W00llj0pB JJaturalists' jft^lb Club, 



August 29th, 1879. 



TTTHE fourth field meeting of this Club was held on Friday, 29th August, on 

 X the Radnorshire Hills, near Hay. The members from Hereford left the 



Barton station by the first train for Hay. On arriving there soon after 

 ten o'clock, they were joined by the President (who was staying in the neighbour- 

 hood), and the local members. Carriages were in waiting at the station, and a 

 start was immediately made for the proposed route. Mr. E. H. Cheese, of Hay, 

 kindly undertook to pioneer the party, and from his local knowledge was enabled 

 to afford much information to the Club. After crossing the Wye by the fine 

 iron bridge at Hay, and passing the picturesque village of Clyro, the party arri- 

 ved at Court Evan Gwyn, where the remains of an old border fortalice were exam- 

 ined. Thence ascending the steep sides of Clyro Hill, at the highest point of the 

 road, a magnificent view was obtained of the surrounding country for many miles. 

 The plain of Herefordshire, ijounded by the Malvern and Glee Hills on the one 

 side, and the valley of the Wye lying beneath, with its grand background of the 

 Black Mountains, and the Brecon Beacons on the other hand, formed a panorama 

 that will not readily be forgotten, and was thoroughly appreciated by the party, 

 one of whom exclaimed, " Call this Italy, and the whole world would come to see 

 it ! " It is indeed a magnificent prospect that may be seen from those roads and 

 pathways over Clyro Hill, stretching as it does from the Shropshire Clees to the 

 Carmarthenshire Vans. After a halt to enjoy this view, the descent was made 

 into the valley where the well-known bog of Rhos Goch lies. After visiting the 

 site of another stronghold of bygone days the party separated — some going to ex- 

 plore the bog, and the others up a steep hill to Bryngwyn Church. Here at this 

 quaint old Welsh Church the party were received by the Incumbent, the Rev. 

 Mr. Hughes, who courteously showed what there was of interest. The Church 

 has been recsntly and very handsomely restored, chiefly owing to the exertions 

 of Mr. Hughes. There is an interesting old cross in the churchyard, and what 

 appears to be the cover of a stone coffin or tomb let into the wall of the porch. 

 A very old yew is standing near the cross. A valuable gold coin, supposed to be 

 a Burgundian noble, of the 14th century, was found in the earth of the floor of 

 this Church when it was being repaired, and extracts from Mr. Banks's pamphlet 

 about it were read by Canon Bevan and Mr. Cheese. This coin belongs to Mr. 

 R. W. Banks, who had kindly sent it for exhibition. It is in fine preservation, 



