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and laymen all had their say, and after a lengthy discussion on a 
_ tombstone outside, the general opinion was that the top storey 
__ was of very late date, but that the lower stages were 15th century 
work, and that Robert Poyntz may have built it. An ascent of 
the tower was made, whence was a lovely view of the surrounding 
country. After lunch, kindly provided at the Rectory, Acton 
_ Court the former residence of the Actons, was visited, the peculiar 
feature of which is the fine oak newel staircase. During the day 
the origin of the words Iron Acton was discussed, and there 
seemed to be very little doubt that the family derived their name 
from the place, and not the name of the place from the family, 
the word Acton signifying the town of the oak tree, from the 
Saxon Ac, an oak. The word iron, of course, was easily accounted 
for. After thanking the Rector and his lady for their courteous 
hospitality, a short walk through the Berens grounds conducted 
the members to the train. 
WALKS. 
The extremely wet season has very much hindered the 
members from their usual walks; several however have been 
organised by Mr. Herdman, who has sent to the Secretary a 
short record of them. One arranged by Mr. Skrine round 
the Manor of Forde was very successful, and took place on the 
9th May. The object was to illustrate his paper read to the 
Club on the 15th March, 1882, and the following notes have 
A een kindly supplied by Mr. Skrine :— 
qi Excursion Round the Manor of Forde.—The Club met by invitation 
at Bathford Bridge on Tuesday, May 9th, 1882, to take this walk 
under the guidance of Mr. Skrine. It was a lovely day, and 
the air fresh and the party was numerous. The inscription on the 
bridge was noticed, and the Quakers’ Burial Ground in the Paradise 
c lose, for which name a suggestive origin had been given in the paper 
ecently read to the Club. The members then proceeded up the 
pleasant lane which is here the boundary of the Manor, formerly called 
F 
