REPORTS OF MEETINGS
287
Tea was taken at the Dainteas Cafe, Danbury, followed by an
informal meeting on the lawn; the President, Mr. E. F. Williams, took
the Chair. The President gave an account of the entomological finds
of the day, Mr. B. T. Ward commented on the flowering plants, and
Mr. Eric Saunders spoke about the mosses found. Summing up the
day's finds, there was nothing of outstanding importance, although the
highlight appears to have been the discovery of an active Badger sett
in Blake's Wood, and a nearby nest of the wasp, Vespa vulgaris, dug
out by them. On Lingwood Common two Adders and a Common Lizard
were seen. Birds noted included Green Woodpecker, several Bullfinches,
Linnet, Yellow Hammer, and Long-tailed Tit.
Saturday, 12th September 1959
Meeting at Blake Hall. Forty-four members and friends accepted
the kind invitation of Major G. N. Capel-Cure, T.D., J.P., D.L., the
Vice-Lieutenant of Esses, and Mrs. Capel-Cure, to visit their home.
The Hall, which is in the parish of Bobbingworth or Bovinger, has
been in the possession of the family since 1780, the present owner being
the fifth generation. It was originally a Queen Anne Manor House.
It is always a pleasure to see works of art anywhere, but how much
more enjoyable it is to have them shown by one's hosts in such pleasant
circumstances. After seeing the house and gardens, the latter sadly
affected by the prolonged drought, the meeting visited the adjacent
parish church, where we were met by the Rector, Canon E. H. Gallop,
M.A. He pointed out the principal features of interest, in particular
the fine early 16th century Istrian stone Madonna, which Major Capel-
Cure has had installed in memory of his father and mother. After
thanking Canon Gallop we returned to the Hall for tea, a last look
round the house and grounds, and so home.
We record our thanks to our hosts for a most interesting and
instructive day.
Sunday, 11th October 1959
Fungus Foray in Epping Forest. This annual excursion in the
Forest was, as usual, well attended, nearly fifty members and friends
assembling for tea and the display of specimens arranged by the
Leader—Mrs. D. Boardman. The main party assembled at Loughton
Station, and collecting parties lead by Mr. C. B. Pratt and Mr. Donald
Chapman, moved off from this point. Having spent the major part of
the day collecting they returned to The Gardeners' Arms, Loughton,
with a very good sample of the Forest fungi considering the dry season
that 1959 had been. Mrs. Boardman reports that forty-two species were
brought in by the parties, of which Pholiota aurivella, Trametes mollis,
Hydnum erinaceus and Lentinus cochleatus are worthy of special note,
the latter two species not having apparently been recorded since 1938.
A third party which had started off from Chingford Station led by
Mr. Bernard T. Ward had been collecting and studying Mycetozoa in
the Forest. As with the fungi, the Mycetozoa had been affected by the
long, hot, dry summer, and the resulting list was not as varied nor as
long as usual.