THE ESSEX FIELD CI.UB. 243 



his fire in the woods wlierever his services are wanted. His hut 

 consists of copse wood poles arranged in a circle inclined to 

 meet together at the top, with an aperture left for entrance, and 

 the whole is made rain-proof by covering with turfs. Within is 

 a couch of dry bracken and room for a fire, and here he lies at 

 night througli the severest weather. 



Charcoal is, and always must be, a material widely used, and, 

 ■unlike the now extinct potash industry, of which Dr. Laver gave 

 an account in a former paper, charcoal-burning must always be 

 carried on in well-wooded districts. Involving as it does the 

 services of men who, for the practice of tlieir calling, must 

 possess individual intelligence and physical hardiness, it is to be 

 hoped that along with the awakening interest in forestry, and 

 the probable re-afforesting of Essex land that ought never to have 

 been cleared, it may again develop into a thriving industry. 



THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB— REPORTS OF 



MEETINGS. 



A^'ISIT TO COLCHESTER AND THE WIGBOROUGH AND 



VIRLEY DISTRICTS. 



Monday, April 13TH, 1903. 



Colchester, which in the past has been the scene of many pleasant 

 gatherings of the Club, A\'as on Easter Monday the rendezvous of yet another 

 enjoyable meeting, the Club having reverted to the old custom of Bank Holiday 

 ■excursions. The weather was fairly bright but keenly cold. The London-side 

 members travelled down by the train arriving at about half-past ten, and at once 

 walked up to the new Town Hall, ^here Councillor Gurney Benham very 

 kindly conducted the party over the building, and pointed out and described the 

 many interesting pictuies, engravings, and art objects with which it is 

 ■decorated.-^ 



Luncheon was taken at the " Cups Hotel," Mr. F. W. Rudler, F.G.S., 

 President, in the chair, and at about half-past one the company started in a brake 

 for Virley, under the leadership of Mr. C. E. Benham and Mr. J. C. Shenstone, 

 F.L.S., the two members to whom the Club is indebted for the arrangement of 

 the meeting. A considerable contingent of lady and gentlemen cyclists 

 accompanied the party, and Dr. H. Laver, F.S.A., joined en route. 



Despite a somewhat keen wind, the ride into " Mehalah-land" })roved 

 interesting. As the carriage rattled along, the occupants were afforded pretty 

 views of the sunounding country, and over the brow of the hill past Wigborough 

 there came into sight the dreary stretch of marsh-land, \\hich showed that the 



I See Colchester's New Town Hall and Municipal Buildings. By Wilson Marriage and 

 W. Gurney Benham. 2nd edition. Colchester 1900. 



