XXX VI. THE VALLEY OF WINTERBOURNE. 



FIRST SUMMER MEETING. 



THE VALLEY OF THE NORTH-EASTERN WINTERBOURNE. 

 Tuesday, June 30th. 



For this year's opening meeting in the country the 

 Valley of the North-Eastern Winter bourne was selected, 

 Blandford railway station being the rendezvous. The 

 gathering numbered upwards of 70, and included the 

 President, the Hon. Secretary, the Editor, and our ex- 

 Treasurer (Captain Elwes). With the exception of a small 

 shower at starting, the weather was fine all through the 

 day. 



WINTERBOURNE STICKLAND 



was the first halt, and here the carriages were met by a small 

 contingent who had come by cars. On alighting the party 

 entered the church. The Rector (the Rev. G. H. Matthews) 

 was unavoidably absent ; but he had thoughtfully left 

 some notes which he had written about the church. In 

 these he stated that the tower and nave were of about the 

 date 1470 ; but the east window, of three lights, is Early 

 English. 



In the side chapel the party viewed the large tomb of the Skinner family, 

 one Thomas Skinner having died in 1756. The Rev. R. GROSVENOR BARTELOT 

 called attention to the mural tablet bearing an heraldic shield, the dexter side 

 void, the sinister side charged with a crossbow between four choughs, probably 

 the arms of a former rector of the name of Highmore, whose daughter married 

 a husband having no coat of arms. The Communion plate was exhibited, 

 the chalice bearing the date 1688. Mr. ALFRED PorE said a few words on 

 the rude sculpture of the ancient Rood in the church porch, discovered during 

 the restoration of 1890, with the face side hidden in the east wall of the porch. 

 It is thought to be the head of the old village cross, the base of which is still 

 to be seen in tho roadway. 



