Some people were slightly disappointed that they had
not seen any deer yet, but it was pointed out that luck
and patience play a large part in any deer-watching exercise.
We then proceeded to Brentwood, where lunch was taken.
Afterwards, the party split to go round a private estate.
All had good views of the fallow deer living there, but no
bucks presented themselves to us, though they were known to
be in the vicinity.
Further refreshments were then taken, and a discussion
followed on the distribution of deer in Essex, with the
Survey Maps providing the focal point.
Brian Eastcott
September 27th. Isle of Sheppey. (Geology Group)
Thirty members and visitors assembled at Sheerness
station for the Group's visit to the Isle of Sheppey. It
was decided that lunch should be taken before the serious
work of the day was done; this would give the tide time to
go out from the cliffs.
Lunch over, the party all assembled at Warden Point,
where a descent of the cliff was made and the beach reached.
Soon everyone had staked their claim to a bit of the fore-
shore, and the great hunt was under way. It was not long
before finds were being reported: sharks' teeth, seeds and
fruits of tropical plants and trees, fossil crabs, crocodile
and turtle remains, as well as bones of birds, etc. In fact,
a good variety of fossils were collected. (See centre pages).
The weather and conditions were perfect, and we are
pleased to state that no-one stuck in the mud. In this
respect we were fortunate, as this particular section of
the cliffs cannot always be relied upon to be as safe as it
was on this occasion.
When everyone had had enough, the ascent to the cars at
the top of the cliff commenced, where tea was taken, and,
after a vote of thanks to the leader, the meeting closed.
Ron Coates
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