21 .
examples of Butcher's Broom in flower and the
unusual plant Leopardsbane were seen. Reaching
the churchyard there was a lot of Winter
Aconite which must have given a good display
earlier in the year, also Primroses, some of
which were a very delicate shade of pink -
although these could have been garden escapes.
After a brief visit to the Church (c.1300)
cut short by the imminent commencement of the
afternoon service we retraced our steps. We
stayed only long enough to see the notable
15th Century wall paintings and to have a few
words here and there. One young person will
remember his visit very well ... he was allowed
to toll the bell.
For the benefit of our rail enthusiasts
(and I think we have a few), the branch line is
now quite defunct. The bridges which carried
the single line track over both the Ashdon and
the Shudy Camp roads have been demolished. The
track and ballast has been removed "in toto",
as have all trackside signs and signals, posts
and poles, there are no gradient indicators
and no mileposts. In the seven or eight fur-
longs covered I saw only three things which
would be a clue to the cognoscente of the
future:
1. one rusty metal chair-key,
2. one corroded metal Menu stand which
may have been thrown by a vandal from the
Restaurant car of a "Special" or "Excursion"
diverted via Bartlow as it passed from the
Central Section (London-Cambs) to the Eastern
Section (London-Colch).
3. One remaining fragment of lineside
equipment - a heavy cast-iron pivot or turning-
boss (probably for a reverse motion bellcrank).
It bore a foundry mark thus:
McK & H
W
G.E.R. 79