REPORTS OF MEETINGS
219
M. T. Fawcett, the Head Ranger, Mr. L. F. Newman, M.A., F.R.I.C,
F.S.A., of the Local Committee for this National Trust property, and
Mr. Fielding. Honorary Secretary of the Bishop's Stortford Natural
History Society. The party then broke up into small groups to explore
what they could of these 1,049 acres of rolling, timbered country,
part of the ancient royal forest of Essex, which had been donated to the
National Trust in the main in 1924 by Mr. E. North Buxton.
This was the Club's fifth visit and notes on the previous visits were
distributed in order that comparisons in the flora and fauna could be
made. Picnic lunch was taken near the Shell House on the lakeside
and tea at The Chestnuts in Takely. After tea a formal meeting of
the Club was held in the garden adjoining and Mr. B. T. Ward was
elected to the chair. After nominations of new members had been read,
the following were elected to membership of the Club: —
Mr. and Mrs. J. Campbell, of 3, Wembley Cottages, London, E.15.
Mr. D. S. Davis, of 56, Altmore Avenue, London, E.6.
Mr. R. F. Williams, of 155, Marine Parade. Leigh-on-Sea.
The Chairman then invited Mr. Newman to address the meeting and
in a most interesting and informative talk he spoke not only of the
flora and fauna of the Forest, but also of the history, customs and
lore of this ancient royal forest. Mrs. Harris, speaking of the birds,
commented on the surprising lack of bird life but mentioned Sedge-
Warbler, Reed-Bunting and Nightingale.
The lichens, recorded by Dr. Alvin, numbered forty (including five
new county or vice-county records) compared with thirty recorded by
Miss Lister in 1924. A separate account of the Lichens of Hatfield
Forest by Dr. Alvin appears on page 166. Twenty mosses and four liver-
worts were recorded by Mr. Pettifer, and this was considered good for
this area of the country.
Mr. A. C. Wheeler commented on the mammals, reptiles and amphib-
ians. Many members had seen the badgers' sett on the gravel outcrop
above the boulder-clay—a well used sett as evidenced by the tracks
leading to the cover of nearby trees, although the sett itself was sur-
prisingly clear of any cover. Miss Male and Mr. Bernard Ward com-
mented on the flowering plants, mentioning in particular the Small-
flowered Buttercup (Ranunculus parviflorus).
WEALD PARK GRASS FORAY (1020th MEETING)
Saturday, June 28th, 1958
In spite of unpromising weather, some thirty members foregathered
at South Weald village. Soon after 11 o'clock the party entered the
park by the footpath just east of the church.
Most of the common species of grasses were found on the short
walk northwards to the lake. In the marsh at the eastern end of the
lake, Scirpus sylvaticus was seen in beautiful flowering condition. Also