XXXVUl PEOCEEDIIfGS OF THE 



PiELD MEETrNG, 24th June, 1880. 

 THUNDRIDGE AND FANHAMS HALL, WARE. 



At the place of meeting, Thundriclge Old Churcli, the members, 

 most of whom arrived by conveyances from Hertford, were received 

 by the Rev. T. Woodward, Enral Dean. 



The only part of the church remaining was seen to be the tower, 

 but this is, in itself and in its contents, of great archaeological 

 interest. From a fine example of Norman moulding, and other 

 indications, the church was inferred to date from about the year 

 1100. Mr. Cussans, in his 'History of Hertfordshire,' says that 

 it is about the oldest in this part of the county, but ' ' not a vestige 

 of the church itself now remains ; it is impossible even to trace its 

 foundations, as the entire churchyard, and the site of the building 

 itself, is covered with a rank and luxuriant growth of weeds," * 

 some portion of which had however been mown down for the 

 present visit. The old parish registers, dating from the year 1556, 

 were inspected ; and on the tower it was noticed that the Pelham 

 buckle twice occurred. The tombstones of the Gardiner family, to 

 which the manor of Thundridge once belonged, were also pointed out. 



In a meadow adjoining the churcliyard, several fine trees, 

 including hickories, American walnuts, and limes, attracted 

 attention, and then the party passed through the nursery-garden, 

 where, surrounded by underwood, stands the old kitchen-chimney 

 of Thundridge Bury, the summer residence of the monks of AYare 

 Priory before the Reformation. Passing between two of the four 

 moats from which the monks obtained their fish for fast-days, 

 some fine old elms were seen, and farther on, after crossing the 

 river Rib and entering Youngsbury Park, a group of very beautiful 

 poplars {Populus alba), an oak supposed to be about 800 years old, 

 and a Welli7igtonia gigantea, 80 years old, were noticed in succession. 



Returning then towards the old church across the two branches 

 of the Rib, in a meadow near to which the tuberous-rooted comfrey 

 {Symphytum tuberosum) was found, a path through the fields was 

 followed, somewhat hurriedly owing to an approaching storm, and 

 just as the rain commenced, Panhams Hall, the residence of Mr. 

 Croft, was reached. Here tea was provided, and after a hearty 

 vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Croft for their kind reception and 

 hospitality, the party dispersed, most of the members returning to 

 Hertford by way of Ware in the conveyances by which they had 

 arrived at Thundridge Old Church. 



Field Meeting, 10th July, 1880. 



COLE GREEN, T700LMERS, ESSENDON, AND HATFIELD PARK. 



The gravel-pit and brick-fields near Cole Green Station were first 

 visited, and it was remarlied that although the Chalk formed the 



* 'Hist. Herts, Braugliing Hundred,' p. 162. 



