and helped down by
bowls of fresh lettuce and cups of tea kindly provided by the Rev. and Mrs.
Godwin. A light but steady rain commenced just as lunch began but beneath
the spacious canopy of this fine tree little discomfort was felt by the party.
After lunch some members investigated the trees and other flora of the
Rectory garden including a tree which resembled an Ash but which from
specimens collected and identified later was found to be an example of Sophora
japonica L. A number of other exotic trees in the garden included some False
Acacias (Robinia pseudacacia L.) various Maples and Horse Chestnuts together
with some flowering trees of the Rosaceae. In the churchyard Plantago media
L., Thymus drucei Ronn., Galium erectum Huds., and Calamintha ascendens
Jord., were noted.
The opportunity was taken to inspect the Rectory which is a timber
framed building of about the loth century containing some fine rooms and an
extensive kitchen. Bidding farewell to our kind host and hostess after Mr.
T. Bartrop on behalf of the party had expressed thanks for our hospitable
reception we took a fieldpath walk in the direction of Toppesfield. Unfortu-
nately the rain, which now seemed to have set in for the afternoon, became
steadily heavier and it was deemed advisable to cut short the walk and
return by a circular route to Great Yeldham omitting Toppesfield from the
itinerary. Once back in the village we had the pleasure of visiting, by kind
invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas-Hughes, the historic house of Spaynes
Hall. Our hosts had kindly laid out for our inspection and perusal many of
the deeds and documents relating to this property. Mr. Hughes kindly gave
a brief resume of the history of the house and its past owners and occupants.
We then inspected the charming rooms and furnishings on the ground floor
and subsequently had the pleasure of seeing the delightful garden which,
despite the continuous rain, was ablaze with many coloured flowers. Taking
our leave of our hosts we regained the coach and speedily covered the miles
to the old Market Town of Braintree where tea was taken at the ancient
coaching inn "The White Hart".
During the meeting the following were elected to membership of the
Club:—