REPORTS OF MEETINGS
221
Mrs. G. Grigg, of 20, Grove Road, South Woodford, E.18, was elected
to membership.
Mr. E. F. Williams spoke of the butterflies which had been seen.
Living specimens of the Small and Essex Skippers were exhibited. These
had been taken on Woodham Walter Common, where both species
were present in numbers. Two freshly emerged specimens of the Comma
had been seen in Blake's Wood and one taken. This living example
was also exhibited and afterwards released. It settled on the jacket of
a member—a botanist!— and then flew away. Meadow Browns. Ringlets
and Small and Large Garden Whites had been seen in abundance. It
was disappointing that none of the Fritillaries were present; the White
Admiral was also missing.
Mr. Pettifer reported that twenty Mosses and five Hepatics had been
recorded, none of which were unexpected. A search was made unsuccess-
fully for Trichocolea tomentella, which was recorded by Varenne in
the Essex Naturalist, 1862; it has, however, been seen by members
of the Club on Woodham Walter Common during recent years.
Mr. Ward reported the Sea Club Rush (Scirpus maritimus) in the
pond at Eve's Corner, 300 feet above sea level! On Woodham Walter
Common the Lily of the Valley was everywhere abundant and the
Marsh Fern (Thelypteris palustris) was seen. The Durmast Oak (Quercus
petraea) is locally dominant on the Common.
VISIT TO AUDLEY END AND SAFFRON WALDEN
(1022nd MEETING)
Sunday, September 14th, 1958
A full coach-load of members attended this meeting and were very
fortunate in having one of the few days of perfect weather which
occurred during this very wet summer.
The party was taken straight to Audley End House where arrange-
ments had been made for them to be shown round the great mansion.
Our guide was a pensioner whose fund of anecdote and humour added
interest to his description of the many fine pictures and furniture
with which the state rooms are replete. Even those members who had
visited the house before were very glad to have this opportunity of
renewing their acquaintance with its treasures. The mansion and grounds
are now in the charge of the Ministry of Works and Lord Braybrook
whose home it was. has permitted his furniture and pictures to remain
for the enjoyment of visitors.
On leaving the mansion the members picknicked in small parties
along the banks of the lake, formed in the grounds by damming the
little River Granta and there was time to look at the fine trees, the
rose garden and the Tudor stables which are now residences.