Journal of Proceedings. clxxxvii
Saturday, May 15th, 1886. Forest Ramble.
The members met at the Theydon Bois station about three o'clock,
and a very pleasant forest ramble was taken under the guidance of Prof.
Boulger and the Secretary. The route taken was past Theydon Church,
up Piercing Hill, and so over the beautiful Epping Thicks to the " Green
Hide." The usual forest plants were noticed; but although the afternoon
was fine and bright, the weather was too cold for insects. Under the
shade of a large beech the members listened to a very pleasant chatty
discourse from Prof. Boulger on Forest Trees, entitled " Anecdotae
Arboreae." On the motion of the President, Mr. T. V. Holmes, a very
cordial vote of thanks was passed to Prof. Boulger for his interesting
address. Ambresbury Banks was visited, and the site of the Club's
excavations pointed out, and the methods and results of the investiga-
tions explained. Tea was taken at the " Wake Arms." In the evening
a very enjoyable moonlight walk to Loughtou and Buckhurst Hill was
taken through Monk Woods and over Cowper's Camp, Debden Slade, &c.
Several botanical and entomological members were of the party, but
we have no records of their observations.
Saturday, June 26th, 1886. Meeting in the West Ham
District.*
A Field and Ordinary Meeting was held on the above afternoon by
the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Royle, who had for the second time
invited the Club to " The Cedars." A large number of the members
assembled at Stratford Station at half-past two, and walked by Vicarage
Lane (called Ass House Lane in Rocque's Map, 1711) through West Ham
Park, entering the grounds of Mr. Royle by their private gate.
On assembling by the terrace it was announced that visits would be
paid to the parish church and to the Industrial and Art Exhibition
which was then open. Before starting Mr. Walter Crouch had promised
to give them a short account of the Parish and Park. The following is
a summary of his remarks :—
The parish of West Ham contains over 1,667 acres, and originally
consisted of a village around the church, and the three hamlets, Stratford,
Plaistow and Upton. It is now densely populated, the number at the
last census (1881) being 128,953, which is largely due to the Victoria
and Albert Docks, the Beckton Gas Works, the Thames Ironworks at
Canning Town, and a host of factories which have been founded in the
Marshes at Stratford and down to the Thames. Since last year it returns
two members to Parliament, and before the year is out will be incor-
porated as a Borough and be ruled by a Mayor.
The church dedicated to All Saints is large, consisting of nave and
* We are indebted to Mr. Crouch for the major portion of this report.—Ed.